"I don't know what to make of it," Hinckley said finally. "We can touch them and hear them; they appear normal in all respects, but they seem to be operating on a different level of existence."
"I don't pretend to understand it," Compton said, "but I have a feeling I don't like, whenever I think about it. I'd rather meet bug-eyed monsters than this."
"I know what you mean," Hinckley said. "These people even though they're humanoid, are out of contact with reality—at least with reality as we know it. It's like some kind of mass hypnosis, with everyone in a trance except us."
"Think of how helpless these people would be," Compton said. "When we turn in our report, those who come out here with unhealthy designs won't have any opposition."
"We have a prime example of that on board," Hinckley said disgustedly. "We'd better get back to the ship; I don't like to leave Parker alone; there's no telling what he'll do."
When they got back Parker wasn't there.
"I was afraid of this," Hinckley said between clenched teeth.
"Maybe they've done something to him," Compton suggested nervously.
"That's too much to hope for. Chances are, it's the other way around. If I know Parker, there's only one place he'll be. C'mon."
Clutching his rifle, Hinckley ran from the rocket. Compton followed, a bit more cautiously.