Randall's thin brows lifted. "What do you mean?"
Zor Ala's dark eyes mirrored a world of emotion. "The hunter was a magnificent physical specimen," he replied. "The Kralons have use for such as he."
Then Zor Ala told of the sixteen human beings who had not returned from the interviews; told him of the suspicions he had concerning the fate of those humans at the hands of the Kralons.
Throughout the long afternoon Randall kept a check on his companions.
When Jerome Jackson, the last called, finally returned, Randall spoke up.
"Friends," he said. "Twelve of us went to a forced interview with these fantastic creatures of a long-dead Age. Nine of us have returned. Missing are Blake Garnet, Charles McMahon, and his bride, Evelyn McMahon."
Randall paused, then said softly, "I am calling for volunteers."
Angus McClellan took a step forward which carried him half across the room. Gordon Malherne, the young engineer, wasn't far behind him, and the white-haired Doctor Gerard was surprisingly agile for his sixty-odd years.
Jackson, the salesman, was quivering in indecision, when Laura Hanks, the tallest of the teachers, stepped forward.
"You can count me in," she said firmly, her angular chin set in determination.