“It’s fixed, sir! I know how! Borrow a fuse!” He stumbled away with the sergeant right behind him. I was falling into my role and beginning to enjoy myself. Though I was sure I would hate myself in the morning.

More MPs had arrived; the major reappeared and spread ,hpm arrninrl titt* tttf~QtTrfi anA in frrmf nf tnfi pntrunfv* T could see Morton begin to shiver at their presence so I hurried to take over from him.

“You can open that door now, lieutenant. No one goes in except these search teams. I want a head count going in and coming out.”

Under the verbal abuse of the sergeant the search was finished just in time. The first official cars were appearing as the techs were being loaded back into the trucks. “How did it go, sergeant?” I asked.

“Lot of beer cans, cagal like that. Swept secure, captain.”

“Good. Move the troops out of the way, but keep them around in case we need them again.”

I waved Morton after me and strolled over to the nearest truck, stood in its shadow where I could see what was happening.

“What’s happening,” Morton asked.

“Good question. Big, secret, and very sudden meeting of some kind. See that car, all officers of field rank or better.”

“We have got to get out of here!”

“Why? Can you think of a safer place to be? We are part of the security here—so no questions asked. Except by me. Look at that one getting out of the limo! Must have nine stars on his shoulders. Big stuff tonight. And that officer behind him. Never saw that uniform before. Something special. ..”

This officer turned about and I froze. A single silver skull on the shoulder of his gray-green coat. Another ~kull on the front of his cap.

And beneath the black brim of the cap a familiar face.

Captain Garth. Former captain of a Venian freighter. The man responsible for the death of my friend The Bishop.

“Stay here,” I ordered Morton, and stepped out of the darkness as soon as Garth had turned away. I walked toward him as he approached the security check at the entrance. Passed right behind him as he reached the major who threw a very snappy salute. I could hear the major’s voice clearly as I passed and went on.

“They are almost all inside. General Zennor.”

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