The men turned away, shook their heads. Susan felt a cold numbness growing in her body and limbs.
"You, Carson," the instructor ordered, "get passes for yourself, Merritt and Saxon. I'll issue the order via wrist communicator. Get two groundcars. Wait in them outside the compound. You others form a ring about this girl. What's your name, girl?"
"Susan Wildress. My identification number is on the back of my sweater."
"I'm Alfred Wilson. The boys will walk out to the groundcars. You walk in the midst of them and try to look like a boy. Get in the first car and stay out of sight."
On the way Sue had an opportunity to study the boys. Most of them were younger than her seventeen years. For their age they were unusually tall and broad. Few were under six feet. Their purple uniforms were emblazoned with a single splash of white in the center of the back, in the shape of a burning sun.
She slid into the car, remained quiet. Alfred Wilson got in beside her. A moment later the car rose gently, accompanied by another off to port.
Sue pointed to the wood and explained that her car was there. Wilson spoke into his communicator and the other car descended in that direction.
"They'll return it to the dormitory," he said. "My job is to get you back without creating an emergency."
"Why are you doing it?" Sue asked. "Why don't you turn me over to the Council?"