I felt, not a quiver this time, but an unmistakable shock pass through the Horde.

It throbbed--and passed.
Into the field of our vision, up to the flaming Disk rushed an immense cube.
Thrice the height of a tall man--as I think I have noted before--when it unfolded its radiance was that shape of mingled beauty and power I call the Metal Emperor.
Yet this Thing eclipsed it.

Black, uncompromising, in some indefinable way BRUTAL, its square bulk blotted out the Disk's effulgence; shrouded it.

And a shadow seemed to fall upon the crater.

The violet fires of the flanking stars pulsed out--watchfully, threateningly.
For only an instant the darkening block loomed against the Disk; blackened it.
There came another meteor burst of light.