"We're going down!"
The grumble of the Wanderer's jets loudened, softened, spluttered, loudened again. Vibration filled the ship as it sank downward.
Suddenly it lurched upward, like a child's ball caught in a stream of rising water. The jolt staggered the men. They seized stanchions and bulkhead railings to keep their balance.
"What the hell?"
Abruptly, the strange movement ceased. The ship seemed motionless. There was no vibration.
"Captain," said Lieutenant Gunderson. "There's no change in altitude. We're still at 35,000 feet, no more, no less."
"We must be going down," said Captain Wiley, puzzled. "Kill jets 4 and 6."
The Lieutenant's hands flicked off two switches. A moment later: "There's no change, Captain."
Then came the voice:
"To those in the vessel from the planet Earth: Please do not oppose orders of the Landing Council. You are the first visitors in the history of our world whom we have had to restrain with physical force. You will be notified when landing space is available."