deep space that I have been able
to stay here without too much danger. But even the purloined letter
was found eventually."

Kramer smoked his cigarette nervously. "What are you going to do?
Where are we going?"

"First, I want to talk to you. I have many things to discuss. I was
very disappointed when you left me, along with the others. I had hoped
that you would remain." The dry voice chuckled. "Remember how we used
to talk in the old days, you and I? That was a long time ago."

The ship was gaining speed. It plunged through space at tremendous
speed, rushing through the last of the defense zone and out beyond. A
rush of nausea made Kramer bend over for a moment.

When he straightened up the voice from the wall went on, "I'm sorry to
step it up so quickly, but we are still in danger. Another few moments
and we'll be free."

"How about yuk ships? Aren't they out here?"

"I've already slipped away from several of them. They're quite curious
about me."

"Curious?"

"They sense that I'm different, more like their own organic mines.
They don't like it. I believe they will begin to withdraw from this
area, soon. Apparently they don't want to get involved with me.
They're an odd race, Philip. I would have liked to study them closely,
try to learn something about them. I'm of the opinion that they use no
inert material. All their equipment and instruments are alive, in some
form or other. They don't construct or build at all. The idea of
_making_ is foreign to them. They utilize existing forms. Even their
ships--"

"Where are we going?" Kramer said. "I want to know where you are
taking me."

"Frankly, I'm not certain."

"You're not certain?"

"I haven't worked some details out. There are a few vague spots in my
program, still. But I think that in a short while I'll have them
ironed out."

"What is your program?" Kramer said.

"It's really very simple. But don't you want to come into the control
room and sit? The seats are much more comfortable than that metal
bench."

Kramer went into the control room and sat down at the control board.
Looking at the useless apparatus made him feel strange.

"What's the matter?" the speaker above the board rasped.

* * * * *

Kramer gestured helplessly. "I'm--powerless. I can't do anything. And
I don't like it. Do you blame me?"

"No. No, I don't blame you. But you'll get your control back, soon.
Don't worry. This is only a temporary