When his consciousness returned, Mike figured he had been out for about an hour. He based this on past experience with electroparalysis rays. Using every ounce of will-power, he forced his elevated foot toward the companionway floor. The magnetic field permeating the dead ship was still potent, forming, in a sense, a maze of invisible wires, holding him in his frozen position. He knew that in the companionway he had taken the full brunt of the charge. Possibly the others were again able to move about. But no one came to his aid. His foot touched the floor. He pulled at his back foot like a man striving to loose himself from thick mud. He got it forward. A step, then another. From the control cabin came the sound of dolorous curses emitted in many languages. Nicko was again functioning. Mike got his hands on the safety bars of the ladder leading down to the lounge. He pulled himself toward it and as he was descending, the magnetism of the electroparalytic bolt loosed its hold and he fell headlong. Picking himself up, he hurried into the lounge. Doree was alone. She was still frozen to the chair in which she sat. Her legs were drawn up gracefully under her slim body. Only her eyes were alive--questioning, beseeching. Mike picked her up and laid her on the floor. He knelt and began massaging the rigid muscles, drawing her legs out slowly, watching her eyes for indications of pain. "You'll be all right in a few minutes," he said. "We have to take it slow and easy or you'll get the bends." While he worked he was asking himself questions. Who? In God's name--why? What reason had anyone for attacking the ship? There was nothing of value aboard. He had no enemies--to his knowledge--in this part of the universe. * * * * * Doree was trying to speak. Her throat worked. Her eyes were frantic. Mike got her legs straightened out without sending her into screaming pain. Now she was rising into a sitting position on her own power. "Took--took--Fa--him--" she whispered hoarsely. "Your father--where is he?" "McKee--Talbott--took him!" "Who in the hell are McKee and Talbott?" Gradually, her throat unlocked. "They came in and took him--carried him out." "I asked you who they were." Tears welled in her eyes. She bit her lower lip and tried to control her fluttering throat. "I--I tried to scream. When they carried him out I couldn't do a thing." She burst into tears. She was normal again. Mike got to his feet. "I've got to check the ship. When I get back I want some answers and you'd better have them ready." He hurried from the lounge and up the ladder, almost slamming into Nicko as he gained the companionway. Nicko's scales were a sickly, pale green. He tottered weakly on his stumpy legs using all four of his arms to support himself against the bulkhead. He grinned hideously. "Friends of yours?" "I don't know who the hell they were. You all right?" "I'm fine."