"With what?"
"Atom bombs," Malley answered him. "Hydrogen bombs. We're—"
"Drop one on me," the Ambassador said. "It wouldn't kill me. What makes you think it will have any effect on my people?"
he four men were silent. Somehow, they hadn't thought of that.
"A people's ability to make war," the Ambassador stated, "is a measure of the status of their civilization. Stage one is the use of simple physical extensions. Stage two is control at the molecular level. You are on the threshold of stage three, although still far from mastery of atomic and subatomic forces." He smiled ingratiatingly. "My people are reaching the limits of stage five."
"What would that be?" Darrig asked.
"You'll find out," the Ambassador said. "But perhaps you've wondered if my powers are typical? I don't mind telling you that they're not. In order for me to do my job and nothing more, I have certain built-in restrictions, making me capable only of passive action."
"Why?" Darrig asked.