“So far the plan has gone extremely well. Leoh has not only been of no trouble to us, but his exploits have distracted most of the soft-headed Acquatainians. Meanwhile our preparations are exactly on schedule.”
“The invasion,” Odal murmured.
Kor smiled. “We have—let us say, persuaded—the government of the Etra Domain to allow us to station a attle fleet in their territory. Etra stands between the Acquatainian Cluster and the nearest Star Watch basesIf the Commonwealth tries to intervene, we can hold up their forces long enough to allow us to conquer Acquatainia.”
Odal nodded curtly; he had heard the plan before.
“Now is the time,” Kor went on, “for you to supply the final step. The destruction of Leoh, and the complete lulling of the Acquatainians.”
Odal said nothing.
“You still do not litre the role you are required to play,” Kor said. “No, don’t bother to deny it, I can see it in your face. Let me remind you that your duty may not always be pleasant, but if you succeed your rewards will be high.”
“I will do my duty, unpleasant or not,” Odal said stiffly. And I know the penalties for failure, he added silently.
Leoh looked bone-weary to Hector as they returned from the party. That morning, a new psychonics building had been dedicated at the university. It was named the Albert Robertus Leoh Center for Psychonics Studies.
The day had been spent in speeches on an outdoor platform in the morning, a tour of the new building in the afternoon, dinner with the president and trustees of the university, and the inevitabte party that night.