 Why does Ethaniel think the humans look defenseless?
But this vast distance did not mean that isolation could endure forever. "The wrong diplomatic move, or a trigger-happy soldier could set it off. A meteor shower could pass over and their clumsy instruments could interpret it as an all-out enemy attack." There's nothing in this region of space our people want," said Ethaniel. They went much closer to Earth, not intending to commit themselves. "What's worse is that I now find they also have missiles, range one thousand miles and upward. We can't help them," said Ethaniel. The southern plains were green, coursed with rivers; the oceans were blue; and much of the northern hemisphere was glistening white.
 Without wings, the humans look small and defenseless.
 Without space travel, the humans seem defenseless against an alien attack.  Without wings, the humans look small and defenseless.  Without wings, the humans look like children.  Without space weapon technology, the humans seem defenseless against an alien attack.