At the lip, Franks turned. "We are going back because we have no choice. There are three of us and about a dozen of you. However, if—"
"Here comes the car," Taylor said.
There was a grating sound from the Tube. D-class leadys moved toward the edge to receive it.
"I am sorry," the leader said, "but it is for your protection. We are watching over you, literally. You must stay below and let us conduct the war. In a sense, it has come to be our war. We must fight it as we see fit."
The car rose to the surface.
Twelve soldiers, armed with Bender pistols, stepped from it and surrounded the three men.
Moss breathed a sigh of relief. "Well, this does change things. It came off just right."
The leader moved back, away from the soldiers. It studied them intently, glancing from one to the next, apparently trying to make up its mind. At last it made a sign to the other leadys. They coasted aside and a corridor was opened up toward the warehouse.
"Even now," the leader said, "we could send you back by force. But it is evident that this is not really an observation party at all. These soldiers show that you have much more in mind; this was all carefully prepared."
"Very carefully," Franks said.