"A new theory," Kelburn said, though it wasn't, for they had left. "What makes you think they were afraid?"
"No air. If your calculations are right, there must have been an extensive atmosphere a few hundred thousand years ago and now there isn't any. A planet this size doesn't lose air that fast. Therefore, it's an artificial condition. Who takes the trouble to leave a planet uninhabitable except someone who's afraid others will use it—and who else runs away?"
"They may have done it to preserve what they left," suggested Halden.
"Perhaps," said Taphetta, but it was obvious he didn't think so.
The lack of air had one thing to recommend it—they needn't worry about their pests escaping. The disadvantage was that they had to wear spacesuits. They landed on top of a great building that was intact after thousands of years and still strong enough to support the added weight. And then—
Then there was nothing.
