“I am sure. Since we are a logical race we all think alike—logically. On the other hand, your race does not seem to me at the moment to be at all a logical one. Can you speak for it?”
“In this matter I can; and you, in my mind, will know that I can,” and in this case Cloud could indeed speak for the Patrol. Philip Strong, after one glance in Cloud’s mind, would issue the necessary orders himself and would explain later—to anyone capable of accepting the true explanation.
“Very well. We will destroy the empty incubators at once, and will go ahead with the rest of the project whenever you are ready.”
The Cahuitan broke contact and vanished.
In the ship, Cloud got up. So did Joan. Without exchanging a word or a thought they went hungrily into each other’s arms.
After a time, and still keeping one arm around his Joan, Cloud reached out and punched a button on his intercom.
“Captain Ross?”
“Ross speaking.”
“Cloud. Mission accomplished. Return to Tellus, please, at full touring blast.”
“Very well, sir.”