When all was ready the boogies were motioned forward.  Two of them came into the entrance.  Their leader spread his hands, then put one to his mouth. 
     "I'm in charge," the Hume answered, "What do you want?"
     The boogie reached in his carrying pouch and took out one of the crystals.  He pointed to it then to the prisoners. 
     "You want the crystals," the Warlock answered.  "You want to exchange the prisoners for the crystals we have."
     The boogie nodded.  "Medic!"  the Warlock snapped,  "Bring those crystals you gathered."
     The medic quickly appeared with a supply bag which he held out to the Warlock.  He took it, and looked inside, then held it out to the boogie.  He took it, and handed it to his companion who went through its contents, then held up three fingers.  The boogie that seemed to be in charge shook his head and held up three fingers, pointed to the prisoners, and shook his head, and held up three fingers again.            
     "Spread the word!"  the Warlock snapped, "If anybody's got any of the crystals that remain after these guys evaporate, get them over here, on the double!" 
     The word was quickly passed.  In a few minutes a man ran up with three more of the crystals.  The Warlock took them and held them in his hands.  The boogie came forward, but the Warlock motioned him back. 
     "You send your man back with those.  The prisoners are released, and come over here, then you get these three and may leave."
     The boogie looked at his companion, who quickly departed.  The prisoners were pushed towards their companions and were quickly gathered up.  The Hume handed the boogie the crystals. 
     "You're telepathic, aren't you?"  he remarked.  "I can almost hear your thoughts.  You're on a different frequency than we are, but I think, in time, we could learn to read each other. "
     The boogie smiled, and to everybody's surprise became human, just shrunk into the human form!  His clothing even changed.
     "Ah!" the Warlock remarked, "Yes!  Much better in that form!  Incredible adaptation!"
     The boogie bowed and quickly hurried off.  "I think our help has arrived, sir," the Warlock commented to The Emperor.  "They're leaving.  They just wanted to secure their dead.  They don't like leaving them behind.  And they are dead, I sensed that.  They can't regenerate them.  Where's Pepperwick?"
      One of the Warlock's fighting people ran up. "Yes sir?"  he snapped. 
     "Take the unwounded," the Warlock ordered, "monitor their retreat, but do not hinder them unless you are fired upon. "
     "Understood, sir!"  the man answered, and hurried off."Rice!" the Warlock screamed, "Get over here!"
     The female Warlock came over.  "How in the hell did you get yourself captured?"  Warlock Polley asked.

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