It was warm in the round Mars ship and cage. In a few minutes, they
were sailing into rapidly falling darkness. John lost all sense of
direction. At last, blue lights flashed in the cold night above a dim
floor of thick plant life, and their little ship slid sidewise to a
stop inside a massive hillside door. They could not understand why Jake
was rayed into unconsciousness and taken away, before they were sent
sliding and unattended down the long corridor to their former room.
There were now four of the low beds and a fresh tray of food had been
prepared. They ate, and fell into drugged sleep.
Life went on quietly, back in this observation cage, nearly a week.
Every morning they were questioned for an hour or more by the council
of scientists through the wall screen. Hilda persuaded John to be as
co-operative as possible, hoping that the old men's intentions were
still kind. The questions were especially centered about details of
health on earth, medicine, eugenic control, the number of sick people,
and about the possibility of future colonies.
Mary and Dr. Smithson proved fascinating companions in the long idle
hours, with a dramatic story to tell of their recent trip to Venus.
Earth's first expedition to that world in 1978 had not yet been
reported in the public press.
It was on the sixth day that they saw Jake Adams again. He came sliding
in on a rolling stretcher, propelled by unseen forces, and his eyes
were closed.