"Why?" asked the alien defiantly.
"Yes—why? Why is all this going on?"
"The universe is not big enough to hold us both," snapped Kingallis.
"Then it is true. You and your people have been suppressing our research because you fear that we will be able to beat you. And we will, Kingallis. We will!"
"You won't live long enough," snarled the alien.
Carroll's mind worked rapidly. If nothing else, he had now discovered the truth of why. The alien culture wanted universal conquest. To gain it, they were suppressing all research on the Lawson Radiation, which was their main hope for victory. Instead of fighting to suppress it, they had found it much easier to weasel their way in and fake a report here and line there with a mere handful of men. No science could advance when true discoveries were reported as failures and false data were supplied to send the investigators along blind trails.
But now there was real danger. Since Terra was cognizant of the peril Terra would be destroyed. Destroyed or conquered early—the aliens not waiting for the normal development of their plans of expansion.
Carroll looked around for something to tie Kingallis with. And he saw—
Rhinegallis, supine upon the floor, a wide thick strap constricting her ribs. Her eyes were closed. The pulse in her shapely throat was fluttering weakly.
"You swine!" said Carroll.