"Liberty will never be 'in power,' Mr. Craig," Cocteau said quietly. "Liberty will attempt to reach the minds of the people with our message of hope, of freedom in true democracy." Another of the group joined Cocteau. "We are now hunted as criminals. We have only this small stronghold in the old city." "We shall attempt only to gain entry to the minds of the people," said Cocteau. "Gain entry to tell them how they live, for most of them have had no contact with any other kind of life." "It would mean killing a few people," Craig pointed out. "One of the basic principles of Liberty is the inherent goodness of every man," Cocteau repeated. "We have never taken a life, even in self-defense. We shall never take one. Nor will it ever be necessary for a member of the Liberty party to hold public office, to own a weapon, to coerce a man in any physical way." "But you will coerce them with ideas. Is that what you have in mind?" Craig protested. "If a point of view, a promise, a goal is coercion, then the answer to your question is yes. But ideas are not dangerous when a man is free to argue and act against them." "Look here, Cocteau," Craig said earnestly, "all you say may be true. I believe it is. But what can I do? I'm a spaceman, or at best an apprentice import clerk. I don't know anything about this sort of work." "Come here a moment," invited a member of the group. Through the window indicated by the man, Craig saw an incredible sight. The entire scene seemed to be on the inside of a vast underground cavern. There were other buildings and some kind of systematic work being done by many men and women. But the thing that caught Craig's eye seemed to be cradled in a kind of hangar. "A spaceship!" exclaimed Craig. "A very modest one, yet not so modest when you consider that it was necessary to carry in every single piece and part by hand." "Good Lord!" "_You_, Mr. Craig, might captain that ship. Very few Terrans have ever even flown in one. It will be necessary to establish contact with possible assistance outside of Terra. You can make that possible." Craig was thoughtful. "I suppose, now that I've seen all this, you can't let me leave here unless I join you." "No," denied Cocteau. "You may leave here any time you like." "I'd be sure to get caught, of course...." "Within limits, it might be possible to help you avoid capture." Cocteau reached into his beggar's coat and withdrew a wallet. "Identity card, food ration, clothing, work card, even a Government party card. It's all here, Mr. Craig. You could have a slightly altered physical appearance. Liberty accepts no unwilling members. You are given as nearly a free choice in this matter as is possible to give you." "Suppose I talked?" asked Craig, nodding bluntly toward the port.