Morrison said, "Murder is a harsh word, Durham. After all, they weren't
human."
"There's no such difference under Federation law."
"We're not under Federation law here."
"No. And you're engaged in a life-or-death struggle to make sure you
don't come under it. This happened to be one of the death parts."
Morrison looked at him in mild surprise. "You figured that out,
Durham?" He was a lean gray, kindly looking man, the conventional
father type. Susan was staring at him in blank horror, as though she
could not believe what she was hearing. "I wasn't told you were that
bright. Well, you're right. Universal Minerals and its various dummy
corporations in this sub-sector are making such profits as you wouldn't
believe if I told you, and we have no intention of giving it up."
"Even if you have to slaughter a whole ship's crew. What did you do,
tow an asteroid into position?"