“In a sense, yes. But we will not become like the Terrans. We are fighters, not governors. The Komani will live on tribute, freely given by the peoples we liberate from the Terrans. We shall leave aH peoples in peace, and tight against only those who work for the Terrans, or who oppose us.”
Merdon nodded. “I see.” But in his mind he saw his father’s worried face, and heard his words of warning.
“Now then,” Okatar resumed, “about these tallies of weapons. I had assumed that there would be more weapons available. This list seems too short.”
Merdon could sense Romal, sitting next to him, tense at the Komani’s question. He answered calmly:
“My quartermaster has prepared very accurate tallies. Remember that we took those weapons from small garrison posts among the outlying towns. The Terrans kept most of their weapons in the major arsenals in the four cities that they still hold.”
Okatar nodded. “I understand that there are goodsized arsenals in some of the smaller cities. The port of Katan, for instance.”
“There is an arsenal there, yes,” Merdon agreed. “But it is relatively small and nearly empty. Besides, Katan is a long distance from here. We could never get the weapons from the arsenal to our troops in time for tomorrow morning’s attack on the Mobile Force.”
“Sound logic,” Okatar said. “In any event, we have more than enough weapons for tomorrow’s attack.” His lips parted in a smile, but his yellow eyes were cold.
“I have the latest information about food deliveries,” Romal said, changing the subjectHis voice, always highpitched, nearly cracked from nervousness.