It broke off short in a scream. There was a flurry of shots, a white flash in the darkness and a concussion that shook the cabin. He felt Janice turn and run purposefully through the darkness toward the second 'copter. The third machine was dropping in for landing when he identified its pilot. "Kitty!" he breathed. "Dear God, Kitty!" She was at the door, the terror and tenderness of her crying overwhelming his flinching perception. "Philip, let me in! Philip darling, are you all right?" She was inside and in his arms before he could prevent it. She clung to him frantically until the effect of his presence calmed her. The terror went out of her eyes slowly, but the tears glistening on her cheeks contradicted her smile of relief. "Thank God you're safe, Philip! When I heard on the visinews about Dr. Hagen--" Janice Wynn's silent command was violent in Alcorn's head. _Put her out quickly! Do you want her there when your own change comes?_ He caught Kitty's hands and drew her toward the door. "You can't stay here, Kitty. There's no time to explain. I'll call later and tell you everything." She showed her hurt beneath the placidity his gift imposed upon her. "If I must, Philip. But--" He threw open the door. "Don't argue, Kitty. For God's sake, go!" * * * * * The blast of the second turbo-copter's explosion might have precipitated the seizure that took him just then. The polar plain sprang up about him, more terribly cold and stark than ever, its clustering buildings and metal machines standing out in such clear perspective that he was certain he could have put out a hand and touched them. But the people were faceless no longer, except for one that knelt before the group in a tense attitude. Janice Wynn stood over that one while its features filled in slowly, line by line, growing more and more familiar as the face neared identity. By the time Alcorn realized that it was his own face, the change was fully upon him. A vast icy wind roared in his ears. A force seized and flung him, distorted and disoriented, to infinity. There was darkness and terror and then a chorus of calm voices calling reassurance. Pain gripped him, and panic, and finally an ecstasy of remembering that was beyond imagining. Dimly, he heard Kitty's screaming. Something struck him furiously on the shoulder and he felt his distant physical body struggle automatically for balance. A second blow caught him on the temple and he fell heavily, his new awareness flickering toward unconsciousness. There was a confusion of voices about him and Kitty's raw shrilling died away. He lay still, secure in the certainty that he was no longer alone. Mind after mind brushed his, lightly, yet more warming than any clasping of hands, and with each touch, he identified and embraced an old friend whose regard was dearer than his own life. He knew who they were. He was one of them--again.