. “We have a van full of medical supplies, sir,” the lieutenant told the priest. “Compliments of the Ten-an Imperial Star Watch and Marine Corps.”
As the Terrans, with a dozen Shinarian youths helping them, unloaded the supplies, Sittas found Altai and said:
“I know this is your doing. But how did you accomplish it?”
She smiled at her uncle. “I phoned our people in Capital City. They saw to it that the Terran garrison there learned of your need for medical help. The garrison informed the Star Watchman, I suppose, and he sent the supplies.”
Sittas shook his head. “Lines of communication become very strange in wartime.”
Before the Terran van was unloaded completely, a •’ small civilian groundcar pulled up beside itThe driver hopped out lightly, trotted around to the passenger’s side, and opened the door. A tall, broad-girthed, balding Shin^ arian stepped out—Clanthas.
He cocked an eye at the Terran vehicle, then walked ;’ into the town hall. For several minutes he spoke to no ^ one, but merely paced slowly through the improvised ^ hospital, watching Shinarians tending the wounded Tery rans and Komani. He nodded to a few of the doctors, € grinned at the women and youths assisting them. Finally, Clanthas spotted Sittas. The old priest was ^ standing on the balcony that ran around three sides of
Jthe large, ground-level room that had been the town hall’s main auditorium. Clanthas climbed the stairs ^ slowly, yet he was still puffing a bit when he reached the top.
Sittas was locked in a discussion with one of the doctors.