Thor grunted dubiously, but the Discoverer went on, "I was engaged in astral projection to the Magellanic Cluster when this space lapped at my body that rested in the ruins of ancient Flormaseron. It is a form of magnetic current that did the trick. Not ordinary magnetism, but a current of it." Thor thought of the Ehrenhaft experiments and nodded. He said, "And what of this world where we are? We saw some men--" "Not men. Androids. They are semi-human, invested by Aava with a synthetic life-force." "Aava?" "Aava is the Green Flame. He rules this land. He is like nothing I have ever seen. He can create, to an extent. He can destroy. He has made androids to serve him, but he is limited in materials on this planet. It is mostly rock and sand. If he had enough material, he could make millions of the androids. As it is, he can, and has made only thousands." Thor said abruptly, "Can we get back to Earth and to Klogor?" "Defeat Aava, learn the secret of this universe and destroy it, and you may return." "Aava. You called him the Green Flame. Where can I find him?" Thor caught a flicker of humor in the thoughts that flooded his brain. "Would you see Aava? I will show him to you. Lie down, on your back. So. I warn you, control your thoughts. If Aava suspects he is watched, you are doomed." Karola pressed his arm against her warm side. Her violet eyes glared in fear out of the white, lovely face. Her scarlet mouth begged, "Do not do it, Thor. I beg you. I am afraid." "There is nothing to fear. The Discoverer sounds as if he knows what he's doing. And you _do_ want to go back to Klogor, don't you?" The girl flushed so that a delicate pale rose flooded her neck and cheeks. Her violet eyes were brilliant as her torrent of gold hair seemed to gather new brightness from the sun. "I am not sure. It is a nice life, this roaming in open air, across great prairies." Thor held her hand. "You wait. I'll be back." He lay down. His last recollection was the feel of Karola's long nails pressing the flesh of his hand.... * * * * * Thor hung bodiless in blackness. He was aware with all the five senses of him, that life teemed about and all around the blackness, that something walked and spoke and moved. Thor struggled until a dull pain pounded and throbbed all through his being. "Patient. Be patient," counseled a gentle voice. "Are you the Discoverer?" "I am he. It would be too dangerous to let you take your first mentastral flight alone. Besides, your brain has not the electrical potential sufficient to let you make progress. Hush, now. Listen!" There were voices, deep and thunderous in a rolling wave of sound. Dim and faint at first, the paean swelled and pulsed. And as the sound grew, so came the light--at first in tiny riplets of greyness that shimmered and fled--then a refulgent glory in broad bands.