“All right,” said Donal. “That’s settled then. I’ll get you your watch-tower. And you get me the men and equipment I order without question and without delay. Already, these hesitations of your government mean I’ll be going into Zombri ten to fifteen per cent understrength.”

“What?” Bright’s dark brows drew together. “You’ve got two months yet until Target Date.”

“Target Dates,” said Donal, “are for the benefit of enemy intelligence. We’ll be jumping off in two weeks.” “Two weeks!” Bright stared at him. “You can’t be ready in two weeks.”

“I earnestly hope Colmain and his General Staff for Mara and Kultis agrees with you,” replied Donal. “They’ve the best land and space forces between the stars.”

“How?” Bright’s face paled with anger. “You dare to say that our own organization’s inferior?”

“Facing facts is definitely preferable to facing defeat,” said Donal, a little tiredly. “Yes, Eldest, our forces are definitely inferior. Which is why I’m depending on surprise rather than preparation.”

“The Soldiers of the Church are the bravest in the universe!” cried Bright. “They wear the armor of righteousness and never retreat.”

“Which explains their high casualty rate, regular necessity for green replacements, and general lower level of training,” Donal reminded him. “A willingness to die in battle is not necessarily the best trait in a soldier. Your mercenary units, where you’ve kept them free of native replacements, are decidedly more combat-ready at the moment. Do I have your backing from now on, for anything I feel I need?”

Bright hesitated. The tension of fanaticism relaxed out of his face, to be replaced by one of thoughtfulness. When he spoke again his voice was cold and businesslike.

“On everything but the Conscience Guardians,” he answered. “They have authority, after all, only over our own Members of the Churches.” He turned and walked around once more behind his desk. “Also,” he said, a trifle grimly, “you may have noticed that there are sometimes small differences of opinion concerning dogma between members of differing Churches. The presence of the Conscience Guardians among them makes them less prone to dispute, one with the other—and this you’ll grant, I’m sure, is an aid to military discipline.”

“It’s effective,” said Donal, shortly. He turned himself to go. “Oh, by the way, Eldest,” he said. “That true Target Date of two weeks from today. It’s essential it remain secret; so I’ve made sure it’s known only to two men and will remain their knowledge exclusively until an hour or so before jump-off.”

Bright’s head came up.

“Who’s the other?” he demanded sharply.

“You, sir,” said Donal. “I just made my decision about the true date a minute ago.”

They locked eyes for a long minute.

“May God be with you,” said Bright, in cold, even tones.

Donal went out.

WAR CHIEF II