I'll have to
interfere with that sort of thing. In the meantime, I'll have to keep a
sharp eye on you."

Walt glared at her. "Damn you," he said.

"Why don't the aliens do the fighting for themselves?"

The question was unexpected. "You got it wrong," he said automatically.
"They are helping Lyrians out of the goodness of their hearts." It was
as if he were speaking to Calvin; it made him feel, momentarily,
superior to her. He grasped the opportunity with pathetic gratefulness.
"They're afraid!" he cried triumphantly. "We're not that far advanced
yet!"

Julia paused to consider this. "Yes, that figures," she said. "But
suppose for a minute that you're not a Lyrian. Suppose they're using you
to fight for _them_."

"No," Walt said.

"But why not?"

"No," he repeated. He tried to keep doubt out of his voice. His anger
was gone. He felt uncertain and confused. He could not think clearly.

"You're a mutant," Julia said. "Like I am. Our parents were earthlings.
The aliens are using mutants. The aliens changed our parents' genes--"

"I don't understand that word."

Julia smiled twistedly. "Think how ignorant they kept you, Walt. Isn't
that proof enough for you?"

Walt said nothing.

"... Genes are the substances which transmit characteristics from
generation to generation. If you wish to change hereditary
characteristics, you must change the genes. The aliens changed our genes
so we would be able to use all of our brains. The normal earthling is
just like you are right now: unable to use more than one sixth of his
brain. The aliens collected all the mutants; all of them but me. They
overlooked me."

Walt twisted uncomfortably.

"But they still control us," Julia said. "There is a bridge that is held
closed by a special frequency. That's why we've just recently been able
to use our full powers. They just recently turned the frequency on."

"But--"

"The frequency that controls my bridge is different from the one
controlling yours. There are two groups of mutants on the ship. The
female you saw, the one you thought was a Lyrian, was a mutant from the
other group. I'm on the frequency of that group. It's the group that's
going to attack Earth first. They are the ones that are going to cause
the war your Forential told you about."

* * * * *

Walt's mouth was dry. Stop! he wanted to cry to her. Please, stop!

"... keep birth records," Julia continued. Walt had missed some o