They sat up, still staring.
"What are you?" asked the blond one.
"I am Rod Carver. I come from that age of freedom which your ancestors cherished." He saw them look to his machine body and back to his eye, unbelieving. He struck his shell with a tendril. "One of them did this to me—put my brain here. I escaped before the idea was given."
They said nothing and the girl moved to the light-haired man, put an arm upon his shoulder. The stocky one stared at Rod with poignant eyes; his arms hung limply with the quiet reserve of strength.
"I understand there are but a hundred of them. I shall release all of you. We can do something!" cried Rod.
"How did you get here?" asked the tall one.
"There is no time—can't you see! I will explain later. We must leave now!"
"What have we to lose, Ralph?" said the dark-haired one, turning to his companion. He looked back to Rod, jumped down to the platform. "I don't know why or what you are, but I saw what you just did." He motioned to the woman and the man. "This is Vee, and Ralph. I am Daro. We will go with you to whatever comes."
"Shall I release the others?" asked Rod.
"You can't. They're enclosed by electrically charged wire," put in the one named Ralph.