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anti-para-Universe, in which the strong nuclear reaction is so weak that the entire Universe could consist of a single star. It would be a situation similar to that in Earth's Universe before the explosion of the cosmic egg, or "cosmeg." As humanity taps the cosmeg-Universe for energy, the seepage of natural law will counteract the effect of the Electron Pump and with proper coordination leave a net zero result. The cosmeg-Universe, on the other hand, might eventually explode as the strong nuclear force leaked into it. This explosion, however, would result not in damage but in conditions under which life eventually would be possible. This sequence of actions might, in fact, explain the explosion of the cosmeg in Earth's Universe, as some other Universe tapped it for energy.
Gottstein offers to take this information back to Earth in the form of a paper. Denison wants Lamont and Neville to be listed as co-authors. Lamont accepts (and receives appropriate honors and position, while Hallam is demoted), but Neville refuses. In a final wrap-up, Gottstein brings back from Earth plans for constructing cosmeg pumps on the Moon because they must be operated in a vacuum. Some of the cosmeg pumping will be used for energy, but most, for a while at least, will serve to counteract the changes in field intensities introduced by the Electron Pump. Neville, however, wants to use the cosmeg pumps to convert the Moon into a stellar ship. By transferring momentum to the cosmeg-Universe, the Moon could accelerate at any convenient rate without loss of mass.
Allowing the Moon to leave Earth orbit could create problems in balancing the Electron Pumping. Denison points out, however, that the problems could be solved by constructing space stations with cosmeg pumps attached. But, he says, the Moon won't leave its orbit because there is no sense in it doing so. It would be more efficient to build starships that would be easier to accelerate and require less energy. Neville wants to take the Moon because of his neurosis. It is Neville's prison, Denison says, but it need not be the prison of every other Lunarite.
Neville is adamant even when Selene, who has been waiting in another room and has heard everything, comes in and disagrees with him. Neville is outvoted decisively by the citizens of Luna City, and the novel ends with Selene asking Denison if he would be willing to contribute sperm toward her artificial insemination. A second son for her has just been approved. They end in each other's arms.
Part of the letdown in Part III is due to the speculative intensity of Part II, which is difficult to match. By comparison Part III seems

 
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