 What advantage did the rebels have over the Venus Consolidated police?
This was the administrative heart of Venus City. As head of the Venus Consolidated Research Organization, he was in large part responsible for the prosperity of this vigorous, young world. Venus Consolidated had built up this city and practically everything else that amounted to anything on this planet. True, there had been others, pioneers, before the company came, who objected to the expansion of the monopolistic control. But, if they could not realize that the company's regime served the best interests of the planet, they would just have to suffer the consequences of their own ignorance. Venus Consolidated police had only powers of arrest. This walk was part of a regular routine of physical exercise that kept his body hard and resilient in spite of long hours spent in the laboratory. He was making that walk in precisely seven minutes, four and four-fifths seconds. Brian Hanson, Chief of Research for Venus Consolidated, as dignified as possible in a damp bathrobe, glared out through the bars at a slightly bewildered Pete Brent. They're about the oldest family on Venus. Police have been after her for months; she's a rebel and she's sure been raising plenty of hell around here. All I want is to get out of here—" "Gotcha, chief," Brent whispered understandingly. I don't care if you are—" Brian's eyes almost popped out as he saw a gloved hand reach around the guard's neck and jam a rag over his nose and mouth. Another guard was caught and silenced as he came around the end of the corridor. Whether you like it or not, you'll hang with us when they find us trying to get you out of here." In a few seconds the door swung open and they were fleeing silently down the jail corridor. He had a moment of wonder at the crazy spectacle of himself, the fair-haired boy of Venus Consolidated, in his flapping bathrobe, leading a band of escaping rebels out of the company's best jail. "Right with you," the guard snapped and ran a few steps with them before a blackjack caught up with him and he folded into a corner. The electric eye tripped a screaming alarm, but the broken key in Brian's hands opened the complicated lock in a matter of seconds. They were outside the jail on a side street, the door closed and the lock jammed immovably behind them. Brian faltered to a stop and Crystal James pushed past him.
 Detailed knowledge of the area
 Fast atmospheric ships  Detailed knowledge of the area  Secret supporters on the inside  Stashes of weaponry in caves