“What is the identity of the alien aura?” Nath inquired.

“This is uncertain without computer analysis,” Canopus said. “But it corresponds to the aural family typical of Sphere *, of Galaxy Andromeda.”

There was a brief silence as the implication sank in. The War of Energy had ended a thousand years before, but only because the Milky Way had achieved parity. If that parity had been upset, the Second War of Energy was upon them. It could mean the destruction of a galaxy. Without energy, a galaxy became nothing, for energy was the very heart of matter.

“Well, verify it!” Sol cried in the thrusting manner of his kind. “We’ve got ourselves a spy!”

“That might be uncircular,” Polaris said. “If Andromeda can make hostage our Minister of Research, it may have done similar work elsewhere—perhaps in the most critical locations.”

“Hostage…” Sol mused. “Involuntary hosting, without the prior demolition of the host-mind and aura. Apt term.”

“Pull-hook,” Nath agreed. “And we cannot know how many other hostages are present. We cannot trust any entity of low aura anywhere. We may already be at war.”

“But if the highest levels of our government itself have been infiltrated, how can we save our segment—even our galaxy?” the guard asked. In this crisis, the distinctions of species and position were lost; all of them were galactics. “We can kill this spy, but our own chain of command may be suspect.” Then he glanced quickly at the human officer. “Present company excepted, sir.”

“Not excepted,” the officer said. “You have made an excellent point, soldier.” There was a certain grimness about his mouth.

“We shall neither kill this entity nor ignore the implications,” Canopus said firmly.