She began to dress. She needed no more sleep. She was anxious to get
back on the job--trying to stop the invasion; although now, in spite of
her mutant powers, now that the course of action was outlined, she
seemed more in the way than of assistance.

Now why, she thought, would it suddenly seem so important that I should
seal off Walt's mind? Yesterday, when he was so tired, I almost gave him
back his mutant powers. I do trust him, don't I? Of course. After all
the help he's given us, I know--there's not the tiniest doubt,
really--that he's completely on our side.

Now why--?

Seal ... off ... mind....

She tried to ignore the thought. It isn't that important, she argued
with herself.

Seal ... off ... mind....

Whoa! she thought.

Seal off _minds_!

Minds.

Harmonics ... powerful signal ... transmit ... blanket....

Pulling her blouse hastily over her head, she realized that it might be
remotely possible!

As she reached for the phone, she tried to see the mathematics involved.
I'll have to consult Dr. Norvel, she thought.

She dialed. Her hand began to tremble with eagerness.

The phone rang in her ear. Once. Twice. Three times.

"Hello?"

"Hello, this is Julia. Let me speak to the general. Hurry!"

Whoever was on the other end of the line moved quickly. Julia could hear
a phone ringing in the receiver.

"Yes?" the general said, sleepy-voiced.

"Julia, General."

"Yes?"

"I _think_ I've got something for you."

"Yes?"

"If we can transmit a powerful enough signal, we might be able to create
harmonics that would interfere throughout the possible displacement
area. Interfere with the frequency that closes our bridges, I mean. It's
the same principle as concussion affecting the displacement area."

"Wait a minute. Okay, go on. I'm recording this, now."

"If our television and radio transmitters will handle the signal, we can
blanket the whole planet with interference. Any mutant that hits it will
automatically be deprived of his mutant powers."

"What...?"

"Look. We can make the whole first wave human normals. The Army can
round them up and keep them unconscious while we adjust our interference
to meet the second wave."

"I see, vaguely. What do you need?"

"Dr. Norvel."

"I'll phone her."

"A laboratory. An electronics laboratory."

"I'll get it."

"Enough time."

"All I can do on that score is hurry as fast as I can. As soon as I get
your laboratory, I'll send a car