"You must think about it! Would you have it all end here? Living always at the command of an unknown voice?"
The woman's eyes searched the room, as if seeking some sign of reassurance. "But ... I've never thought of any other kind of life. I'm happy here!"
"Happy? Being a living robot? You've never touched real happiness. Think, Kathryn. Think hard about this. It's the most important thing in the world."
She turned from the man and looked at the wall.
It was several hours before Franz and the others returned. Kathryn was in her bunk, her eyes shut, an instrument clamped to her temples.
Franz breathed a sigh of relief as the door closed behind them. "Whew, that's not good for the nerves! Every time we turned a corner we ran into that officer we met yesterday. I think he's watching us."
"Sten," Johnathon said excitedly, "you should have gone with us. Most of the people wouldn't even listen, but there was a girl who was interested. I've never seen anything like her, Sten. She's so soft and small and...."
Karl interrupted enthusiastically. "And she has a friend that's coming with her! Her name's Stella—I touched her and she's smoother than anything I ever felt. I ... I think she may go with us."
Sten and Franz stood soberly watching the child-like joy of the two men, a new joy, something unquenchable that burned deep within them.