“I think it’s all over.... Yes, look, they’re opening up the booths. Somebody must’ve scored a victory.” They watched intently while the other newsmen quickly filed back into the gallery. “There’s Odal. He looks happy.” “Guess that means—” “Good Lord! Look at Dulaq!” II Dr. Leoh was lecturing at the Carinae Regional University when the news of Dulaq’s duel reached him. An assistant professor perpetrated the unthinkable breach of interrupting the lecture to whisper the news in his ear. Leoh nodded grimly, hurriedly finished his lecture, and then accompanied the assistant professor to the University president’s office. They stood in silence as the slideway whisked them through the strolling students and blossoming greenery of the quietly-busy campus. Leoh remained wrapped in his thoughts as they entered the administration building and rode the lift tube. Finally, as they stepped through the president’s doorway, Leoh asked the assistant professor: “You say he was in a state of catatonic shock when they removed him from the machine?” “He still is,” the president answered from his desk. “Completely withdrawn from the real world. Cannot speak, hear, or even see—a living vegetable.” Leoh plopped down in the nearest chair and ran a hand across his fleshy face. He was balding and jowly, but his face was creased from a smile that was almost habitual, and his eyes were active and alert. “I don’t understand it,” he admitted. “Nothing like this has ever happened in a dueling machine before.” The university president shrugged. “I don’t understand it either. But, this is your business.” He put a slight emphasis on the last word, unconsciously perhaps. “Well, at least this will not reflect on the university. That is why I formed Psychonics as a separate business enterprise.” Then he added, with a grin, “The money was, of course, only a secondary consideration.” The president managed a smile. “Of course.” “I suppose the Acquatainians want to see me?” Leoh asked academically. “They’re on the tri-di now, waiting for you.” “They’re holding a transmission frequency open over eight hundred parsecs?” Leoh looked impressed. “I must be an important man.” “You’re the inventor of the dueling machine and the head of Psychonics, Inc. You’re the only man who can tell them what went wrong.” “Well, I suppose I shouldn’t keep them waiting.” “You can take the call here,” the president said, starting to get up from his chair. “No, no, stay there at your desk,” Leoh insisted. “There’s no reason for you to leave. Or you either,” he said to the assistant professor. The president touched a button on his desk communicator. The far wall of the office glowed momentarily, then seemed to dissolve. They were looking into another office, this one on Acquatainia. It was crowded with nervous-looking men in business clothes and military uniforms. “Gentlemen,” Dr. Leoh said.