"Is it?" softly inquired the roboe leader. "Then perhaps you can explain why, since Dr. Stone implanted no previous knowledge of military strategy in our minds, that we have a campaign mapped out that will be disastrous both to humans and roboes."

"Aha," exclaimed the general triumphantly. "Now I have you. Assuming your story were to be true concerning your acquisition of true life by cosmic radiation, then I have the facts that will disprove the rest of your story." The thin smile on his face stopped short of gray-blue eyes.

"What facts are those?" asked the Under-Secretary with interest.

"Since the rocket projects into space came under military control, I happen to know that a maximum of fifteen roboe-controlled flights were made. Assuming that each of the roboes"—he sneered slightly—"became suddenly endowed with life, how can he"—jerking a thumb at the unmoving Primo—"claim such a large following?"

Even Don looked to the roboe with increased interest, as did the other three men. The object of their sudden attention smiled and corrected, "There were but 12 of us to come to life on the flights you spoke of, General."

"Just what I thought," declared the Supreme Military Commander with satisfaction.

"Ah, but that's not all of the story," chided Primo. "Once becoming possessed with reasoning power, it was only logical to submit other roboes to laboratory cosmic radiation. There are probably no more than a mere handful right now who are nothing more than mere mechanicals."

"You'll be wiped out to the last one," threatened the general.

"Perhaps," admitted Primo, "but we'll die fighting for the freedom that America fought for centuries ago."

"Then you absolutely refuse to continue under the same status as before?" asked the Under-Secretary gravely.

"Even if you would allow it without prejudice, we could never submit to slavery again," protested Primo.

"I was afraid of that," said the Under-Secretary with a trace of sadness in his voice. He turned to his military companion, "I was fully empowered to authorize you to launch a full military operation, General Adams. As soon as Primo has departed, you may consider a full state of war exists between the Human race and the roboes."

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