He sat in the rocker, rubbing his numb right arm with his left, trying to stamp his foot, but he couldn't move it yet. He glared up at Garstang, who had come and was standing near Tauncer, looking from him to Kirk with a faint frown.
Tauncer had not spoken, and he did not speak now. He sat where he was and waited, and watched them.
"Well," said Kirk, "what are you waiting for, Joe? Go ahead and untie him."
"No," said Garstang, shaking his head slowly. "No, I'm not going to untie him."
"Why not?" demanded Kirk bitterly. "Or have you decided to double-cross him, too?"
"I don't think you understand," said Garstang. "I'm not working with Tauncer. I'm not working for Solleremos at all."
Kirk stared, for a moment surprised out of his rage. "But then who—"
"My loyalty," said Garstang, "is to Earth."
"Oh, hell, that doesn't make sense," said Kirk. "You're no more Earthman than I am—"
"I am, Kirk. You never knew it, but I'm all Earthman. And I've been in Earth Intelligence for fourteen years."