Then Mannion entered a long technical exchange, getting the details of the kind of electric power they wanted.
“We can give them what they want, no sweat, Captain,” he said after half an hour’s talk. “They want DC; 100 volt, 50 amp will do.”
“Ask them to describe themselves,” I directed. I was beginning to get an idea.
Mannion sent, got his reply. “They’re molluscoid, Captain,” he said. He looked shocked. “They weigh about two tons each.”
“Ask them what they eat,” I said.
I turned to Joyce as Mannion worked over the message. “Get Kramer up here, on the double,” I said.
Kramer came in five minutes later, looking drawn and rumpled. He stared at me sullenly.
“I’m releasing you from arrest temporarily on your own parole, Major,” I said. “I want you to study the reply to our last transmission, and tell me what you can about it.”
“Why me?” Kramer said. “I don’t know what’s going on.” I didn’t answer him.