important sense organ to us."

"Sounds logical," Manning said. By this time he was so accustomed to the many differences through the Galaxy that he seldom thought twice about any of them.

"I believe it is one of the things which disturbs your Terran Ambassador. In fact, he was heard saying that he disliked suddenly finding a tail in his hand."

"Nothing could be worse than that limp hand he offers," Manning said with a grin. "You know why I'm here?"

"To observe our election. Or so I was informed by the chairman of the party. I'm afraid there will be little to observe."

"If you're Xelia Zon," Manning said, "then you must be the candidate for Senator."

"I was," Xelia Zon said ruefully. "As of the moment, however, the party has no candidate for the Senate. That's why I say there will be little for you to observe. I was almost hoping that the party might decide to send some sort of Federation policeman, but I suppose that was out of the question."

"The Acruxian?" Manning asked.

"The Acruxian," Xelia said, nodding. "I'll tell you all about it, but why not wait until we reach your room. I took the liberty of making a reservation for you at our best hotel. Shall we go?"

"Where?" Manning asked. He looked around again at the sparsely-shrubbed, flat ground. "I meant to ask you about your cities. I thought I saw both sides of the planet as I came in, but I didn't see anything that looked like a city, or even a village."

The Regulusian smiled, showing even, pointed teeth. "You are standing directly over our capital city right now."

Manning lifted one foot and looked down. "Dehydrated?" he asked.

Xelia Zon laughed. "Hardly. Come. I'll show you."

He led the way around the Alpha Actuary and toward a small kiosk which Manning had not previously noticed. They entered the kiosk, walked down a few steps and then into an elevator. The door closed as soon as they were in it and they lunged smoothly downward.

"Underground, eh?" Manning said. "All of your cities?"

Xelia Zon nodded. "Not only our cities, but also our farms, and every other part of our civilization."

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