Humans?"

"Your Gracious Wisdom," faltered Wert, "I suggest we use the--the
Weapon. You see, our forces are not fully mobilized at present for
immediate action--"

"Full mobilization isn't necessary or even desirable," Tresqu
interrupted with some impatience. "One task force can do the job. Ah!
I see by your expression that you do not have even one task force in
readiness."

"Your Gracious Wisdom," begged Wert, "you ordered a full holiday this
month to celebrate the twenty-fourth anniversary of your magnificent
reign, and--"

"Enough, Wert! Your tongue is as clumsy as your body." Tresqu nibbled
thoughtfully at the tip of his tail. "We will use the Weapon," he
decided. "In order to allow my court to continue their holiday, I'll
assume direct command in this." He rose from his throne. "Musicians,
summon my guards. I go to visit the Weapon. Come, Wert; come also,
Fool. You will accompany me."

* * * * *

Shortly thereafter, Tresqu and his entourage boarded the royal cruiser
and roared away from the City of Wisdom. The ship flew halfway around
the planet and came to rest in a peaceful purple valley where insects
shrilled contentedly and a small stream rippled. Tresqu climbed out
onto the violet turf, his followers coming after him.

"Mighty Weapon of Zoz," he called, "I, Tresqu, seek your presence!"

"Oh, no!" groaned a slightly mechanical voice that seemed to come
from no particular direction. "Will there never be peace, never a
tranquil moment to soothe my spirit and erase the bloody stains of
destruction recorded on my past?"

"That voice! It carries me away!" breathed the Fool. "Such a tragic
tale of tormented strength is implicit in its very tone that I think I
shall swoon!" But he wrapped his tail around the trunk of a nearby
sapling for support and managed to retain consciousness.

"Me, too!" Wert chimed in with suspicious haste. "I'm quite moved!"

"Try not to counterfeit a soul you do not possess." Tresqu glowered at
Wert. "You deceive no one."

The Fool was recovered sufficiently to hit the discomfited Lord of War
with a pebble when Tresqu was not watching.

The Weapon had drifted into sight during this exchange, floating out
of a shady hollow, as if blown by a breeze. It was very simple in
appearance--an impalpable three-foot glowing sphere with a squat
metallic cylinder at its base.

"Tell me not the purpose of your visit, petty lord!" It said. "It is
known to me