Carter rose obediently and faced the creature in the pit.
I am now your master. You will obey everything.
"You are my master now. I will obey everything."
When they were in the corridor again, Gendron yanked the switch and the heavy metal door clanged down, shutting them off from the chamber of the Khethlani. The Squadron Leader turned to Carter, grinning.
"Well, now you're with us. How does it feel?"
"Like being with the team again," Carter lied. "Brief me on what's been going on here."
"There are about a dozen Khethlani, on various worlds in this sector. One to a world. They've been that way for millions of years—it's an ancient and very wise race."
"And where do we fit in?"
"We're busy building a thought-generator," explained Gendron. "The Khethlani wants to set up a linkage with its brothers, and it needs our help."