"Probably because he didn't have anything to be practical about," Barlow sneered. "Now he's got the Mental Ray you said you gave him, and he controls two continents with absolute power—and is thinking of expanding. The only ones in all the Americas who can even think he's wrong are a few like me—ones who for some reason, aren't affected by the ray which orders your thoughts to an approved pattern."
"The dirty heel!" Valnar spat. "I'm going back and kill him. So long!"
"Wait! What good will that do? He's here now, so that proves you didn't kill him. But you caused all this mess; help us free ourselves."
"I can kill him; and I will. I'll create a new branch of the tree—a world where Dodson died right after protecting the Americas."
"But what about this branch!" Barlow shouted as Valnar's hand went to the plaque on his chest. "According to your screwy theory this limb will still be going strong."
Valnar hesitated. "You're right," he admitted, lowering his hand. "We might as well create two new limbs, one right here."
Barlow waited, watching Valnar. Somehow he was impressed by the other. He no longer considered him merely a liar; there was something strange about the newcomer. And the circumstances surrounding the discovery of the Mental Ray had never been explained. Dodson was no scientist, and yet he and no other knew the more complicated parts of the powerful electrical broadcaster that matched the thought waves of the people and heterodyned those he considered undesirable.
"I'll have to acquaint myself with the circumstances," said Valnar.
"Okay, what do you want to know?" Barlow offered.
Valnar looked at him slyly. "It would be much more pleasant to learn from that girl you were with. I always try to make my work pleasant."