“Swift?” I asked, “But not very pleasant, I take it?”
“They respect the sanctity of life,” Oak replied, “In so far as
they can.”
“So what happens now?” I had to ask, though I didn't want to know
the answer.
“I have been told,” he said, “To prepare for an evacuation and
await further instruction. To that end I will draw your son and his
wife back to the Warp, and we will all get ready to leave.”
“How will you wake them?” I asked.
“There is a chant that human consciousness is drawn to. I simply
have to whisper it in their ears.
“I can't let you do that,” Mary said, behind us. I heard a
fleshy crack and Oak slumped to the ground beside me.
