Carl came to himself on the cot in his room. He was shackled, and there was a pirate sitting in a chair at the foot of the cot, with a weapon. When he saw Carl looking at him, the man shook his head, but said nothing. He looked more sorry than disgusted, and Carl felt too miserable physically to say anything himself. The after-effects of a blaster were not fun.
He was brought a meal, ate it, and was then led—still in shackles—to an examination room where he was strapped down and subjected to a mental probe. This seemed to last forever. But finally, it was over. He was led down other corridors to a meeting room. Here was the captain, sitting in a chair on a raised dais. Carl was ordered to stand before him, and when he toppled and fell from incapacity, he was left where he was, lying on th
