"Right," Lee said. "But remember, it's only an automatic machine. Those who made it, the Others, they're still out there among the stars somewhere. They're going to be mighty upset when they find out that we're not dead." "It's ... terrifying ... in a way." "The important thing is that we _understand_. Now we can face them, wherever they are. They're no more intelligent than we are. We've proved that by learning what the machine is all about. They may be older, and they certainly know more tricks, but they're not on a completely higher plain of mental development." Elaine leaned back in her seat. "Well, it's over. At last it's ended. We can leave Titan for good now." "Leave? Not likely. Now we can finally start to tear the machinery apart and see how it works. We've just been sniffing around it so far, treating it like a museum exhibit. Now we can shut the damned thing off and start dissecting it. There's a lot to be done, a whole new technology to be learned. How does it work? Who are the Others and where did they come from? There are more questions to answer now than ever." "That means that you won't be leaving Titan?" she asked. "Not for a while. How about you?" She thought for a moment, then answered, "If you're right about all this, then there should be a lot of archeological evidence awaiting discovery on the Moon. Maybe I should organize a team...." "Then you're leaving anyway," he said. "For a while, Sid. I'll be back in time." "Stay off the ski slopes." She grinned and got up from her chair. Lee kissed her, and she turned away and went to the door. She looked back to say a final word, but he was already at his desk, punching buttons on the automatic secretary: "All right, you mechanical marvel, call the department heads to the conference room for a meeting in five minutes. And take a message for the Terran Council Science Committee--Gentlemen: It is my belief that the question of the alien machinery on Titan is now essentially solved...." THE END