Read "When Freemen Shall Stand" by Nelson S. Bond online for free on Textopian. Full text with search, annotations, highlights, and AI-powered reading aids.
In the moments that followed, Steve Duane could feel his mantle of "godhood" slipping from him; its loss was plain to be seen in the eyes of the Women who were his companions.
He had no doubt that, given their own choice, Jain's warriors would have died then and there rather than submit to the Venusians' bonds. His conciliatory policy had caused him to "lose face" before these battle-scarred veterans. Beth did not like it, nor did Chuck Lafferty approve. Lafferty argued hotly, "It's one thing to walk into their town, Steve, but it's another to be _toted_ in like a trussed duck! There's only six of these white lobsters. Say the word, and -- "