In the signal dome Pehn found the specialists still at work, pale and tense from lack of sleep. Some still conferred over pages of mathematical equations, some watched the tape which monotonously continued to record the symbols. Bidagha strode forward to meet him. "We've finally found key to vocabulary, Pehn, and others are at work now on main body of message. Signals are undoubtedly coming from one of planets of sun we call Topaz. It has system of nine planets, and waves are being sent from third. All my life I've believed that there were other planet systems like ours, and other intelligences in galaxy, but now that one of them is signalling us, I can hardly make myself believe it!" From the top gallery, high in the dome, Nautunal ran down the spiral ramp. "We're getting it now, Bidagha! Planet of Topaz, is signalling this entire sector of galaxy, hoping to find planets with intelligent life on them. They wish to communicate, to exchange information, and they offer to visit any planet which would welcome them." "Then they can travel through space?" "Yes. They say they are only twenty-seven light-years away." Bidagha's shoulders drooped in disappointment. "But if these signals have been twenty-seven years on way, it would take us another twenty-seven years to answer them. I shall never live to see their visit!" "But you don't understand, Bidagha. I forgot this isn't your field. These waves are coming through phase space, and they go much faster than speed of light. They reach us almost instantaneously." Pehn began to laugh. He felt light-headed, and for some reason amused. "I suppose you all remember my father's Jarlu lecture, in which he demonstrated mathematically that life or intelligence on any planet except Zenob was impossible. He pointed out that unique properties of carbon compounds of which we are composed could never be duplicated on another planet. And how remarkable circumstance of our having Ice I, only form of solid water that can float, had allowed life to evolve on Zenob, alone. Poor father! This will be hard on him. Of course, you are not going to send answer?" Bidagha had seemed to be in meditation, but now he spoke in a commanding tone. "Of course we must reply!" Nautunal gasped, and stepped away. "But we haven't right! That would be heresy!" "I claim right. Centuries ago, Healers dreamed of this day, and as Healer I dare to claim right. We will reply to these signals and tell people of Topaz planet that intelligent men do exist on our own world." Nautunal's eyes had become dreamy and speculative. "I am not certain that we _could_ reply, even if we dared," he said. He looked uncertainly at the other microwave technicians, to see fear looking from their faces, too. At last one spoke. "_I_ think we could change over to transmission through phase space in about half hour--if we had orders." He hastily turned away, afraid of his own thoughts.