"Looks futile right there."
"Let's not quit before we're licked," snapped Thompson. "Before they collect Sol in their list, they're going to have to kill each and every Terran."
"Um-m-m—not a bright prospect."
"Makes us as tough as they are," mused Kennebec.
"Tough, but not as nasty," offered Billy. "They want conquest for the sake of conquest. They'll die to the last man fighting for the sake of fighting. We'll die to the last man fighting for peace."
"Right."
"So," offered Downing, "I'll take a scout of the Loard-vogh if you want."
"O.K.," said Thompson. "This is going to keep us all busy for a long time. We'd best relax tonight—tomorrow we can all leave."
"You'll take my crew?" asked Stellor Downing.
"Since spying can't be done with twenty-five ships at your back, I will," agreed Lane.