“Heh . . . no,” Galt gave vent to something halfway between a cough an a chuckle; and, getting out his pipe, began to fill it with fingers that trembled a little. “Damned tired, that’s all. In fact I’m ready to retire—but how can a man quit just when all hell’s popping? You got my message—how many field units can you let me have?”

“A couple and some odds and ends. Say twenty thousand of first-line troops—” Galt’s head came up. “Don’t worry,” Donal smiled. They will be moved in by small, clumsy stages to give the impression I’m letting you have five times that number, but the procedure’s a little fouled up in getting them actually transferred.” Galt grunted.

“I might’ve known you’d think of something,” he said. “We can use that mind of yours here, at the main Conference. Officially, we’re gathered here just to agree on a common attitude to the new government on New Earth—but you know what’s really on the fire, don’t you?”

“I can guess,” said Donal. “The open market.”

“Right.” Galt got his pipe alight; and puffed on it gratefully. “The split’s right down the middle, now that New Earth’s in the Venus Group’s camp and we—Freiland, that is—are clear over on the nonmarket side by way of reaction. We’re in fair enough strength counting heads as we sit around the table; but that’s not the problem. They’ve got William—and that white-haired devil Blaine.” He looked sharply over at Donal. “You know Project Blaine, don’t you?”

“I’ve never met him. This is my first trip to Venus,” said Donal.

“There’s a shark,” said Galt with feeling. “I’d like to see him and William lock horns on something. Maybe they’d chew each other up and improve the universe. Well . . . about your status here—”

“Officially I’m sent by Sayona the Bond as an observer.”

“Well, that’s no problem then. We can easily get you invited to step from observer to delegate status. In fact, I’ve already passed the word. We were just waiting for you to arrive.” Galt blew a large cloud of smoke and squinted at Donal through it. “But how about it, Donal? I trust that insight of yours. What’s really in the wind here at the Conference?”

“I’m not sure,” answered Donal. “It’s my belief somebody made a mistake.”

“A mistake?”

“New Earth,” explained Donal. “It was a fool’s trick to overthrow the government there right now—and by force, at that. Which is why I believe we’ll be getting it back.” Galt sat up sharply, taking his pipe from his mouth.

“Getting it back? You mean—the old government returned to power?” He stared at Donal. “Who’d give it back to us?”