"Don't let your hopes run away with you," Case said. "I'm the only one, and it looks like I'll be the last."
Burnine was crying, definitely and without shame. He fought to bring himself under control.
"They're going to get away with it," he said, brokenly. Long imprisonment had broken him down.
"Maybe," Case said. "It all depends on what the chances are of getting out of this cell before the next blast. The Council hasn't given up yet."
"I know. But that humming means they're building up voltage for the next shot. It won't be long."
"How do you know?"
"Engels. He comes down here every couple of days to tell us we're chumps for not coming over to his side. Meanwhile, we've learned what goes on. In a year you can learn a lot if you keep your ears open."
"A year," Case mused. "Since those liners disappeared."
"Yeah. Engels and his pals were on the one I was piloting. They stuck guns in our ribs and took over and brought us here."
"There are a couple of things I've got to know," Case said. "First, what kind of weapon are they using? Second, where are we?"