Three of the spacesuited figures ran after Margot as the voice repeated: "Stop her! The box is mine, mine!" It was Garr Symm's voice. Ramsey did not know if he should stop Margot himself, or fight Symm's men. Although they couldn't use their weapons on this world, they could still hurt--possibly even kill--Margot. Ramsey turned and waited for them. The strange, mystic vision was gone. He saw only three space-suited figures, saw Margot walking steadily toward the box. Either she was moving very slowly or the box retreated or it was further away than it had looked at first. For she hadn't reached it yet. Ramsey met the space-suited figures head-on. There were three of them, but they were awkward in their suits, cumbersome, incapable of quick responses. Ramsey hit the first one in the belly and darted back. His fist felt contact with the soft bulk of the insulined suit, then with the harder bulk of the man. He struck again, harder this time. * * * * * The scaly green face of the Irwadi within the space-suit grimaced with pain. He doubled over and fell, his helmet shattering against the ground at Ramsey's feet. Then an incredible thing happened. The Irwadi opened his mouth to scream. His face froze. He lost his air. His face bloated. And he died. Ramsey couldn't believe his eyes. It was not possible to die from lack of air or from cold on a world without the time continuum. Ramsey, Vardin and Margot had proved that by venturing out without protection. But the Irwadi had died. Mental suggestion? Because he thought he would die? Because that was the only way you could perish on a world lacking in the time dimension--by your own thoughts? The second space-suited figure closed with Ramsey awkwardly. Ramsey hit him. The man of Irwadi fell, his helmet cracked, he tried to scream--and died. The third man fled. Ramsey ran after Margot. "Wait!" he cried. He couldn't talk to her about his fantastic vision. It was personal. She wouldn't understand. Mystic experience always is like that. And yet, with the conviction that only a mystic can have--although he certainly was no mystic--Ramsey knew the galaxy would be in grave trouble if mankind were given the secret of matter-transmission. A voice said: "You are right." It was Vardin's voice, and Vardin went on: "Ramsey, stop her. I can't stop her. It is only granted that I observe--and convince, if I can. I am not a Vegan girl. I am--" Ramsey said it. "Proto-man!" "There aren't many of us left. We discovered matter-transmission. We used it once, to people the worlds of the galaxy. It was our final creative effort. We merely observe now, unable to destroy our creation, trying to keep it out of mankind's hands. You see--" "Then back on Irwadi you knew all along we would come here!" "I was vouchsafed the vision, yes. Even as you--stop her, Ramsey. You must stop her!" * * * * *