"I hear it, sir," said Tom, turning toward the noise and bracing himself.
"My name is Connel," the burly spaceman suddenly spoke up in loud tones. "I'm an official in the Solar Guard! Whoever you are, speak up! Identify yourself."
There was a moment of silence and then a voice spoke harshly in the darkness.
"How do we know you're a Solar Guard officer? How do we know you're not a spy?"
"Do you have any kind of light?" asked Connel.
"Yes, we have a light. But we are not going to give away our positions. We know how to move in here. You don't."
"Then how do you expect me to prove it?"
"The burden of proof lies with you."
"Have you ever heard of me?" asked Connel after a pause.