by Tom Godwin
create the Varn Empire ... and how could he know which itwould be?
How could anyone know--except the telepathic Varn?
The muzzle of the blaster had dropped and he brought it back up. Heforced the dangerous indecision aside, knowing he would have to kill theVarn at once or he might weaken again, and said harshly to it:
"The risk is too great. I want to believe you--but all your talk oftrust and good intentions is only talk and my race would be the only onethat had to trust."
He touched the firing stud as the last thought of the Varn came:
"_Let me speak once more._"
He waited, the firing stud cold and metallic under his finger.
"_You are wrong. We have already set the example of faith in you byasking to go with you. I told you we did not intend to hurt your brotherand I told you we saw the stars only as the little wild animals sawthem. The years in the dark caves--you do not understand--_"
The eyes of the Varn looked into his and beyond him; beautiful,expressionless, like polished gold.
"_The Varn are blind._"
THE END
Transcriber's Note:
This etext was produced from _Amazing Science Fiction Stories_ September 1958. Extensive research did not uncover any evidence that the U.S. copyright on this publication was renewed. Minor spelling and typographical errors have been corrected without note.