"Yes, but consider what might have resulted from that over-hasty
action. The Cassa system is much more readily accessible from the
twin worlds than it is from Earth, and if we made some mistake with
the drones, or if the Tareegs began to suspect for any other reason
that their expeditionary force had met with disaster, they would be
certain to establish themselves at once in a very strong manner here,
leaving Earth confronted with a dangerously talented and implacable
new enemy. No, we had to retain the appearance of helplessness until
we had acquired an exact understanding of the manner in which the
water-message must be prepared, and had discovered some substitute for
the freezing effect on the lethal agent. That took an extra year."
Troy said carefully, "And during that year, as you knew would happen,
another dozen or so men died very slow and painful deaths on the
Tareeg execution benches. Any one of those men might have been you or
I...."
"That is quite true," Clingman said. "But it was something that could
not be avoided. In that time, we _did_ learn the necessary ritual and
we _did_ find a numbing catalyst which will hold the protein agent
inert until it loses its effect by being sufficiently diluted again.
So now the drones have been dispatched. Long before this ship reaches
Earth again, the agent will have been introduced to the twin worlds,
and except for the specimens we carry on board, the Tareeg species will
be extinct. It may not be a pleasant thing to have a pair of ghost
worlds forever a little on our conscience--but one does not have to
fight uncertain wars with ghosts."
Troy studied him in silence for some seconds.
"And I thought you were soft," he said at last. "I thought you were
weak and soft...."