n. However, it was his duty as a physician, and he
had promised the Council. One thing he was sure of, though, and that was
never again to get involved in teleporting himself about the planet like
this on any account. He would send an assistant. Provided he could find
one.

"The Council would like a report when you get back. Do you think you can
control yourself if you know that you are going to investigate the
aliens whether you like it or not?"

"I guess so, sir," Tensor replied without interest.

"Splendid. I'll return to my own focus and give you the privacy for
administering the antidote."

Tensor waited. When the physician was gone, he constructed the chemical
in the vein of his left wrist, and in less than a minute he felt the
surging pleasure of his re-awakened faculties. He glanced doubtfully at
the sky, but it remained clear.

Curl's hyperimage began forming in his mind. "Everything all right now?"
the physician inquired genially.

"Perfect," replied Tensor contentedly. "This won't be so bad, even if it
is useful work. Maybe I'm just a little peculiar."

"Ha, ha," Curl replied noncommittally.

"Oh, one thing further. What about the privacy screen set up around the
aliens?"

"That was dropped months ago," Curl laughed. "Can you imagine the
Council sustaining anything like that for long?"

"It doesn't require any effort."

"Yes, but it looks like it ought to, and you know how that affects a
civilized man. You can go any time you like."

Tensor nodded and withdrew.

* * * * *

Abruptly, he was hovering over the delightful green-and-orange-streaked
sands of the central landscape. This was one of Prime's favorites, and
the network of drainage channels was the most effective on the planet.
Tensor approved. It really was beautiful.

He gazed around, pleasurably appreciating the esthetic beauty of the
colorful, arid scene.

Then he saw the aliens. That was astonishing, he thought. The aliens
were known to have grouped on the other side of the planet, and he had
intended to do some sightseeing on the way around. Now two of them were
here. Most unpredictable. They were standing near the horizon,
apparently examining one of the channels.

Tensor moved toward them slowly, sending futile probes for their minds
and finding, as before, nothing but chaotic splashes. It was really
unfortunate that they could not communicate.

He moved higher as he approached, for the bette