Their space ships landed near Washington, and they met Earthmen with friendly smiles. It was a great day—and quite possibly, our last! "I called you three in," the Oligarch said, "because I have some very important news." Herb—he would later be assigned that name—was one of the three. He hated the Oligarch, and he had no doubt that the Oligarch knew it. "There are," the Oligarch said, "people on the planet. Unfortunately." Dull rage and frustration and despair and helplessness bubbled up in Herb