 How does Crownwall feel about the Vegans?
The sight of an Earthman on Vega III, where it was impossible for an outlander to be, brought angry crowds to surround John Crownwall as he strode toward the palace of Viceroy Tronn Ffallk, ruler of Sector XII of the Universal Holy Empire of Sunda. But here, surrounded by this writhing, slithering mass of eight-foot creatures, he felt distinctly unhappy. If they carried out the threats of their present attitude, Earth would have to send Marshall to replace him. A pair of guards, their purple hides smoothly polished and gleaming with oil, crossed their ceremonial pikes in front of him as he approached the entrance. Crownwall sat on the steps, puffed alight a cigarette, and blew expert smoke rings toward the guards. Behind him stood a heavy and pompous appearing Vegan in lordly trappings. What I meant was that I expected someone from Earth to break through our blockade and come here. There was even serious discussion of destroying Earth out of hand, while it is still possible. While these creatures could by no means be classed among the intelligent races, there was a general expectation, which we reported to the Sunda, that they would some day come to be numbered among the Servants of the Emperor. As an Earthling, you have heard of the details of the first expedition of your people into space, of course?" " Heard about it?" exclaimed Crownwall. 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. The men of Earth had decided that it should work in theory. 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. With your total lack of information about us, what you did was more than the height of folly. "Could we have done anything else that would have kept you from landing on Earth and taking us over?" asked Crownwall. Even if you could get down to the bottom of the ocean and tamper with the bomb, you would only succeed in setting it off, and that's what the Sunda had been in favor of in the first place.
 Crownwall thinks the Vegans seem to be just as brutal and horrible as they make the Sundans out to be.
 Crownwall thinks the Vegans are a kind and benevolent race.  Crownwall thinks the Vegans seem to be just as brutal and horrible as they make the Sundans out to be.  Crownwall thinks the Vegans are murderous and can't wait to get away from them.  Crownwall is disgusted by the sight of the slobbering, boneless, tentacled creatures.