For a moment Delafonte was torn between rebellious indignation, in the face that laughter, and obeying that order. Then his shoulders slumped and without a word he turned toward the door to lead them through.

'Was it something I said?'

'Rafe, I'm speaking to you as a friend and a member of your extended family. Shut up before they start using you for lab experiments.'

'Why'd they wanna do that? I'm too good-looking. It'd be a shame.'

The corridors were long, laid with corrugated iron that made their footsteps echo. When they reached the control room some of Delafonte's guards looked around in surprise.

"Go get our newest guests," he told them. Maybe they could claim the men had made an escape attempt while they were being led to control ...