Vorgens did not answer. He started toward the stairs that led down to the courtyard before Ctanthas’ home and the aircar waiting thereSomeone was coming up the steps. Altai.
“Here you are!” she said to Vorgens.
“I’m on my way back to the Mobile Force,” he said.
“Leaving? But why?”
“Why not? The battle’s over. Your people want to celebrate. You’ll want to get back to Merdon and the others.”
She smiled and stepped closer to him. “I haven’t said more than six words to Merdon since yesterday, and I’m not joining the celebration until you come with me. They’re celebrating their freedom, and you’re the man responsible for it. You’re coming with me!”
“I . ..”
Devilishly, she added, “You wouldn’t want Merdon to get aS. the credit, would you? Come on!”
Vorgens grinned back at her. “All right, you win. Sergeant, l-guess we’ll be staying awhile longer.”
“Yes sir,” Mclntyre said happily.
XIX
Attrition
The celebration at Katan was followed by six weeks of virtually uninterrupted battle flaming across the breadth of Shinar. Okatar Kang had decided to sack the planet, relentlessly raiding every district-, every town, systematically taking all the food, weapons, equipment and ammunition he desired.
Opposed to the Komani plan stood Vorgens and his concept of Shinarian self-defense, directed and keystoned by the Terrans.
It was a peculiar battle in many ways. Instead of large masses of troops and weapons clashing head-on, there were skirmishes, maneuverings, feints, sudden vicious attacks, ambushes—few single actions involved more than a battalion of men.