The Master Conclave of the Sectional Governors of the World State was in its first day of session. The Speaker, about to call for a motion of adjournment, rose, looked about the packed tiers of seats as if searching for someone. Relief came to his face—and was replaced by annoyance as the huge, double doors swung open. A being, resplendent in colorful uniform, of human shape but twelve feet tall, entered. In the resigned silence that followed, the doorman announced, "Olduk, the Martian ambassado