Kaliz seemed to smile. "We already have it. It's merely a question of transporting it." He put a long-fingered hand to his furry chest where, almost hidden in the blue-gray fur, was a flat perforated disk. He said into it, "Show them that New York is ours!" "Wait!" Rezar said. "Merely a demonstration," Kaliz told him, "for the moment at least." Frank Fogarty's voice, alarmed, said urgently, "Tell him we believe him. New York's reporting an earthquake, or something very like it. For God's sake tell him to put it back while we reorient our thinking." Kaliz nodded in satisfaction. "The city is as it was. Our people under New York raised it a mere fraction of an inch. It could as easily have been a mile. Do not underestimate our power." Rezar was agitated. "We came in peace," he said to his fellow Gizl. "Let us not leave in war. There's power on both sides, capable of untold destruction. Neither must use it. We are a democratic people. Let us vote. I say we must not take New York." "And I say we must," Kaliz told him, "in self-interest." They turned to the third of their people, who had been looking from one to the other, his eyes reflecting indecision. Kaliz barked at him: "Well, Ezial? Vote!" Ezial said, "I abstain." Deadlock. Don was sweating. He looked at the others in the room. They were tense but silent, apparently willing to leave it up to Don and his link with the Defense Department. Frank Fogarty's voice said: "SAC has been airborne in total strength for half an hour, General. It was a purely precautionary alert at the time." Don started to interrupt. "I know they hear me," the Secretary of Defense said. "I intend that they should. We don't want to fight but we will if we must. Son ..." The rough voice faltered for a moment. "If necessary, we'll destroy Superior to kill this alien and save New York. As a soldier, I hope you understand. It's the lives of three thousand people against the lives of eight million." Only Don and the Gizl had heard. Don looked across the room and into Alis' eyes. She gave him a tentative smile, noting his grave expression. "Yes, sir," Don said finally. Rezar spoke. "This is folly." He touched the disk in the fur of his own chest. "No!" Kaliz cried. "It is time," Rezar said. "We are beginning to fail in our mission." He spoke reverently into the disk, "My lord, awake." Kaliz said quickly, "Raise New York! Take it up!" "They will not obey you now," Rezar said. "I have invoked the counsel of the Master." * * * * * The man was frail and incredibly old. He had sparse white hair and a deeply lined face, but his eyes were alert and wise. He wore a cloak-like garment of soft, warm-looking material. His expression was one of kindliness but strength. The doorbell had rung and Mrs. Garet had answered it. The old man had walked slowly into the room, followed respectfully by two Gizls.