Somewhere in the depths a tiny spot of resistance still glowed. He tried desperately to evoke it. It seemed then that it became brighter. He could resist—he would.... He kept thinking over and over again: "No, no, no!"
Larkin's voice said, "Carry him in the other room. He'll come to in a moment."
He came to slowly, and he saw that he was lying on a couch and that several people were gathered around him smiling down at him. Something detached itself from the group, knelt by his side. He blinked. It was Ciel. Her golden hair shone and her dark eyes searched his face and she was smiling. "Hello, darling," she said.
"Hello, Ciel." He kissed her, and then sat up on the couch and looked around.
Larkin and Dr. Nebel were standing together, and Red and Baldy were a few steps behind them, still looking indifferent.
"Now you're one of us, Dick," said Larkin, flashing his professional smile, dimples and everything. Pell rose. Nebel held his hands behind his back and beamed, blinking his heavy reptilian eyelids and Larkin stepped forward and held out his hand.
"Yes," said Pell, shaking the hand, "I guess we're all working for the same thing now. What do you want me to do?"
Larkin laughed. "Nothing right away. We'll give you instructions when the time comes. I think you might as well go home with Ciel now; I have a copter and a chauffeur outside that'll take you to the station near your apartment."
"Okay, Chief, whatever you say." He smiled and took Ciel's arm. He started toward the door. Then he stopped, patted his chest and said, "Oh—my freezer. I guess the boys took it away...."