lent and with clock-like
regularity the agents of Omega performed their functions. Man had
mastered all the elements of life. All were his friends and servants,
and none was his master save one--death.

In a perfect setting and exactly at the time set for the event Alpha
came into the world, the child thrived from its first intake of earth's
air.

Three weeks from birth Alpha partook of solid food in tablet form drawn
chiefly from gaseous sources. At two months his speech was perfect, and
at six months his education began. By glandular control Omega nurtured
both his body and his mind and developed them rapidly. Small wonder that
this child--the last to grace and bless the world--became his parent's
only joy and hope. They guarded him from all dangers, instructed him in
the great part he was to play in the world's future and set about to
conserve that element on which all depended--the waters of the lake.

* * * * *

But during all these long, hot days and frigid nights, the close
proximity of the monster cast a shadow over their souls, marred their
happiness by day and terrorized their dreams by night. Often, when the
sun beat down upon the lake, they saw his hideous head rise high above
the water and regard them with baleful eyes. Twice while at play Alpha
had seen him and had run screaming to the protection of his mother, who
had great difficulty in persuading him that there was no danger. This
seemed to be true, for the monster made no attempt to force the fence.
Endowed with more than the cunning of its remote progenitors, it seemed
to realize that it was trapped. Many nights Omega and Thalma, armed with
their ray guns and other implements of destruction, watched for the
beast to attempt to come on land. Sometimes he would raise his head and
look at them so long and steadily that icy chills ran along their spines
and their hands shook so that they could not sight their weapons and
therefore shot wild. Then the head would sink out of sight again.

Secure as they felt against his horrible presence it finally began to
sap their courage. Besides, the lake fascinated Alpha, now but three
years old but large and strong. He loved to wander by its shore and
dabble in the water, but so long as the beast remained, an ever present
danger was in this play. Besides there was the fear that he might escape
the watchfulness of his parents and come in contact with one of the high
tension cables.