Dirrul opened his eyes and looked at the neutral blue of a hospital ceiling. Gradually he became conscious of Dr. Kramer, seated by the bed.
"Dr. Kramer!" Dirrul whispered. "Then everything's all right."
"If by everything you mean your companions, yes. There's even a chance we can restore the girl's hearing."
"And the Vininese?"
"Defeated."
"Dr. Kramer, we've got to destroy the Confederacy! I saw their transmitters—I know how their system works."
"Hush, Edward—I promised not to excite you. We know about it."
"Then how could you have been foolish enough to let them land?"
"It seemed a pity not to give a few of their people another chance. It's working out quite nicely too."
"I don't follow you, Dr. Kramer."