t on, "we were able to get back to your
work on the Time-Space Continuum. We have made some wonderful advances. I
would like to show you--but Gunnar and Odin, I am boring you."

"Wouldn't you care to look at the new lake?" Wolden urged.

"I can take a hint," Gunnar grumbled. "Nobody wants a fighting man about
until the swords are flashing--"

As Odin and Gunnar went down the front steps of the tower, they met the
girl Nea. She was swinging the bowling-ball-shaped satchel at her side.

When they greeted her, Odin felt that he could hold back his curiosity no
longer. "Are you a bowler, Miss Nea?" he asked.

"A bowler!" Then she laughed a silvery laugh. "Oh, no. This is an invention
of mine. My father and I were working on it. He died in the tunnel when it
was flooded." For a second her dark eyes appeared infinitely sad. Then she
laughed again. "But it is not perfected. It may not ever be perfected now.
I thought that perhaps Wolden and Gor might help me with it."

Gunnar muttered some words that might be roughly interpreted as "Fat
Chance" and he and Odin left the girl on the steps.

As they walked around the little lake which was as smooth as a mirror,
Gunnar explained. "Her mother was a cousin to Maya's mother. You know how
the Brons number their kin to the seventh generation. Her father was one of
the Scientists. A brilliant man--but a poor provider. However, he died
nobly. Remember, Nors-King, Nea's branch of the family is a strange group.
They have done brilliant things, but they have thought up some hare-brained
schemes, too. As I said before, she is also kin to Grim Hagen--"

Another day had passed. The voyagers had been summoned to a council hall
within the tower. A screen was set up for the convenience of those who had
been left upon the Nebula.

Wolden arose to speak. "My friends, a troubled question has entered my
mind. As you know, I am a man of peace. My entire life has been spent in
developing theories upon what I call this subject before me. I had thought
it to be something that could be developed within three generations--if we
were left at peace. But we were not left at peace. And I accepted your
decision that we go forth into space and find Grim Hagen. But now I have
learned new things. This discovery of the Moon Metal has advanced my work
by fifty years. Gor here has advanced it farther. We are upon the brink of
perfecting my life's work. Now, I ask that I be relieved of command. Look,
you have