Trehearne still could not quite grasp that that simple statement marked
a change forever in the Galaxy, that with it all human races began the
great change toward Galactic Man.
"And these criminals who forced us to do the thing?" demanded a Vardda
recalcitrant, glaring at Trehearne and his fellows.
"We have no choice there," Ristin said dryly. "To punish them for what
they did would belie our own announcement. The ordinary charges against
them can be dismissed."
"So that for their crime they go unpunished?"