This was no
way to end the war. Neither planet could trust the other, even for
minutes. If they did not destroy each other simultaneously, as now was
possible, each would expect the other to launch an unwarned attack at
some other moment. Ultimately one or the other must perish, and the
survivor would be the one most skilled in treachery.

But then the pariah planet made a new proposal. It would send a
messenger-ship to stop its own fleet's bombardment if Weald would accept
payment for the grain-ships and their cargoes. It would pay in ingots of
iridium and uranium and tungsten--and gold if Weald wished it--for all
damages Weald might claim. It would even pay indemnity for the miners of
Orede, who had died by accident but perhaps in some sense through its
fault. It would pay.... But if it were bombed, Weald must spout atomic
fire and the fleet of Weald would have no home planet to return to.

* * * * *

This proposal seemed both craven and foolish. It would allow the fleet
of Weald to loot and then betray Dara. But it was Calhoun's idea. It
seemed plausible to the admirals of Weald. They felt only contempt for
blueskins. Contemptuously, they accepted the semi-surrender.

The broadcast waves of Dara told of agreement, and wild and fierce
resentment filled the pariah planet's people. There was
almost--almost!--revolution to insist upon resistance, however hopeless
and however fatal. But not all of Dara realized that a vital change had
come about in the state of things on Dara. The enemy fleet had not a
hint of it. And therefore--

In menacing array, the invading fleet spread itself about the skies of
Dara, well beyond the atmosphere. Harsh voices talked with increasing
arrogance to the landing-grid staff. A monster ship of Weald came
heavily down, riding the landing-grid's force-fields. It touched gently.
Its occupants were apprehensive, but hungry for the loot they had been
assured was theirs. The ship's outer hull would be sterilized before it
returned to Weald, of course. And there was adequate protection for the
landing-party.

Men came out of the ship's ports. They wore the double, transparent
sag-suits Calhoun had suggested, which had been painstakingly tested,
and which were perfect protection against contagion. They could loot
with impunity, and all contamination would remain outside the suits.
What loot they gathered, obviously, could be decontaminated before it
was returned