“Why should there be?” Theon asked. “That’s one of the questions our philosophers have been debating for ages. A truly intelligent race is not likely to be unfriendly.”
“But the Invaders-?”
Theon pointed to the unending deserts below.
“Once we had an Empire. What have we now that they would covet?”
Alvin was a little surprised at this novel point of view.
“Do all your people think like this?”
“Only a minority. The average person doesn’t worry about it, but would probably say that if the Invaders really wanted to destroy Earth they’d have done it ages ago. Only a few people, like Mother, are still afraid of them.”
“Things are very different in Diaspar,” Alvin said. “My people are great cowards. But it’s unfortunate about your Mother-do you think she would stop you coming with me?”
“She most certainly would,” Theon replied with emphasis. That Alvin had taken his own assent for granted he scarcely noticed.
Alvin thought for a moment.