ent. After they heard him speak into the
telephone, the technicians resumed conversation, hushed and hopeful, and
nervous.

The general listened to the staff report from the Pentagon.

The overall situation was confused. The Army had no idea of how many
mutants were still at large. Some had gone into hiding, and dressed as
earthlings, they were impossible to identify by appearance.

A group of civilians had reported one mutant in custody. They had been
told to knock him unconscious and keep him unconscious until further
word.

Since all radio and television transmitters were in use, it was
impossible to solicit aid from the great body of civilians--most of
whom, indeed, knew nothing as yet of the invasion; most of whom were
jamming switchboards with angry calls aimed at determining why their
television sets weren't working. The official explanation, issued by the
stations themselves, was sunspots.

The general listened quietly.

"Break it to the press," he said at last. "Ask that all civilians
cooperate."

The Pentagon resumed the report.

It was estimated that more than eight hundred saucers had already
landed across the planet. There was only a little information so far
from foreign countries, all of whom had been alerted. Russia had
reported nineteen mutants captured. England reported two. France--

"Thanks," the general said.

* * * * *

The Elder detected the interference when a control needle on the
frequency transmitter began to jump erratically. Instantly he checked
the displacement coupling. There was nothing wrong with it. The
frequency was being properly transmitted.

He was petrified with terror. His eyes glazed. His tentacles hung limp.
Breath gurgled in his body; bubbled and rattled and rasped.

Then, leadenly, he moved one tentacle.

**Conference!** he shrieked to his colleagues. **Conference,** he sobbed
brokenly.

Circuits opened up; the Elder gave them his knowledge.

They had no difficulty in deducing the general picture of what was
happening on Earth.

*Walt failed,** they accused Forential.

**Save us, Elder! Save us!**

There was a hysterical babble of thought throughout the space station.

Forential raced down the ladder like a tumbling spider. He threw himself
along the second level corridor. He stopped, gasping, before the
frequency transmitter governing his charges.

It still functioned perfectly.

The other aliens fled aimlessly thro