"That's crazy," said Craig angrily.
"Of course," Cocteau agreed.
"Furthermore," the other man said, "you are charged with wilful abandonment of duty and 'acts indicative of your desire to shun the best utilization of your talents in behalf of the state of Terra.'"
"In other words," explained Cocteau, "you applied for a job on a private space freighter. Without permission to do so."
Craig was silent. He lay back down on the cot and tried to absorb the data he had just received.
"So I'm accused of belonging to something I don't know anything about?"
"Then I'll tell you briefly about us. You have a right to know the magnitude of the crime with which you are charged." Cocteau took a seat by Craig's cot. The others also found chairs.
"But first a brief bit of history—a history that you have never heard before. Not your fault. It is not allowed to penetrate Terra's atmosphere."
"I don't know much about Terra," Craig interjected. "I'm just finding out how much I don't know."
"God, I wish the rest of the Universe could find out with you!" said one of the group.