Downing smiled. "I spent one month among your planets, mingling with your people. They did not suspect."
"All alien tongues?" insisted Lindoo.
"Any, and all, can be learned by us in a matter of hours."
"Your race will be useful. Do you now accept defeat?"
"It was forced upon us?"
"Accept it!" exploded Lindoo, "or die!"
"A dead slave is useless," reminded Kennebec.
"And a dead malcontent is no trouble," snapped Lindoo. "Do you accept defeat?"
"As I said, defeat was forced upon us. Yes, we must accept defeat."
"Then broadcast the order to cease firing. Order Terra to drop its arms and submit."