"Have we got what it takes to barge in there and settle down? Can we hold them off until we can make it clear that we don't want their stinking planet?"
"Have we?"
"If we do right now, there'll be a lot of us that stay there for good."
"How many of us are expendable?"
"All of us as long as that dingbat is destroyed."
Lane grimaced. "And how important is it?"
Downing gave an "I don't know" wave of his hands. "We might go looking for trouble, Lane."
"Meaning catch us a single shipload of catmen and let 'em go, well filled with cream and a fine explanation?"
"Might even get a rat or two for them."
"Meaning?"