E. A. Grosser

“ What good will that do? He's here now, so that proves you didn't kill him. But you caused all this mess; help us free ourselves."
"I can kill him; and I will. I'll create a new branch of the tree—a world where Dodson died right after protecting the Americas."
"But what about this branch!" Barlow shouted as Valnar's hand went to the plaque on his chest. "According to your screwy theory this limb will still be going strong."
Valnar hesitated. "You're right," he admitted, lowering his hand. "We might as well create two new limbs, one right here."
Barlow waited, watching Valnar. ”

“ And the circumstances surrounding the discovery of the Mental Ray had never been explained. Dodson was no scientist, and yet he and no other knew the more complicated parts of the powerful electrical broadcaster that matched the thought waves of the people and heterodyned those he considered undesirable.
"I'll have to acquaint myself with the circumstances," said Valnar.
"Okay, what do you want to know?" Barlow offered.
Valnar looked at him slyly. "It would be much more pleasant to learn from that girl you were with. I always try to make my work pleasant."
Barlow made a wry face. ”

“ Dodson was one of the first to realize the power of transportation, and held firm control of all its phases. Public conveyances wouldn't serve their purpose because, while Barlow's passports were necessarily in order even though forged, Valnar had none. And no forger was available.
They must steal either an auto or a plane—preferably, a plane. But there was no such thing as a private auto or plane, and the civic conveyances were carefully controlled. ”

“ He held her in his arms while he told the leader all that had happened to him. When he was through he expected them to feel as he did, that the disaster had struck them at the very moment when success seemed within their grasp. ”

“ He saw Laurine leap at the men at the projector. They went to the ground, fighting and kicking in utter disregard of all rules.
The bullets of the guards were dropping men and women all around him. Many struggled up to fight their way onward, but many stayed down.
Barlow reached the projector, grasped the tripod to lift himself up. He saw dimly that Dodson and his officers were clamoring at the gate to be freed from the bloody courtyard, but the portals had been closed to retain the prisoners and now did as well for the Director. ”

“ Dictators are the most naive persons. About all they know are the facts of life. Therefore Great America's Dodson thoroughly approved of a man such as Joel Barlow and a girl such as Laurine Coret walking in the park at twilight. ”

“ She was crying again, softly, face hidden against his chest.
He stroked her hair slowly. "Don't cry, Laurine," he said dully as he looked around. There were many whom he didn't recognize, but among the half hundred in the cell he recognized all those of Laurine's group that he had met. He looked at the leader questioningly.
"A clean sweep," said the leader. "And not only of our group, but of every one in the country. The prisons are full, overcrowded. We know that nearly every man of our group was captured, and the others report the same for their groups. The Organization is through." ”

“ Two guards came out of the building with a young girl between them. They helped her into the nearest car, even though she fought against it.
"They've got Laurine," Barlow cried, starting forward.
Valnar caught his arm and held him back. "Is that her name?" he asked easily.
Barlow fought to free his arm from Valnar's grasp, but the newcomer was much too strong.
"Come, don't be childish," Valnar reprimanded. "There are too many of them. Don't worry about your friends. We'll free them as soon as possible."
Barlow was undetermined.
"In the meantime, we'll go to see Dodson," Valnar continued. ”

“ Barlow sneered. "Now he's got the Mental Ray you said you gave him, and he controls two continents with absolute power—and is thinking of expanding. The only ones in all the Americas who can even think he's wrong are a few like me—ones who for some reason, aren't affected by the ray which orders your thoughts to an approved pattern."
"The dirty heel!" Valnar spat. "I'm going back and kill him. ”

“ Barlow turned again to Valnar, called to him, "I see you're still with us."
"To the end—maybe it won't be so bitter," Valnar grinned. "Get in there and fight when the time comes."
Barlow had no chance to ask for an explanation. One of the officers with Dodson stepped forward. He carried the projector Valnar had constructed, but it was changed and was mounted on a tripod. The officer trained it on the prisoners and pressed the switch. ”

“ And the thought that possibly the projector wouldn't work, made him feel hollow. The guards at the entrance stepped forward to bar the way.
Valnar's fingers switched on the projector and he swept it over the two guards. They dropped their rifles and slumped to the stone entranceway. Barlow picked up their rifles, then stared at them. They were sleeping peacefully.
Valnar strode into the building, applied the ray to another man, and entered the warden's office. The warden leaped to his feet angrily.
"We want the prisoners brought in yesterday," Valnar informed. ”