‘If you have such sight — such power — how is it that you are here, defeated?’ he said.
There was a long silence, then the figure said, ‘Now that it is about me again, I see that time is not with us — or with you.’ There was a hint of anxiety in the voice. ‘There is another — a powerful opponent — one who lies beyond my touching. He is aware of us. He must be...’
‘Answer my question.’
There was another long silence. Vashnar sensed the voices returning and the figure swayed slightly. ‘I cannot. How I came to be thus...’ It made an airy gesture and the voices rose and fell with it. ‘... I do not know. But our enemies are so, too. That I know. They too, were defeated. All that was, then, was changed... transmuted.’ Its voice became strident. ‘We had armies beyond your imagining. And engine
