 Who was the mission intended to benefit?
Perhaps there was method in Colonel Walsh's madness—murder-madness—when he ordered Major Polk to scan the planet for a guy named Joe. For example, he could have chosen a Second Looie for the job on Venus. We were somewhere in Area Two on Earth, takeoff point for any operations in Space II. "It will be a simple assignment, Major," he said to me, peering over his fingers. If Walsh really wanted to know the reasons for the revolt, I could give them to him in one word: Walsh. It had been going on for six months now and we'd lost at least a thousand men from Space II. The trip to Venus came off without a hitch.
 Captain Walsh, because he wanted to see Major Polk suffer.
 Captain Walsh, because they desperately needed to find the right Joe.  Major Polk, because he wanted to force Captain Walsh out of office.  Major Polk, because he wanted to prove himself better than Major Walsh.  Captain Walsh, because he wanted to see Major Polk suffer.