“And we’ll continue to discuss it,” continued Donal, pleasantly, “whenever you wish to ask for the reason behind any individual order of mine. As I was saying—Zombri is the Trojan horse of the Procyon city. Unfortunately, in this day and age, we can hardly smuggle men onto it. We can, however, make a sudden landing in force and attempt to set up defenses before the Exotics are alerted. Our effort, then, must be to make our landing as quickly and effectively as possible. To do that best, is to land virtually unopposed in spite of the fact that the Exotics will undoubtedly have a regular force keeping its eye on Zombri. The best way to achieve that, is to appear in overwhelming strength, so that the local commanders will realize it is foolish to attempt to interfere with our landing. And the best way to put on a show of strength is to appear to have three times the ships of the first class that we do have. Therefore the sheathing.”

Donal stopped talking, walked back across to the desk, and pressed the keys. The schematic disappeared.

“Very well,” said Bright. The tone of his voice showed no trace of defeat or loss of arrogance. “I will authorize the order.”

“Perhaps,” said Donal, “you’ll also authorize another order to remove the

Conscience Guardians from my ships and units.”

“Heretics—began Bright.

“Are no concern of mine,” said Donal. “My job is to get these people ready to mount an assault. But I’ve got over sixty per cent native troops of yours under me; and their morale is hardly being improved, on an average of three trials for heresy a week.”

“This is a church matter,” said Bright. “Is there anything else you wished to ask me, War Chief?”

“Yes,” said Donal. “I ordered mining equipment. It hasn’t arrived.” “The order was excessive,” said Bright. “There should be no need to dig in anything but the command posts, on Zombri.”

Donal looked at the black-clad man for a long moment. His white face and white hands—the only uncovered part of him, seemed rather the false part than the real, as if they were mask and gloves attached to some black and alien creature.

“Let’s understand each other,” said Donal. “Aside from the fact that I don’t order men into exposed positions where they’ll be killed— whether they’re mercenaries or your own suicide-happy troops, just what do you want to accomplish by this move against the Exotics?”

“They threaten us,” answered Bright. “They are worse than the heretics. They are Satan’s own legion —the deniers of God.” The man’s eyes glittered like ice in the sunlight. “We must establish a watchtower over them that they may not threaten us without warning; and we may live in safety.”