of the fleet's attack. It wasn't without danger, but it could be done. 

 And for a job like that, MacMaine's special abilities weren't needed. He could only watch and wait until it was over. 

 So he watched and waited. Unlike the short-time fury of a space battle, the reduction of a planet took days of steady pounding. When it was over, the blaster-boats of the Kerothi fleet and the shuttles from the great battle cruisers landed on Houston's World and took possession of the planet. 

 MacMaine was waiting in his cabin when General Hokotan brought the news that the planet was secured. 

 "They are ours," the HQ spy said with a superior smile. "The sniveling animals didn't even seem to want to defend themselves. They don't even know how to fight a hand-to-hand battle. How could such things have ever evolved intelligence enough to conquer space?" Hokotan enjoyed making such remarks to MacMaine's face, knowing that since MacMaine was technically a Kerothi he couldn't show any emotion when the enemy was insulted. 

 MacMaine showed none. "Got them all, eh?" he said. 

 "All but a few who scattered into the hills and forests. But not many of them had the guts to leave the security of their cities, even though we were occupying them." 

 "How many are left alive?" 

 "An estimated hundred and fifty million, more or less." 

 "Good. That should be enough to set an example. I picked Houston's World because we can withdraw from it without weakening our position; its position in space is such that it would constitute no menace to us even if we never reduced it. That way, we can be sure that our little message is received on Earth." 

 Hokotan's grin was wolfish. "And the whole weak-hearted race will shake with fear, eh?" 

 "Exactly. Tallis can speak English well enough to be understood. Have him make the announcement to them. He can word it however he likes, but the essence is to be this: Houston's World resisted the occupation by Kerothi troops; an example must be made of them to show them what happens to Earthmen who resist." 

 "That's all?" 

 "That's enough. Oh, by the way, make sure that there are plenty of their cargo spaceships in good working order; I doubt that we've 

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