"The gun that fired the projectiles survived," Nasha said. "Why not people?"
"It's not the same. Metal doesn't need air to breathe. Metal doesn't get leukemia from radioactive particles. Metal doesn't need food and water."
There was silence.
"A paradox," Nasha said. "Anyhow, in the morning I think we should send out a search party. And meanwhile we should keep on trying to get the ship in condition for the trip back."
"It'll be days before we can take off," Fomar said. "We should keep every man working here. We can't afford to send out a party."
Nasha smiled a little. "We'll send you in the first party. Maybe you can discover—what was it you were so interested in?"
"Legumes. Edible legumes."
"Maybe you can find some of them. Only—"
"Only what?"
"Only watch out. They fired on us once without even knowing who we were or what we came for. Do you suppose that they fought with each other? Perhaps they couldn't imagine anyone being friendly, under any circumstances. What a strange evolutionary trait, inter-species warfare. Fighting within the race!"