, "I've thought about it many times, but there
are no records of that period. We do know that we are all descended from
colonists who arrived at the same time. Somewhere, at some time, the two
groups separated. Perhaps it was a war, I've read about them in the
books. I have a partial theory, though I can't prove it, that it was the
location of the city."

"Location--I don't understand."

"Well, you know the junkmen, and you've seen where their city is. They
managed to put it right in the middle of the most savage spot on this
planet. You know they don't care about any living thing except
themselves, shoot and kill is their only logic. So they wouldn't
consider where to build their city, and managed to build it in the
stupidest spot imaginable. I'm sure my ancestors saw how foolish this
was and tried to tell them so. That would be reason enough for a war,
wouldn't it?"

"It might have been--if that's really what happened," Jason said. "But I
think you have the problem turned backwards. It's a war between native
Pyrran life and humans, each fighting to destroy the other. The life
forms change continually, seeking that final destruction of the
invader."

"Your theory is even wilder than mine," Rhes said. "That's not true at
all. I admit that life isn't too easy on this planet ... if what I have
read in the books about other planets is true ... but it doesn't change.
You have to be fast on your feet and keep your eyes open for anything
bigger than you, but you can survive. Anyway, it doesn't really matter
why. The junkmen always look for trouble and I'm happy to see that they
have enough."

Jason didn't try to press the point. The effort of forcing Rhes to
change his basic attitudes wasn't worth it--even if possible. He hadn't
succeeded in convincing anyone in the city of the lethal mutations even
when they could observe all the facts. Rhes could still supply
information though.

[Illustration]

"I suppose it's not important who started the battle," Jason said for
the other man's benefit, not meaning a word of it, "but you'll have to
agree that the city people are permanently at war with all the local
life. Your people, though, have managed to befriend at least two species
that I have seen. Do you have any idea how this was done?"

"Naxa will be here in a minute," Rhes said, pointing to the door, "as
soon as he's taken care of the animals. Ask him. He's the best talker we
have."

"Talker?" Jason asked. "I had t