"But why?" he cried, sinking down into the chair before me. In an
instant all the joy had gone out of him. I could not understand his
suffering, but I could recognize it.
"You yourself have said it," I told him. "I am a being of logic, just
as the beings who have invaded your planet are. I do not comprehend the
things which you call hate, fear, joy and love, as they do not. If I
went to Earth, I would use your people to further my knowledge, just as
the invaders do. I would have no reason to kill the invaders. They are
more nearly kin to me than your people."
* * * * *
Peter's eyes were dull, his limbs slumped. For a moment I thought that
the shock had deranged his mind.
His voice trembled when he said, "But if I ask you to kill them, and
not my people?"
"To do so would be illogical."
He waved his hands helplessly. "Gratitude?" he muttered.
"No, you don't understand that, either."