By dawn, they were ready. The usual early-morning bustle of commerce was replaced by a deadly, calm, quiet. Shops and offices were closed. Windows and doors bolted. The streets were empty, except for a few patrolling policemen. The hot, yellow sun rose, the sparkling water lapped the harbor docks and seawalls, the morning breeze blew in from the ocean, but the citizens of Katan were not out of doors to see. They waited indoors, grimly checking their weapons and ammunition.
The city lay curving around its crescent-shaped harbor. A small river cut through the heart of Katan, dividing itto two unequal segments, called the Lesser City and the Greater City. Beyond the outskirts of the city, beyond the parks and playgrounds and occasional suburban estates, were the rolling, wooded hills that masked the approach of the Komani.
The lulling calm of the morning was shattered by the scream of an aircar streaking fast and low over the buildingsThe plane circled twice, then made a vertical descent into a deserted public park in the residential section of the city.
A handful of policemen ran to the aircar as its Jets whined to a stop. Guns poked out ominously from dozens of windows and rooftops. Vorgens, Aikens, Mclntyre, and two of the brigadier’s staff officers climbed out. The Shinarians relaxed. A groundcar slid up to the Terrans, and they were whisked to Clanthas’ home.
Clanthas had turned his veranda into a battle headquarters, The town council, the mayor, the police chief and several other community leaders were there to greet the TerransVorgens quickly introduced Brigadier Aikens, Sergeant Mclntyre, and the brigadier’s two aides.