"That's one way of looking at. We do it to see what level their civilization is at or if there even is one at all," he explained. "A civilization has to meet certain criteria before we're allowed to make contact to help preserve that civilization and its natural evolution."

He gave a wry grin at the next question.

"Ah. Well, this particular civilization was sitting right under a very active volcano. And while we can't interact, the fact we knew this volcano was going to erupt and essentially destroy these people - well, I didn't think it was right to just turn a blind eye to it. So we went down to stop it, but do it secretly and quietly as possible."

Never mind that he had been raked over the coals for it, and he still wasn't sorry.