 How does the Council feel about Crownwall's decision to go back in time to before the Vegans appeared?
If they carried out the threats of their present attitude, Earth would have to send Marshall to replace him. "It was only decided yesterday, back on Earth, that I would be the one to make the trip here. There was even serious discussion of destroying Earth out of hand, while it is still possible. It had been manned by a dozen adventurous people, captained by Crownwall, and had headed out on its ion drive until it was safely clear of the warping influence of planetary masses. Then, after several impatient days of careful study and calculation, the distorter drive had been activated, for the first time in Earth's history, and, for the twelve, the stars had winked out. In less than a week's time, if time has any meaning under such circumstances, they had flickered back into normal space, in the vicinity of Alpha Centauri. They had headed for that planet confidently and unsuspectingly, using the ion drive. Two weeks later, while they were still several planetary diameters from their destination, they had been shocked to find more than two score alien ships of space closing in on them—ships that were swifter and more maneuverable than their own. Although far within the dangerous influence of a planetary mass, they had again activated the distorter drive, and they had beaten the odds. On the distorter drive, they had returned to Earth as swiftly as they had departed.
 They are horrified. They sent Crownwall to make a peace treaty not to commit genocide.
 They are scared. The Sundans will surely attack the Earth now.  They are horrified. They sent Crownwall to make a peace treaty not to commit genocide.  They are sad. They are all alone in the universe now.  They are ecstatic. All of their enemies are gone now.