"With whom do you stand, men of Earth? With us or our oppressors?"
Kass and Lents looked at one another blankly. They started as Sine spoke up sonorously, beside them:
"Officially, we are supposed to be neutral. But if you attack The Bubble and rescue the poor devils in the dark hemisphere I'll help!"
But The Manager shook his enormous head slightly.
"That we can not do. That satellite is too far out in space. There is no concealment, and we can not yet fight their patrol ships in space."
"Listen!" Sine persisted. "There is a man there I know. He's about ready to die, unless he gets away. And he has a girl, a kid of fourteen or fifteen. The rays haven't made a freak out of her yet. I want to save her. Give me a ship and I'll take her out myself!"
"That we can not do. Individuals do not count. One, or a hundred, may die. We can not endanger our plan."
The counselors had drawn a little away from the Earthmen, unconsciously symbolizing their support to The Manager. Again he raised his bony arm.
"Up above there our ships are destroying every city of the First Race on the planet. Our power-beams for the glowing ships are encircling Jupiter in a network of red and death—death to the oppressors! The Pleasure Bubble's turn will come. And when it is dashed down, master and slave must die together. To save the slaves might let some of the masters escape."
"Gentlemen!" Kass was trying to smooth over the situation, "We have been sent here on a voyage of discovery, not of war. We regret your troubles here—but we can take no part in them. Our attitude is friendly to...."