do, we do not plan, we share our knowledge and we exist
Men plan; men lead; men are different from each other; men
want to remake the world. And they hate the Eaters, as we
do. We will help.”
“And give up your rule?”
“And give it up, if the rule of men is better. That is reason.
Now we can go; Noc is coming back with light.”
Lavon looked up. Sure enough, there was a brief flash of
cold light far overhead, and then another. In a moment the
spherical Proto had dropped into view, its body flaring reg-
ularly with blue-green pulses. Beside it darted the second
Para.
“Noc brings news,” the second Para said. “Para is twenty-
four. The Syn are awake by thousands along the sky. Noc
spoke to a Syn colony, but they will not help us; they all ex-
pect to be dead before the Eaters awake.”
“Of course,” said the first Para. “That always happens. And
the Syn are plants; why should they help the Protos?”
“Ask Noc if he’ll guide us to Shar,” Lavon said impatiently.
The Noc gestured with its single short, thick tentacle. One
of the Paras said, “That is what he is here for.”
“Then let’s go. We’ve waited long enough.”
The mixed quartet soared away from the Bottom’ through
the liquid darkness.
“No,” Lavon snapped. “Not a second longer. The Syn are
awake, and Nothoica of the Eaters is due right after that.
You know that as well as I do, Shar. Wake upl”
“Yes, yes,” the old man said fretfully. He stretched and
yawned. “You’re always in such a hurry, Lavon. Where’s Phil?
He made his spore near mine.” He pointed to a still-unbroken