The alien said: "You are aboard our spaceship, Dr. Lawrence. We are
following the Vegan ship."
In spite of the alien's terrifying appearance, Jim sensed a curious
friendliness in its voice. "I'm--I'm afraid I don't understand. Those
men--"
The lizard-like being with the insect eyes sat down on a chair near the
bunk. "Dr. Lawrence, I am Nestiv Illon. I am the captain of this ship,
which is a war vessel in the Stellar Navy of Viagon.
"We are following the ship of Andsu Meero, the being who has kidnapped
your Dr. Bette Bauer. We--"
Jim sat up in the bunk. "Just a minute," he said, holding up a hand. "I
may be having a nightmare, but I still like to be sure of what's going
on. The last I remember, I was trying to keep a bunch of gangsters from
kidnapping one of my patients. Now I find myself here. Suppose you
start from the beginning--"
"I see," the alien said. "I did not realize you were so unfamiliar
with the situation. Those men who took the girl were working for Andsu
Meero. He is attempting to gain control of the entire galaxy--a goal
at which," the alien said, its voice dropping sadly, "at which he is
unfortunately succeeding."