Doctor Verdugo's cranium was trepanned and opened, Alcoran deftly extracted the brain operating with the mastery that had been Verdugo's. Then he opened the brain pan of the Panadur and removed certain parts from its alien brain, including the pituitary at the apex, which seemed enormous in comparison with the size of the Panadur's brain, and grafted it to what had been the brain of Doctor Verdugo. Then as a swarm of Panadurs dragged a robot forward, he inserted the organic brain in the super-robot's helmet, made the necessary connections, completed the task and sealed the incision. Verdugo's body was carried away. The same swarm of Panadurs circled the super-robot, and began to generate energy potential which they transmitted to the quiescent brain in its metal head. Slowly, the superb metal man rose from the table and with slender, delicate hands grasped its head. Its brilliant beryl eyes of purest indestructible crystal, glowed in the chiseled semi-triangular face. Suddenly it raised its head and gazed straight at the Panadur leader, and as if it had received a command, it bowed silently. Then, with the lithe, cat-like stride of the Panadurs it headed for the exit of the Cavern and was gone. An expression of triumph exalted the Leader's features. "Hereafter," he thought, "the energy output to control robots' brains telepathically, will not be necessary. _They could be rendered telepathic!_" It was then the Leader turned majestically toward the cavern's depths and issued his final command to the waiting legions of his people. The robots with the mechanical brains, nearly a thousand strong, marched forward, and, behind them, rank upon rank of the countless furry Panadurs. Once outside in the artificial sunlight of Europa, only the myriad bullet-shaped, miniature spacers flashing in the golden light, drew their eyes. The distant rows of tiny, waiting ships drew robots and Panadurs alike like a magnet and the immense army of silver-gray beings with a vanguard of metal men swept forward, eerily silent. * * * * * Within the _Stellar Virgin_, Mark Lynn paced the confines of what had been Verdugo's chamber. The Tele-Magnum, repaired and rebuilt could be seen in the small alcove. Mark's face was gray and haggard as he faced Lucero and Palanth, seated on a couch against the wall. "No word from the Panadur Leader, and we cannot wait much longer! If my calculations are right, the Terran Fleet should be nearing Europa's orbit. We cannot afford to be caught on the ground." "Do you suppose the Council would listen?" It was Palanth hoping against hope. "Try them, Mark; we can spar for time." Then in sheer desperation: "I told you, Terran, those bipeds would never come through with that infernal radiant energy!" His features also showed the strain he'd gone through, even the ubiquitous handkerchief was missing.