General Olmstead grunted. "We don't have any choice, do we?"
Laura was thinking: Please, Alan. Please. They've got you confused. You didn't do this intentionally. Please.
The door to their prison chamber suddenly slid, with much grating and creaking, into the wall. A tall, distinguished-looking man in the uniform of a Federation colonel came into the room. "I am Colonel Bennett Keifer," he introduced himself, "second in command to Alan Tremaine here at Red Sands. How do you do, Mr. Olmstead?"
"General Olmstead," Laura's father said coldly.
"We recognize no Earth titles here in Red Sands, Mr. Olmstead. We recognize your importance, though."
"Exactly what does that mean?"
"There are certain things Alan Tremaine would like to find out. The strength of the Earth garrison at Syrtis Major, the number of jet-copters at your disposal, your plans for putting down the insurrections at the smaller Martian settlements."
"You'll get nothing from me," General Olmstead promised.
"Perhaps. Your daughter is a lovely woman, Mr. Olmstead. Quite lovely."
"If you as much as touch her, I'll kill you with my own hands!"