Clanthas sank back in his chair. “Only a matter of time,” he moaned, “before our planet is completely at the mercy of these barbarians.” He looked up at his son. “You’re certain of this?”
“Okatar Kang is gathering his men from every corner of the planet. Our own fighting units are joining him. There’s even talk of contingents from other Komani clans landing on Shinar to join the battle.”
Uke vermin attracted to an open wound, thought Clanthas.
Merdon continued, “Okatar wants to be certain of overpowering strength beforewe attack the Terrans. We’ll wipe them out completely!”
“Listen to me,” Clanthas commanded. “Keep your men away from that battle. Don’t join in it. The Terrans don’t realize that we—you—invited the Komani to Shinar to fight for us. If they ever find out, they’ll never trust any of us again.”
“But. . .”
Clanthas waved his son to silence. “If the Komani beat the Terrans, they might be weakened enough for us to overcome them. If the Terrans win, we can say we had no active role in fighting against them. Perhaps we can still escape from this circle of doom in which you’ve placed us.”
“Father, you don’t understand. The Komani are our allies. They have come to Shinar because we asked them.
They are fighting for us. They are dying to help free usrom the Terrans.” The ex-merchant swore under his breath. Aloud, heaid, “The Komani are barbarians. They have no allies. Now they are lolling Terrans. Next they will kill
Shinarians.”
“Father, you must learn to trust them.” “I trust them! I trust them to loot this planet when they’ve finished with the Terrans. I trust them to sack and bum and destroy everything they can’t carry away with them, and I trust they’ll start just as soon as the