A wave of tenderness swept over him. She would give her life for him--and what would he give? Nothing. Not even his prejudices. His face twisted. If she was only human, If she wasn’t just an animal. If he wasn’t a Betan. If, if, if. Resentment gorged his throat. It was unfair--so damned unfair. He had no business coming here. He should have stayed on Beta or at least on a human world where he would never have met Copper. He loved her, but he couldn’t have her. It was Tantalus and Sisyphus rolled into one unsightly package and fastened to his soul. With a muttered curse he rose to his feet, and as he did he stopped--frozen--staring at Copper as though he had never seen her before. “How did you say that Roga was judged responsible for Alexander coming here?” he demanded. “He went into Lyssa’s tower--where Ulf and Lyssa tried to call Heaven--and with his foolish meddling set the tower alight with a glow that all could see. Less than a week later the Man Alexander came.” “Where was this tower?” “Where Alexandria now stands. Man Alexander destroyed it and built his house upon its ruins.” “And what was that place of the Pit?” “The Shrine of Ulf--where the God-Egg struck Flora. It is buried in the pit, but the Silent Death has protected it from blasphemy--and besides Man Alexander never learned about it. We feared that he would destroy it as he did Lyssa’s tower.” A wild hope stirred in Kennon. “We’re going home,” he announced. “Good.” “And we’re going to get a pair of radiation suits--and then we’re coming back. We’ll have a good look at that Pit, and if what’s in there is what I think it is”--his face was a mixture of grimness and eagerness--“we’ll blow this whole operation off this planet!” Copper blanched. “It is death to meddle with the God-Egg,” she said. “Superstition!” Kennon scoffed. “If that Egg is what I think, it was made by men, and you are their descendant.” “Perhaps you’re right, but I can’t help thinking you are wrong,” she said soberly. “Look at the trouble that came with Roga’s meddling. Be careful that you do not bring us a worse fate.” “I’ll be very careful. We’ll take every precaution.” “We?” “You’re coming, of course. I can’t imagine you staying away.” Copper nodded. “You shouldn’t worry so much,” Kennon teased. “You know we men live forever.” “That is true.” “And if I’m right you’re just as human as I. And you’re capable of living as long as I do.” “Yes, sir,” Copper said. Her voice was unconvinced, her expression noncommittal. “You females,” Kennon said in quick exasperation. “You drive a man crazy. Get an idea in your head and it takes triatomate to blast it out. Now let’s go.”