“It is fortunate that you came when you did,” Sittas said to the Watchman.
Vorgens looked around at the crowd. “It looks to me as though you had quite a bit of help without us.”
It was late at night when Vorgens and Mclntyre returned to the Mobile Force. Most of the dreadnaught’s crewmen were asleep. Altai had stayed at Matara, and the Komani warrior had been placed under Shinarian custody.
A. yellow light flashing at the command desk told Vorgens that a message was waiting for him. He activated the viewscreen and scanned the words printed on it.
”Is it from Star Watch Headquarters?” Mclntyre asked eagerly.
Vorgens slumped into his seat. “Yes, it is.”
Mclntyre stepped over beside the Watchman to read the screen:
MINIMAL RELIEF FLEET OF THREE STARSHIPS AND NORMAL COMPLEMENT OF MARINES WILL ARRIVE AT SHINAR IN SIX WEEKS. SWHQ.
“Three ships.” Mclntyre said, stunned. “Three lousy ships.”
“A token force,” Vorgens said. “I suppose that they feel we’re not worth risking more men and ships.”
“But that ain’t gonna do us any good at all!”
“I know. It wilT prove what Okatar’s been saying all along—that the Empire isn’t able to meet the strength of the combined Komani clans. It would’ve been better if they had decided not to send any reinforcements at all.”
XVI
^Shinar Has Been Conquered0
Merdon gnawed fretfully on his lower lip as he sat before the blank viewscreen. Standing outside the tri-di booth were Tarat and Romal. The trio were in the abandoned nutrient-processing plant where Merdon had hidden a cache of weapons.