"Yes. Back when the Kalquoi first came to our system, someone discovered that high-frequency Udellian waves kept them from changing shape or swallowing up things. And if the amplification was strong enough, the waves would even shatter the crystals, the Kalquoi bodies. That was the whole idea behind the shaft: to destroy the Kalquoi if they tried to attack Sandoz."
"And what happened?"
Nelva shrugged slim shoulders. "I'm not enough of a tech in that field to tell you, really. But as I understand it, it turned out that the shaft was one of those things that works fine when you hold the size down to a laboratory model."
"But when they increased the size it wouldn't work?"
"That's right," Nelva nodded. "It seems that when the transmitter got beyond a certain size, the amount of power it took climbed way out of proportion—so much so the available broadcast relay equipment couldn't even activate the shaft, let alone make it effective against the Kalquoi."
"So?"
"So the Kalquoi came, and Sandoz—all Callisto—was abandoned." Nelva lifted her hands in a small, sad gesture. "That's all I know, Clark. Every bit."
Dane nodded slowly.
Nelva said, "I'm afraid that's the way it may turn out with all your questions. There won't be any answers—not real answers; not the kind that can help you. That's why I'm so anxious to see to it Security doesn't find you."
Dane pondered her words for a long, dragging moment. Finally he asked, "Where's that carrier you picked me up in?"