Nautunal gasped, and stepped away. "But we haven't right! That would be heresy!"
"I claim right. Centuries ago, Healers dreamed of this day, and as Healer I dare to claim right. We will reply to these signals and tell people of Topaz planet that intelligent men do exist on our own world."
Nautunal's eyes had become dreamy and speculative. "I am not certain that we could reply, even if we dared," he said. He looked uncertainly at the other microwave technicians, to see fear looking from their faces, too.
At last one spoke. "I think we could change over to transmission through phase space in about half hour—if we had orders." He hastily turned away, afraid of his own thoughts.
"Responsibility is mine," said Bidagha. "I speak with authority of my calling. We will send same set of mathematical tables we have received, and then periodic table of elements as they exist here."
Pehn felt confused, battered with warring emotions, and too tired to think or speak. But Nautunal moved with abrupt decision.
"If you order it, Bidagha, we will try." He turned to his technicians. "We'll start work immediately."
Nearly an hour had passed before the wave modulator was reported ready. In the highest level of the dome, they watched nervously as Nautunal turned up the power and worried the dials.
"All set?" he said.
There was no reply. In a dead silence he touched the button, and started an impulse driving towards the star Topaz.