"Join the others," Tersen ordered.
"Yes, Dr. Tersen," Reese said in sepulchral tones.
Outside, he glanced around and saw several colonists some distance away. He walked toward them, careful to maintain the stiff walk in case Tersen were watching.
Something had gone wrong with Tersen's bracelet because Reese definitely was under no control. It was a lucky break; it allowed him some extra time to discover what power Tersen held over the enslaved colonists. And he could find Lois.
The bracelet on his wrist gave no clue. It was just a thin band of metal without ornament. Presumably Tersen had expected to exert some kind of thought-control through it.
None of the colonists wore bracelets of this sort. Therefore, Tersen had some other means of controlling them. He had spoken of a "generator." Perhaps he could find that while he remained at large.
"Hello, Earthman. There is trouble here."
Maintaining his stiffness, Reese turned. He saw Kuhli, the addict. The pack he had been carrying was missing.
"Why are you back?" Reese asked.