"I discovered by chance a counteraction for R4's _idea_. We are ruled by this, you see. There are only a hundred of us Capeks, all living here. Our science making others unnecessary, we limited ourselves to that number after conquering the world. This is the reign of R4. Each ruler governs the others by his _idea_--obedience to him instilled in each new brain by the royal vibration-ray. With my counteractive mechanism, I was able to liberate myself from his control, and my mind now free to individual thought, I shall usurp the throne. I could not trust the others. You arrived most opportunely. I shall give you _my idea_ and you shall aid me!" Rod stared about the room helplessly. He was a pawn to this creature, body and mind. He was but a consciousness that had no will. The machine called 83 glided to a cabinet upon the wall, returned with two long, jointed bars and a little wheeled carriage like his own. He put the burden on the floor beside Rod's cylinder and commenced to work, metal arms and tendril hands flying skilfully as he assembled the disjointed parts. "I shall fit your arms and rollers, then give you the conditioning-accellerator for my idea," said 83. Rod watched the progress, his mind far away. Five thousand years.... It could not be--but it was! It was true; the metal body, these arms of metal which were being prepared for him, this feeling of disembodiment--it was no dream--he was no longer a man, a human being; he was a thing of inorganization, a robot of no feeling, no sensation. He was nothing but a severed brain, without even the power to die.... "Can you never die?" he impassively voiced his thoughts. "Yes, in a way perhaps. Our span, even with a perfected metabolic system, but little more than doubles normal mortality; depending upon the quality of the particular brain. But then we simply change to another. We remain the same. Only the ruler's number changes with the new brain." "How does the brain live?" "By a simple counterpart of its original requirements and a delicate system of connectives with which it controls the body. Naturally, under these perfect conditions it would be immortal did not the perfection also produce physical growth. It must be changed when the size increases to such an extent that pressure upon the cup impares its utility." "Do you construct the brains also?" "Oh, no. We breed them. There is apparently no other method; but the supply is plentiful. They are bred constantly in the stock yards." Rod was horrified at his coldness. But what warmth of the human soul could long dwell in such a malanthropy of glass and steel? Then a faint spark came to sudden life within him. "You keep live human beings here, breed them?" * * * * * "Certainly. We keep several hundred of the live stock ready at all times." "Where are they kept?" "In compartments at the north end of the shop. They are raised under perfect conditions and regularly thinned out."