Science fiction master Philip K Dick's unique take on humankind's encounter with aliens. WHAT HAS ANSWERED MANKIND'S CALL FOR HELP? Thors Provoni had gone to the stars to seek help for his fellow men. So far there was no evidence that any other intelligent race existed out there at all, let alone one willing to aid ordinary homo sapiens on an Earth where he had become a second-class citizen. For in the 22nd Century dominance in human affairs had passed to a cabal of genetic freaks -- telepaths, precogs, 'New Men' with IQs which went off the scale -- and ordinary men didn't have much of a chance. Suddenly a message came from Provoni. He was coming back, miraculously, with friends from Frolix 8 to champion the 'Old Men'. But who, or what, and just how friendly, were these friends?