"So far we've seen none of them," Jay whispered. And he found time to puzzle about the knowledge possessed by animats.
"Jay Forsix," called Ina Haan's deep voice guardedly.
The animat's weapon dropped. "No talking," he warned Onin.
"Yes?"
"Come back to the ship at once. There are frog men lurking around and they may try to rush us. I killed one."
"Killed one! That was a mistake, Ina," Jay told her. "If we could have made friends with them...."
The woman's dark eyes narrowed savagely. "I'm in charge of our party, animat," she snapped. "Remember what you are and who are your masters!"
Jay's blood ran hot. His nails bit deep into the palms of his hands as he bowed his head stiffly. His eyes were trained on the ground at the woman's slime-crusted boots. He swallowed with an effort.
"I remember," he said slowly, his voice colorless as a true robot's.
Ina's lips smiled triumphantly. Her eyes softened as she patted his shoulder possessively.