The Terran ran lightly down the narrow room to the second door, which
gave on the lower pits beneath and the way to the arena. As he took
that dark way, he drew his stun gun. Its bolt was intended to render
the victim unconscious, not to kill. But what effect it might have on
the giant reptiles was a question he hoped he would not be forced to
answer, and he paused now and then to listen.
There were sounds, deceptive sounds. Noises as regular as footfalls,
like a distant padded running. The aliens returning? Or the things
they had gone to hunt? Raf crept on--out into the sunshine which
filled the arena.
For the first time he studied the enclosure and recognized it for what
it was--a place in which savage and bloody entertainments could be
provided for the population of the city--and it merely confirmed his
opinion of the aliens and all their ways.
The temptation to explore the city was strong. He eyed the grilles
speculatively. They could be climbed--he was sure of that. Or he could
try some other of the various openings about the sanded area. But as
he hesitated over his choice, he heard something from behind.
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