"Yes, but in that case, he would have used its radio for communication. We have to assume that they pried him out somehow, no?"
The others nodded.
"He wouldn't last too long in a spacesuit, even if they pumped in air under pressure," said Lydman judiciously.
"So they must have built some kind of structure to house him, if only a big tank," said Parrish.
Westervelt stirred, then closed his mouth rather than interrupt. Smith, however, had seen the motion and looked up.
"Speak up, Willie," he invited. "It won't sound any sillier than anything else that's been said in this room."
"I ... I was wondering about these Tridentians," said Westervelt. "Does anybody know how they live? Do they have cities built on the sea bottom?"
"If they have water jet vehicles, they certainly have the technical—"
Smith stopped as he saw Parrish lean back and roll his eyes toward the ceiling.
"What now, Pete?" he demanded apprehensively.