"Traitor!" Was the universal cry. "Apostate, blasphemer!" From among the scientific swarm that had completely forgotten their dignity, a tall, white-bearded scientist detached himself and raising both arms roared: "Silence! The Master will speak!" The pandemonium ceased like a receding storm. Mark Lynn waited. Contemptuously he eyed the sleek bodies clothed in costly raiment, the bejeweled fingers and cruel faces. A wave of revulsion swept over him as he remembered what countless millions had suffered at their hands. And as he waited, a deep, magnificently modulated voice broke the stillness:
"You offer peace!" Low, sardonic laughter slashed like a scimitar. "Peace I shall grant you earthling... in the power reserve! You and that addled female who has betrayed her scientist's oath, and that foppish Martian who even dares to ape my robes. To the rest of the dissenters, conditioning by the controls and rigid supervision for fifteen years. Those who are immune to controls, shall be condemned to power reserve."
He paused as if relishing the effect of words that sealed a planet's doom. Then: "As for those humanoid creatures with silver furs Doctor Verdugo mentioned in his message, we have already planned their orbit of achievement ... that is," the satanic chuckle rose again, "for the ones we spare to serve, the rest shall be disposed of properly."
The unseen speaker's voice ceased, as if there were nothing more to be said.
In the momentary silence the voice of a robot boomed behind him:
"Master, a messenger from Panadur!"
Mark Lynn whirled and saw a new type of robot, whose delicate features resembled uncannily those of the beings of Europa. Its beryl eyes regarded him steadily as it stood motionless flanked by two robot guards. Then Mark received the telepathic message flashing from the super-robot's brain:
"I, Leader of Panadur, have attended to represent my People."
For an instant Mark wondered if the Leader had somehow transferred his own brain to the metal man, for some obscure purpose of his own, but telepathically, he was reassured.