“The Tetrarchs are not human in shape. They’re really flame-like gobs of energy--probably phosphoric in nature. For some reason, they fashioned plastic bodies which resembled human figures. They have always used these bodies in their dealings with humans--unless they’re hunting.” Williamson nodded approvingly. “We stole a few of those imitation bodies. They’re all pretty much the same, except for the masks. The ones they use on Earth are built in. Here in Tetrarch they’re removable. They fashioned them to conceal their real structure after they investigated Earth. We humans never knew of them until they made their appearance in camouflage. They studied us first, devised the body and then established relations.” “Yeah,” a Survivor interrupted, “When they took us in, they took us over--but good! They couldn’t have done it any other way--with their one lousy town on a two-bit planet.” “Under normal temperature conditions,” Rod continued, “they’re gaseous. As it gets colder they become less active and then they turn to liquid.” “That’s right, chief, and when it gets really cold,” another Survivor added, “they turn to solid. When we win this fight I’m going to get me a tetrarch, freeze it, and use it for a light in my fishing lodge.” “Oh no, you’re not,” a barrel-chested earthman, incongruously named Bunny, informed him, “you’re going to contribute it to help spell Mona Darlanan’s name in lights on Broadway.” “What’ that again?” Rod’s tone had sharpened. “Mona Darlanan, boss. She’s the greatest actress of them all--bar none.” Bunny grinned disarmingly. “Bet you didn’t know you was her messenger boy.” “That’s right, Rod.” Bill Williamson picked up Rod’s discarded space suit. “Here,” he suppressed a smile with difficulty, “she’s put a note on your helmet latching. It’s in code and says she expects to get called in to start you on your way.” There was no stopping Williamson’s laughter, “Look! It says here she’s known you a long time and you’re an old sober-sides. She expects to hug you before you start out and she hopes you’ll like it.” “Nice goin’, chief. She didn’t hug me.” Bunny was glum on this point. “Wait a minute, guys.” Rod silenced the laughter. “You’re all wrong. That girl betrayed me--she’s gone over to the tetrarchs--lock, stock and barrel.” “Let’s hear about it, Rod.” Williamson was intent. Rod recounted briefly what had happened when Mona Darlanan had read his sign language. When he was through, Bill Williamson was silent for a long moment. Then he spoke slowly, “Rod, you’re the only one who ever arrived on Tetrarch knowing of our existence. As a matter of fact, Mona was responsible for smuggling that note aboard the space ship--the one that brought you here. You came close to giving the whole show away with your sign language gag. Mona Darlanan was smart enough to realize that and she took the one sure way to get you on your way to us.” “I don’t catch.” Rod Harrow’s face was a study in bewilderment.