 Who was the mission intended to benefit?
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. 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. "It's a simple culture, you know. "And the natives are only now becoming acquainted with Terran culture. The natives are a simple, almost childish people. In fact, he looked as if he were responsible for having put Venus in the heavens in the first place.
 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.