XVII. Lindoo's return from the Solar Sector was that of a conqueror. There were speeches and parades, and public demonstrations; and the hours wore by interminably. Lindoo knew just how important his victory had been, and yet how obvious had been his chances of winning. Even the Head of Strategy of a proud and tyrannical race could feel within him the seeds of discontent. He suffered the publicity because such propaganda was necessary, and as soon as he could, he sought private audience with Vorgan. "Hail the conquering hero," greeted Vorgan, as Lindoo entered. The tone was slightly sarcastic. Lindoo was not hurt. "How many know?" he asked the Lord of All. "Very few--thanks to a pleased fate." "But we know," said Lindoo bitterly. "What a victory. A bulldozer crushing an ant hill; a pile driver smashing eggs; an elephant warding off mosquitoes." "And yet," Vorgan told him, "unlimited freedom would build the ant hill beyond the ability of the bulldozer, and the mosquitoes could smother the elephant if their numbers filled the atmosphere. It was necessary." Lindoo nodded. "We lost seventeen million of our first-line fighting men. They were bitter opponents." "Think of what might have happened if they'd expanded for another two thousand years." "That would be double their scientific history, I think," agreed Lindoo. "They've been expanding on a high order exponential curve. Another two thousand years would have put a barrier across the Galaxy with the Solar Sector at the center, and the Loard-vogh might never complete their plan. We acted rightly, Vorgan. But in spite of seventeen million men lost, and in spite of the danger to our plans, I feel that there is something strictly awry. They are an intelligent race. They must have known their inability to win--yet they fought like demons. We could well afford to lose seventeen million expendables. They could not, yet--?" "Did they?" "They must have. Our forces may have been overeager. An attacking force usually loses more than the defending force. Our fighter psychology is more battle-minded than theirs, for our soldiers are trained to think only in terms of battle. But even so, Vorgan, the tacticians and statisticians estimate that we could have lost no more than two to one. And granting that, it means a loss of eight and one half million men lost from the Solar Sector." * * * * * Vorgan thought that over. "They could ill afford to lose that many of their prime citizens." "And knowing that, and knowing that they are of a high order of intelligence, I ask again: Why did they fight?" "Could it have been sheer desperation?" "There was calculated strategy in their battle plan. There was a purpose, I tell you. It is obscure to me, but there was a definite plan, and no plan is executed without a purpose." "Could they have hoped to hold us off?"