d, Terra is up in arms against the empire
of Hova, not realizing it is dead. They would destroy this craft on
sight, and I would be obliged to wait around until they could
construct another for me. No, I have decided we will not go to Terra."

"But, damn it, where else is there to go?"

"In search of my masters of Zoz," replied the Weapon. "Naturally, I
wish to return myself to their services as soon as possible."

"But they might be anywhere!"

"True," the Weapon agreed. "But even after a billion years, I know of
several places in the Universe they may be near. Their great cleansing
sweeps tend to circle and turn in a pattern established long in
advance. Thus we will go to those places where they may now be engaged
in their consecrated task of universal purification."

"But--"

"No more, Slave! We go!"

Out of the Milky Way, the cruiser hurtled at a speed which a sentient
lightwave would find meaningless. On and on they journeyed in quest of
the long-dead Zoz Horde.

They may still be going.

--HOWARD L. MYERS

* * * * *

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