that it had served as an idiom of his for many years.

"A termination of the Zardovian conflict, then?"

"Essentially, but not wholly, as there are other, more complicated ends
in view, less integrated with the format of a completely ideological
conflict."

"Meaning?"

"Meaning that we wish to return to our original forms," Wagner said.

"Those being, I assume, the same as my own."

"Yes, you see after the Great War, the atmosphere was so filled with
radioactive materials that all life was destroyed, except for that on
Daem, which was protected because of our distant and isolated location,
and the presence of a group of insects that neutralize radiation. They
were overwhelmed in the first few decades, for though they were able to
reduce the amount to make it habitable, we degenerated into what we are
now, Zards and Canitaurs, based on our habitats, we being mountainous,
forest dwelling folk, and they plains people. At first our ancestors
grew to immense proportions, as did the vegetation on Daem, but we
slowly returned to normal size as the radioactive material was consumed.
I am surprised that Onan did not tell you about it all," he said,
looking at me with a slight tinge of confusion creeping into his wayward
eyes, formerly filled only with hope and excitement.

"I wish he would have," I responded, "But he said that it was against
the rules."