His forearm itched where Lorence had inserted the sliver of metal. The old scientist had been very apologetic.
"I'm sorry, Jack, but we have to do this. We can't risk having another Lugert. This is to make sure you don't get delusions of power once you've finished off Lugert."
"What do you mean?"
"I mean we can control you hypnotically through this generator I'm embedding in your arm. Just in case you decide not to go back to your own time when you're through here."
"Don't worry. I wouldn't want to run this place."
But he couldn't blame them for being cautious. Not at all. They'd be even more helpless before him than they would be under Lugert, after all.
He drew near the big building. The guard in front said, "Who are you, and where are you going?"
Jack made his voice as subservient-sounding as he could. He said, "I'm from Speaker Karson. I'd like to see Lugert."
The guard frowned. "How come Karson didn't just phone the boss?"
"Beats me," Jack said. "Must be top-secret."