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to burst forth as a sun, yet it is a sun gone out of light. If it gained much weight it would become radiant as the sun. If it lost much weight it would become dormant, like any of the smaller planets. Thus is the universe. Mass and weight determine the radiance of any star. As with the sun, it is not action that gives it radiant energy, but pressure upon its core that makes the action and the radiant energy.” ad cw a 14 1 ‘ Vows 4 For a moment, Adam felt as though he understood all the basic dynamics of the universe. The quiet following Launie’s words helped his assimilation of their deep meaning. “Now, Adam,” Antares said, breaking his long silence, “we bring you the return to the surface of the three ships in that hot ocean of metal.” From the seething turbulence the crafts emerged, not even dripping from their hulls. “There they are,” said Antares. “They have been near the floor of that ocean, where the heat measures thousands of degrees, and have taken up many kinds of metal in various stages of molecular states. That ocean in its depths produces materials which can duplicate anything we can make artificially. Nature is always ahead of its own creatures, Adam.” “Incidentally,” Antares continued, “that ship in the center was piloted by Leo, whom you have met here. Now we shall take the roar you hear from Jupiter’s red ocean and convert it to music by our crystal modulators. Listen.” The horrendous roar became beautiful music. Adam was listening to Jupiter’s sea and all its radio emissions, modulated into a harmonious symphony. Antares spoke again, this time in a “Now, Adam, we want to show you our prize astrophoto. This you have never seen. In fact, no man of earth has ever seen it.” His words brought a sudden gasp from Launie. Caught by surprise, she asked, “Oh, Antares, not the Corona?” “Indeed, Launie,” Antares assured her. “Is that not our prize photo from the cosmos?” “But I am not prepared spiritually or morally. I may feel I may feel 121 ADAM MEETS ANTARES Nature is always reverential tone.