It was a blow that could have toppled a tree—but Hylan merely staggered and stayed up. Reese saw that the control gave them extra endurance. He'd get nowhere by fighting with them. Pushing Hylan aside, Reese broke for the clearing.
And froze.
He heard Tersen's dry voice saying, "... must have been a short in the wave canal. But that's taken care of now."
The voice was not loud. It was in his mind.
And he was unable to move.
It was a strange, unearthly experience to be a zombie. Part of Reese's mind remained conscious. Part of him knew that Tersen had belatedly achieved control through the bracelet on his wrist and that Reese was no longer his body's master. He felt a presence in his mind. Tersen. Tersen dictated his motions now.
Stiffleggedly—and it was no sham, now—he turned or was turned, and walked back toward the rest of the group. Tersen had appeared and stood there, icy eyes glittering at him.
"I made the mistake of not testing you before I freed you," the scientist said. "But I think the control is in effect now. We'll see."
Raise your right hand! came a sudden mental command. Reese felt his right hand shoot above his head. He struggled to pull it down but it was impossible.