The captain waddled over to an elaborate-looking machine near the wall, and removed its translucent hood. Marten looked at it, and almost gasped. The thing was so much like the Terran model of a brainprobe that only a practiced eye could tell them apart.
Obviously, this machine worked on the same principle as the Earth-type brainprobe did. And that, Marten reflected, was not a pleasant thought.
"You use that for picking your teeth, Ghuvek?"
"You'll find out its use soon enough, Earthman." The Flesso scowled and signalled to the captain to wheel the brainprobe over.
No organic brain, Marten knew, could stand up against the mental energies of a brainprobe. Within seconds, it could render any person a slave to the will of whoever operated the machine. Marten clenched his jaws grimly, ready to resist anything the Flesso could throw against him. There was always a chance that—
"Your mouth will be less full of insults when we have finished with you, Earthman."
"You're scaring me, Ghuvek."
"We'll see. Clamp down the helmet."
The cold metal descended and the Captain anchored it tightly around Marten's skull.
"What shall I ask first, Most Noble Sire?" Captain Yknor asked.