“We know that E is sensitive to mental suggestion, beamed its way, especially when such suggestion is stepped up by electronic or atomic machines. We know that its sensitivity increases in direct ratio with its physical exposure to such impulses and stimuli. And we know that while E, in effect, seems to be some sort of super-brain in mineral form, it is highly sensitive to physical disturbance, such as attempts to dig into its substance.” She paused again, received encouraging thoughts from the others, and continued. “We know further that when E is irritated beyond endurance, it can and does strike back. To our knowledge, since the inauguration of Problem Outpost, it has killed one telepath, rendered another unconscious, and frustrated all efforts to mine its substance on both Callisto and Mars. It is probable that this killing is neither aggressive nor malicious--that it is rather like an elephant, stepping on an annoying insect.” She hesitated, said, “Well, from here on in, I think we’ll do better off the record. We’re flying by the seat of our clouts.” “_Crehut_, Lynne,” said her twin brother. “Now that we’ve uncovered this interplanetary monster, what are we going to do about it? I know, I’m receiving you--so you’re going to put it to work. But how do you propose to go about harnessing something we know almost nothing about?” Rolf said, “Don’t be a _czanworm_, Revere. What do we actually know about electricity? Nothing. Yet men have harnessed and used electricity for centuries. If they hadn’t, we’d still be Earthbound. In E, we have the greatest potential power-source in history. Are we going to sit around and call it out of bounds, merely because a few of us have been killed, or may be killed, in the process?” “Yes,” said Rana in her small voice. “But what are we going to do with it? All my impressions were of mighty ideas and themes.” “E is an entity of ideas,” said Rolf. “In a way it is like a transmission cable--carrying thousands, perhaps millions, perhaps even more messages both ways from itself to its fellows on other planets and moons. It has the power to put its concepts to the test of reality should such a trifling idea appeal to it--which it probably won’t. It is on far too high a plane to care about concrete application.” “And just how are we going to get it to care?” Revere Fenlay lit a skinless gasper and blew a nervous-looking smoke ring. Lynne said, “Revere, we know one thing--it is suggestible as well as suggesting. Given the elements of an atmosphere to exist in, it lives. We know it is suggestible because, when we irritate it sufficiently, it strikes back. We can make it feel our thoughts and our muscles and our machines, however trivially, however remotely.” “Rather destructively, I fear,” said her twin looking doubtful.