“Is that the only reason you can think of that I might have for wanting to prevent a massacre?” Rynason said icily.
“If they tried to revolt once, they’ll try it again,” Manning said. “We’ll crush them now.”
“You think that will impress the Council? Slaughtering the only intelligent race we’ve found?”
“I’m not playing to the Council!” Manning snapped. “I’ve got these men following me, and I’ll listen to what they want!”
Rynason stared at the microphone for a moment. “Are you sure you aren’t afraid of your own mob?” he said.
“We’re coming in, Lee. Get out of there or we’ll cut you down too.”
“Manning!”
“I’m switching off.”
“Not quite yet. There’s one more thing, and you’d better hear this one!”
“Make it fast,” Manning said. His voice sounded uninterested.