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the future. We were planning that far ahead, for the moment when there would be the greatest chance of victory.

"So I was sent back to build these weapons. They had to be built secretly, of course, stored secretly and safely. The site was selected. These caverns were known to exist, from ancient records. It would be necessary to rework them slightly, fill them with our weapons, and seal them against possible discovery.

"My ego ... consciousness ... that came to this age was equipped with all required knowledge. I was educated solely to do this job. Therefore, it has been done."

It was almost impossible not to believe, Tredel found. It explained as nothing else would. Still—

"You came back? Alone, and—"

Del nodded. "The direction has been mine, though the work has been done by others, of course. To rebuild the caverns as they now are I had knowledge of machinery to do the work. It was only required to have it built to my specifications, and, operated under my instructions—"

"And the operators of the machines?"

"They were hired, did their work, received their pay, and then forgot. None was harmed, but none remembers."

"But why this time? Surely fifty years from now, or a hundred you could have things built with less NOT TO BE OPENED—