"Your world would call it astral projection, in which the spirit levitates from the body and crosses distance. The high-energy potential of the mind is used to dissociate the ethereal self, with which I include the mental self, from the matter of the body."
Thor grunted dubiously, but the Discoverer went on, "I was engaged in astral projection to the Magellanic Cluster when this space lapped at my body that rested in the ruins of ancient Flormaseron. It is a form of magnetic current that did the trick. Not ordinary magnetism, but a current of it."
Thor thought of the Ehrenhaft experiments and nodded. He said, "And what of this world where we are? We saw some men—"
"Not men. Androids. They are semi-human, invested by Aava with a synthetic life-force."
"Aava?"
"Aava is the Green Flame. He rules this land. He is like nothing I have ever seen. He can create, to an extent. He can destroy. He has made androids to serve him, but he is limited in materials on this planet. It is mostly rock and sand. If he had enough material, he could make millions of the androids. As it is, he can, and has made only thousands."
Thor said abruptly, "Can we get back to Earth and to Klogor?"
"Defeat Aava, learn the secret of this universe and destroy it, and you may return."
"Aava. You called him the Green Flame. Where can I find him?"
Thor caught a flicker of humor in the thoughts that flooded his brain. "Would you see Aava? I will show him to you. Lie down, on your back. So. I warn you, control your thoughts. If Aava suspects he is watched, you are doomed."