"Nature has her safeguards. She knows the dangers of becoming too wise too soon. Therefore she causes sterility. Strange thing, Wanniston, but there is absolutely no way in which to energize the brain without it. One must permit evolution to take its course. One must hope that his song will have greater native intelligence. Look, Wanniston. Your father, when a boy, played with toys of a technical nature not even known ten centuries before. You as a boy scorned making your construction toy operate as a prime mover, with anything so archaic as an atomic converter. You demanded the prime, the ultimate; the Solar Phoenix in miniature. Nowadays, the kids insist upon using miniature directive-generators.
"Directive power," continued Gerd, "is the daily work. Years ago it took men most of their lives to study it, today the kids play with it in toys. Tomorrow—perhaps one of your race will discover interstellar power—Galactic Power—and your sons and grandsons will demand minute galactic generators to run their gadgets. Ten centuries ago, children were toying with electricity—today they are playing with directives. That, Wanniston, is wisdom gained in the proper way."
"And what should I do?"
"Instead of using your power to gain the world, you might use that intellect to better mankind." Gerd stretched and stood up. "But you will not," he finished. "Your type will not."
"No, I will not."
Gerd led Wanniston to the door, and courteously showed him out. "I hope to see you again," he said honestly. Wanniston nodded; the financier understood. Despite a difference in attitude between the emissary and himself, he knew that having another with an equal intelligence was desirable. Wanniston did not require it, but the emissary was a friend to all, an extrovert, and required friendship.
Wanniston would return. Gerd Lel Rayne was covering something. There was more to Gerd Lel Rayne than met the eye, and he knew it. He understood, with Gerd, all that Gerd said regarding help for Terra in scientific matters. Rayne could advise, could occasionally point out minor errors or make suggestions, but could not openly state facts. Well, Wanniston wanted to know the secret. He'd be back.
Gaya Lel Rayne entered the room and caught her husband's mental distress, slight as it was. She came over beside him and added to the impact of her presence with him the powerful attraction of her. Gerd put a hand on her shoulder and they flowed together momentarily. Powerful were their minds, and powerful was the feeling between them; no Terran could have entertained a bitter thought within several hundred feet of their embrace.
"What is it, Gerd?" she asked.