"Better wrap him up in something," the outlaw called Barney said, his narrow face twisted in a strange grin. "We can't let the arrow-birds get him now."
Johnny stood while they strapped man-sized armor on him and put a headglobe on his head. He followed Ed out of the door and into the helicopter. The outlaw leader seated Johnny beside him, switched on the motor, and they roared away.
"Where we going?" Johnny asked.
"You'll find out," Ed snapped. "Keep quiet till I tell you to talk!"
They flew on for almost an hour. Then Ed set the helicopter controls on automatic hover and snapped the radio telephone on. He dialed a number. Johnny saw that the number was that of Colony Headquarters.
"Hello." Ed made his voice high and nasal. "I have information concerning Johnny Watson. Let me speak to his father."
The slick-haired blond man put his hand over the telephone mouthpiece. He grabbed Johnny by the collar and stared directly into his eyes.
"Listen," he said, "when your father comes on, I want you to speak to him. Tell him you were rescued by us and we've treated you O.K. Understand?"
Johnny nodded, his mouth dry.
"I'll tell him what happened," Johnny said. He didn't understand why Ed was making such a fuss about it.