There were questions and counter-questions.
"You can speak their lingo, eh?"
"That won't help, Brown."
"They can't be invulnerable."
"They are—to our weapons. Silicate life!"
"When will they—sacrifice us?" Paula asked, a little shaken, though she tried not to show it.
Garth shrugged. "I don't know. Maybe I can talk 'em out of it. God knows. They worship the gods—the Ancients, I suppose—but they know we're not gods. So that's that."
"Well—"
They talked inconclusively. Sampson casually wandered over to the door, found a twisted scrap of wire, and used it on the lock. After a while he called softly to the others.