Peals of telepathic laughter, clarion clear, mocking.
"Then what?" Taylor asked.
"We cannot lie," the voice said. "We were able to develop beyond the point of creation, but we are unable to lie. We came here because we were afraid."
"Afraid?" repeated Taylor. He did not understand.
"Certainly, afraid. Our mission was destruction. But what happens to the vessel carrying a hydrogen-missile?"
"Why," said Taylor, "it's completely destroyed in the explosion."
"Yes," said the voice, sounding—just possibly—afraid. "We didn't want that. But we can't lie. If any man comes here, we'll have to tell him the truth."
"You're going to stay? To do nothing? Not going to attack?"
"Your job, Taylor, will be to see that no one else comes. We cannot lie, but you can. Tell them it is our ultimatum. Tell them anything you think they will believe. Tell them the moment another human foot steps into this crater, the moment a single nation or scientist on Earth begins work on another guided missile, we will blast off and destroy life on Earth."
"But—would you?" demanded Taylor.