"Where's a dead man?" Craig gasped.
"You'll be the dead man!" the voice answered. "Walk up the ramp!"
They walked up the inclined runway. Ahead of them, the lock opened. They entered. It swung shut behind them. Ahead, the inner door opened.
For the first time, they saw the source of the voice that had spoken to them. Craig felt every muscle in his body contract. Mary uttered a scream that was pure panic.
In Nuoy's quarters Captain Martin was finishing with his story of what they had found on Star Goal. General Stanley was almost falling out of his chair as he leaned forward to listen. Nuoy's lips were opening and closing and he was breathing in panting gasps. A slobbering sound was coming from within his throat.
"There is no doubt but that the inhabitants of Star Goal are immortal," Captain Martin finished.
Nuoy swallowed. He swallowed again and again. A gleam came into his eyes.
"Can you prove that statement, Martin?" he demanded.
"Of course!" the captain calmly answered.