Kennon blinked. Could it be that Douglas didn’t know? Had he been watching them on radar? Durilium was radar-transparent. It absorbed and dissipated electromagnetic waves rather than reflecting them. For a second he felt a tiny surge of hope. “Stand where you are,” Douglas said as he stepped over to the half-paralyzed Copper and jerked the hood back from her face. For a moment he looked puzzled. “Just who are you?” he demanded. “I don’t recall seeing you before.” And then recognition dawned. “Old Doc’s Lani!” he gasped. “She works for me now,” Kennon said. Douglas laughed. It wasn’t a nice sound. “All dressed up?” he asked. “Nice work.” “That’s my fault,” Kennon said. “You know the rules,” Douglas said. “I could blast you both.” “Go ahead,” Kennon said, “but if you do, you’ll never find out what we’re doing up here.” Douglas hesitated. Kennon’s voice was flat and filled with utter conviction. “There’s a reason why Copper’s wearing that suit,” Kennon continued, “and you won’t know that either.” The Burkholtz swiveled around to point at Kennon’s belly. “I’ve had about enough of this. Let’s have it. Tell me what you’re doing here!” “I’ll do better than that,” Kennon said promptly. “I’ll show you. You’ll be surprised at what we’ve uncovered.” He made his muscles relax, and forced himself to speak naturally. Copper, he noted, was still rigid with terror. The Alexanders--any of them--were everything he had said they were. They were the masters here. And despite Copper’s boast, she was as susceptible to their influence as any other Lani. “All right,” Douglas said, “show me this thing I’d never be able to find without your help.” He half turned to Copper. “Stay where you are, Lani,” he said. “Don’t move until I come back.” “Yes, Man Douglas,” Copper replied. Her voice was flat, colorless, and submissive. Kennon shuddered. He had never heard precisely that tone from her before. One word from Douglas and she had become a zombie--a mindless muscle preparation that existed only to obey. Anger filled him--anger that one he loved could be ordered by someone who wasn’t worth a third of her--anger that she obeyed--anger at his own impotence and frustration. It wasn’t a clean anger. It was a dark, red-splashed thing that struggled and writhed inside him, a fierce unreasoning rage that seethed and bubbled yet could not break free. For an instant, with blinding clarity, Kennon understood the feelings of the caged male Lani on Otpen One. And he sympathized. “Follow me,” he said and started around the ship. “Stay--no--go ahead,” Douglas said, “but remember, I’m right behind you.” Kennon walked straight up to the pit and pointed down at the dark bulk of the Egg., concealed in the shadows of the bottom. “That’s it,” he said. “What? I don’t see anything,” Douglas said suspiciously. “Here--I’ll shine a light.” Kennon reached for his belt.