"Showing the fallacy of your actions," snapped Thompson. "Had you been wiser, you would have known that the untrained ability to be a genius is less important than a normal man working at high intensity. Question your own judgment, Hotang Lu. And worry--in retrospect!" XVI. The Loard-vogh expanded their sphere. And like the attack upon Procyon IV, another globe of Loard-vogh dropped upon the planet. The power distribution center fought against itself and sapped power dangerously to drive off this new invasion. A third invasion turned the trick. Power distribution failed; fell apart despite attempts to hold the network together. "Your secret!" screamed Hotang Lu to Thompson. Billy shook his head. "It is not yet time." The Tlemban appealed to Kennebec. The Co-ordinator of the Solar Combine agreed with Billy. "You still do not understand," he told Hotang Lu. He faced Lane and Downing. "They will conquer us!" Lane spoke for the pair of them. "You needn't appeal to us. I had partial foresight before--you said so. He had the ability to make lightning plans." He turned to Downing. "Or was it the other way around?" "No matter," answered Stellor Downing. "Foresight is no good when planning is a part of the psyche. Instinctive and impetuous action do not match well with a planning nature. Since the transformation, we have both been slower--and quite bewildered, most of the time. No, Hotang Lu, all you can get from us is resentment over losing our ability to lead. Now, we no longer decide anything for ourselves. We cannot make up our minds." Hotang Lu went to Patricia. "And you?" "I am not a ruling voice." "Prevail upon them." "It is not my place. Besides, you do not understand." "I understand this!" exploded Hotang Lu. "You are invaded. You will be conquered. You will join the slaves of the Loard-vogh. They will strip you from your homes and make you work for them. You will be driven and killed, for they have no compassion. They have no need of frugality in slaves. Terra will die." "It is not yet time." "Your judgment is faulty!" shouted Hotang Lu. He hurled himself from the house and into his tiny spacecraft. He paused for only an instant to view the grave of Toralen Ki on the broad green lawn, and then he drove upward in superdrive. His size and his speed got him through, and Hotang Lu headed for Tlembo--alone and a beaten man. * * * * * Lindoo picked up the communicator and spoke to the operator. The connection beamed across the light-years and found Vorgan. "Lord of All, it is going well." "Give me the details. I was afraid of their secret weapon." "Lord of All, the phrase 'secret weapon' is an old Solarian trick. It is meaningless." "Go on."