"Even so, we will not sow the seeds of new conflict in the peace of the old. Lay down your arms in peaceful surrender and I offer you the pledge of two worlds that about the conference table shall be reasoned the merits of a new and lasting peace for all concerned." "And if I do not?" demanded Borisu. "Then," Kang promised him, "you shall surely die. And as for your city--" He paused and gestured toward the visionplate. Words were needless in the face of that which might there now be seen. The silver tube of the _Liberty_, shimmering faintly in the atmosphere of Magog, surrounded with its impenetrable force-shield, flying supremely aloft above the capital city, coming to sedate rest directly over the citadel. "There is your answer, Borisu. The decision is yours. There is little time in which to make it. Speak, or--" * * * * * And Borisu capitulated. With a grinding cry, he reached for the diaphragm Kang offered him. The Martian doctor depressed a series of studs, and instantaneously, in a thousand chambers and corridors scattered throughout the whole of the Palace Royal, there appeared on vision plates before the startled eyes of all the embattled Magogeans an image of him who was a _kraedar_ supreme in the Inner Council of Magog. And they heard his cracked voice crying out its message. "_Brothers of Magog, lay down your arms! About our city are entrenched our Gogean foes. Above our citadel hovers a vessel which, if we do not surrender, will blast us all to atoms. Your guns, as you have learned, are useless. The foe has overthrown our might. Surrender!_" The vision plate went dead. Throughout the whole of the Palace Royal a murmuring arose. Men lifted from concealment, and doors once barred were opened as a race trained to obedience followed the instructions of a superior. The battle of Magog was ended. * * * * * Days before, hours before, even short minutes ago, Gary Lane had hated this little man who stood beside him. Had wished nothing more than an opportunity to meet him face to face, and crush the life from his treacherous little body. But a victor can afford to be magnanimous. And now, in this moment of triumph, Gary found it in his heart to feel commiseration for one who, though he fought to distorted ends, had seen his empire fall before a braver, cleverer force. He turned to Borisu, and in a quiet voice he said, "Well done, Borisu. You have my pledge, with that of Dr. Kang, that you shall not regret this move. There shall be no vindictiveness in the peace terms we offer. Only justice and equality for all. No more warring between our worlds." And Borisu said quietly, "Yes, it is over. It is done. It is finished ... and I have lost. I will not say I am not sorry, but we must bow to the inevitable. And now, Dr. Kang, my bonds? I am free to--"