Newton did not answer, looking away at the tall golden coils that seemed to pulse with the Sun’s own light. But the Brain spoke dryly.
“Curtis did not tell you quite all. The lure of the strange life in the Sun proved too much for many of the men who were changed. They did not come back. And therefore the use of the converters was forbidden and this laboratory was sealed — until Carlin came and opened it again.”
“And now he’s out there”, said Captain Future as though to himself. “Carlin changed and went out there, and then couldn’t get back.” He swung around suddenly to face them. His tanned face was set. “And I’m going after him”, he said. “I’m going to bring him back.”
OTHO cried out, “No! Curt, you’re mad! You can’t do such a thing!”
“Carlin did.”
“Yes, and maybe he’s dead or worse!” The android caught Newton’s arm. He pleaded, “Even if you went after him how could you find him? And if you did suppose you found that you couldn’t get back either? These machines are ancient and might fail.”
“For once”, said Grag emphatically, “Otho is right. Every word of it!”
“And I must agree with both of them”, said Simon Wright. “Curtis, this course of action is both madness and folly.”
Newton’s gray eyes had grown cold with a remoteness that made Otho step back away from him. His face was now flintlike in its stubborn resolution. “Carlin was our friend”, he said quietly. “He stood by us when we needed him. I have to go after him.”
“Very well, Curtis”, Simon answered. “But you are not going for friendship nor to save Philip Carlin. You are going because you yourself want to.”