"Perhaps your idea of progress is different from mine," Limio said. "To me, progress is synonymous with growth."
"To us, progress means growth of mind; development of resources; betterment of human institutions and relationships."
"Then your idea of progress is nothing at all," Limio said. "I have seen many forms of life, even some of your own forms, and I have never seen a mind whose growth was not limited by hereditary conditions which tend to progress in nature's own way; nature alone can develop resources—you simply take them away from nature; and if human relations are governed by this philosophy it is better that the human race does not progress, although it will in spite of itself. Now that we understand each other, please go away."
In reply the yellow flame of a neutron gun streaked from the Burnt Atom.
But Limio had met men before and he was prepared for the niceties of their means of destruction. His web-like brain cast off magnetic force to shield his body. The magnetism swerved the neutrons from their path, doubled them back on their course until the yellow flame touched the sides of the space ship itself.
There was a single explosive puff. The darkness of The Black Hole returned.
Commander General Adstrom, president of the terrestrial Congress, surveyed the two men who stood in front of him. One was an officer in uniform, while the other was a pale-faced, poorly dressed person.
The commander general addressed the officer.
"Is—is this a—a criminal?" he asked.