How to appeal to them? That was the question. How to present the Star Watch’s demands in a way that they could understand and accept? Vorgens thought about it, and tried to frame the words he would use with Okatar.
At length, Sittas returned to the tent. He stood silently at the entrance for several minutes before the Watchman noticed him there.
“Well?”
The old priest looked into Vorgens’ eyes”You asked me to arrange a meeting with Okatar Kang.”
‘That’s right.”
“He wants to see you immediately.”
Vorgens jumped to his feet. “Good!”
“No, my friend, not good,” Sittas murmured slowly. “He wishes to see you merely to pronounce a death sentence over you.”
Vorgens was escorted to Okatar Kang*s huge golden bubble-tent by a half-dozen warriors. Sittas walked at his side as they tramped through the encampment. The sun was high, the sides cloudless. The Watchman could not help but notice that there was much more bustle and activity in the Komani camp than there had been the previous afternoon.
They’re puQmg in their men from aS. over the planet, Vorgens said to himself. They’re getting ready for a major attack on the Mobile Force.
He had expected the Kang’s tent to be crowded with people, but instead it was nearly empty. A small group of Komani and Shinarians were sitting at a low-slung table off to one side of the tent. The guards marched Vorgens to the middle of the tent, then turned to face the table, Sittas remained just inside the doorway.
Vorgens guessed that the second Komani from the right was Okatar. He was no bigger or more impressive physically than the rest, but his head was held a trifle higher, his back was a shade stiffer, and his yellow cat’s eyes gave an impression of unquestioned authority. Komani faces gave Vorgens a feeling of fierceness. He almost expected them to have saber-like fangs jutting from their lips.