He took his pack off and submitted to search. Then the guards went outside, taking the pack with them. The heavy door rang like a bell when they slammed it. A second clang indicated a bar across the door.
"I'll be damned," said Hale softly. "I run seventy thousand light years to stay out of one jail and walk right into another."
He listened to his own voice and noted with satisfaction that his congestion was clearing up.
There were voices outside. Hale strolled over to the window to listen.
"What is he? An Islander?" asked a voice. Hale hadn't heard it before; obviously another seeker after knowledge—a local busybody.
"He's an Islander, all right," said one of the guards. "He wears their clothing." Hale was wearing a standard spaceman's zipsuit and his insulation jacket.
"But what would an Islander want to come here for? None of them have left the Island since their ship landed, twelve years ago."
"Isn't that obvious? Their Captain Doctor wants to make a deal with the Fisher."
Hale listened patiently, and gradually the situation became clearer.
Out on the island across the channel was a ship. From the title "Captain Doctor," he gathered that it was an IHC ship. It had been there for twelve years.