He broke the silence. "You seem to admire our view."
"You speak Terran," Rex said, surprise in his words.
"A source of amazement to you, no doubt. You who consider us a mob of imbeciles cringing up here in the ice floes."
"Whoever you are, I'm afraid you're in trouble. We aren't used to being hauled around like criminals."
"Then it's time you got used to it."
"Who are you?"
"I am Pandek, ruler of all Martians. Down on your knees!"
Rex and Jean were hurled roughly to the floor. Rex lowered his head and whispered to Jean, "Take it easy. We've got to feel our way and wait this out." To Pandek, he said, "Is this the way you're in the habit of receiving ambassadors from friendly nations?"
"Friendly? That from you who have kicked and despised us for hundreds of years?" Pandek's rage was heightening with each word. "You and your arrogant army of invaders? You who treated us with the patronizing kindness you reserve for amiable dogs?"
"We came in friendship—"