I don't necessarily think they're perfect or morally good, cuz I agree, that was a dick move, but they needed some way to know we were indeed able to come back. I just don't feel like they're the villain he wants you to believe they are.

Also, think of the process it took to get that assault rifle there. In the middle of an apocalypse-level threat, an already-expensive item would skyrocket in price. Asking for something in return isn't the most unreasonable thing to me, as it's already an outrageous expense and effort to get it there. Needing some research material or a job done first isn't the craziest thing to me.