"But they burrow, and the starfish doesn't. They'll be safe enough."
Kron sighed. "I knew that association with you people would prove to be a mixed blessing." He shrugged his shoulders and turned his chair to his desk. A Niobian face appeared on the screen. "Call a Council meeting and let me know when it is ready," Kron ordered.
"Yes, Councilor," the face replied.
"Well, that's that. Now we can relax until the Council manages to get together."
"How long will that take?"
"I haven't the least idea," Kron said. "Several days—several weeks. It all depends upon how soon we can get enough Council members together to conduct business."
I said unhappily, "I'd like to have your outlook but we're fighting against time!"
"You Earthmen pick the most impossible opponents. You should learn to work with time rather than against it." He pulled at one ear reflectively. "You know, it is strange that your race could produce ethical philosophers like this one." He tapped the Analects with a webbed forefinger. "Such contrast of thought on a single world is almost incredible!"
"You haven't seen the half of it!" I chuckled. "But I'm inclined to agree with you. Earth is an incredible world."