On the Dulcian mainland the Capitol basked in the warm clear light from Dulkis's modest yellow sun, its thousands of silver terraces gleaming and its endless windows reflecting the golden sky.  Long cool galleries filled with lush green vegetation stretched in all directions and every few metres small fountains cast fine shimmering sprays of purified water in myriad colours.  The atmosphere was relaxed and hushed.  Everywhere, the tall inhabitants moved about calmly in their loose light togas, conversing in quiet unhurried voices.

In the Council Chamber, high in the domed summit of the vast city, half a dozen elderly Dulcians were lounging in padded reclining chairs, each fitted with its own small vision screen and its individual refreshment rack laden with exotic fruits and colourful iced drinks.  The Councillors had high foreheads and swept-back hair and the skin of their long sensitive faces was lined but blooming.  Around them, subtle combinations of pastel colours endlessly mingled on the curved opalescent walls and softly soothing sounds floated continuously through the scented air.

Deputy Director Bovem arranged his flowing white robe and settled back into the cushions.  'Very well.  It is agreed, subject naturally to the approval of Director Senex, that the area in question be developed for exclusively leisure and holiday activity,' he announced in a musical voice.

'But have the Councillors given all due consideration to the submissions of the Industrial Committee?' asked a florid member, sipping from a tall slim glass.

Bovem raised an elegant hand.  'Really Councillors, I do not wish to hurry you, but we have been debating this matter for several lunars and I feel sure...'

He was interrupted by a series of bell-like tones and quiet voice filled the Chamber: 'Citizen Kully has arrived accompanied by a stranger.  They wait in the Antechamber.'

Bovem touched a button in the arm of his couch.  'Let them remain there until Director Senex has been informed,' he instructed.

Without warning, a section of the wall dissolved and Kully came bursting in followed by Zoe, both of them out of breath.  The wall automatically re-formed itself behind them.

Kully stomped straight over to Bovem, scattering sand and wiping his shining face with the hem of his skirt.  'If you think we're going to kick our heels while you gossip away for hours on end you're mistaken,' he shouted.

Bovem rose to his feet with strained dignity.  'Inform the Director that his son is here,' he ordered.  Then he gathered his robe in a classically authoritative pose.  'This is an outrageous abuse of the Council's dignity.' he protested.

'Who cares about that?' Kully retorted.  'I've got vitally important news.'

The Deputy Director permitted himself a faintly ironic smile.  'What fairy tale have you concocted this time?' he demanded.  'And who is this young lady?'

Kully ushered Zoe forward.  She looked pale and shaken after the hair-raising flight in the capsule.

'This is Zoe.  Her friends will be arriving soon.  I met them all on the Island.'

Balan frowned.  'Doubtless none of you possessed the necessary permits.'

'Don't be stupid!' Kully shouted exasperatedly.  'How could they have permits?  They come from another planet.'

There was a startled pause.  Then a murmur of disbelief rippled round the Chamber.

A gaunt, hook-nosed Councillor waved a languid arm.  'Nonsense.  The existence of extra-Dulcian life has been conclusively disproved by the Scientific Committee.'

A younger Councillor shook his head.  'Not conclusively.  It is possible that life in some form does exist elswhere,' he argued.