You didn't. You led me to the population I wanted. I'm getting closer.
Fred trembled, tried to collect himself to fight.
You can't fight. You've lost already. Observe: even weak contact with the mind of that other animal made it function normally. Soon I'll be close enough to exert full control over the others again.
"What are you going to do?" Fred asked.
Before I'm through, I shall convince all of the intelligences on your dead planet to join me. They'll know it's a much better, richer world.
"But it isn't!" he almost shrieked. "You can't support that many people."
True. Many will die. And I'll be able to replenish the energy I've used following you.
"The race will revert to savagery, possibly even lower, to the caves."
That is not important, except that the life span will drop. This will create more life force for me. You argue in my favor.