"Well, in that case, let me put it this way. The machine controlled these artificial forms, but they could be taken over by any one of the Gods or demi-Gods for special purposes. As I say, it was public relations--and a good way to keep the populace impressed--and under control." "The creatures aren't around nowadays," Forrester pointed out. "Nowadays we don't need them," Diana said. "There are other methods--better public relations, I suppose." Forrester didn't know he was going to ask his next question until he heard himself doing so. But it was the question he really wanted to ask; he knew that as soon as he knew he asked it. "Why?" he said. Diana looked at him with a puzzled expression. "Why? What do you mean?" "Why go on being Gods? Why dominate humanity?" "I suppose I could answer your question with another question--why not? But I won't. Instead, let me remind you of some things. Look what we've done during the last century. The great wars that wrecked Europe--you don't see any possibility of more of those, do you? And the threat of atomic war is gone, too, isn't it?" "Well, yes," Forrester said, "but--" "But we still have wars," Diana said. "Sure we do. The male animal just wouldn't be happy if he didn't have a chance to go out and get himself blown to bits once in a while. Don't ask _me_ to explain that--I'm not a male." Forrester agreed silently. Diana was not a male. It was the most understated statement he had ever heard. "But anyhow," Diana said, "they want wars, so they have wars. Mars sees that the wars stay small and keep within the Martian Conventions, though, so any really widespread damage or destruction, or any wanton attacks on civilians, are a thing of the past. And it's not only wars, kid. It's everything." "What do you mean, everything?" "Man needs a god, a personal god. When he doesn't have one ready to hand, he makes one up--and look at the havoc that has caused. A god of vengeance, a god who cheers you on to kill your enemies.... You've studied history. Tell me about the gods of various nations. Tell me about Thor and Baal and the original bloodthirsty Yahweh. People _need_ gods." "Now wait a minute," Forrester objected. "The Chinese--" "Oh, sure," Diana said. "There are exceptions. But you can't bank on the exceptions. If you want a reasonably safe, sane and happy humanity, then you'd better make sure your gods are not going to start screaming for war against the neighbors or against the infidels or against--well, against anybody and everybody. There's only one way to make sure, kid. We've found that way. We _are_ the Gods." Forrester digested that one slowly. "It sounds great, but it's pretty altruistic. And while I don't want to impugn anybody's motives, it does seem to me that--" "That we ought to be getting something out of it ourselves, above and beyond the pure joy of helping humanity. Sure. You're perfectly right. And we _do_ get something out of it." "Like what?"