atmosphere. He
wavered, wondering whether he should detach more ships to send out
there. Reason and training told him to stick to the key objective, which
was Coar's surrender. He waited only for Group Three to achieve a
converging course, then started around the sun again.

They didn't encounter even a roboscout. He crossed the sun, curved into
Coar's orbit, matched speeds, and coasted along a million miles ahead of
the planet, sending light sorties in to feel out any ambushes. Still
there was no sign of fight, so he went in closer where the enemy could
get a good look at his strength. Finally he took a small group in boldly
over the fourth planet's Capitol and sent a challenge.

The answer was odd. "This is Acting President Kliu. What are your
intentions?"

Tulan realized he was holding his breath. He let it out and looked
around the silent command room, meeting the intent eyes of his staff. He
had an unreal feeling; this couldn't be the climax, the
consummation--this simple exchange over the radio. He lifted the
microphone slowly. "This is Admiral Tulan, commanding the Fleets of
Sennech. I demand your immediate and unconditional surrender."

There was something in the reply that might have been dry amusement:
"Oh; by all means; but I hope you're not going to insist upon an
elaborate ceremony. Right now we don't give a damn about the war; we're
worried about the race."

There was more silence, and Tulan turned, uncertainly, looking at the
bare spot where Jezef ought to be standing. He buzzed for
Communications. "Connect me with Captain Rhu. Rhu; I'm advancing you in
rank and leaving you in charge here. I'm going down to accept the
surrender and find out what this man's talking about."

* * * * *

Kliu was gaunt and middle-aged, wearing, to Tulan's surprise, the gray
of Coar's First Level of Science. He was neither abject nor hostile,
agreeing impatiently to turn over the secret of Coar's weapon and to
assist with a token occupation of the planet. Again Tulan had the
unreal, let-down feeling, and judging by Kliu's amused expression, it
showed.

Tulan sent couriers to get things started, then turned back to the
scientist. "So you have had a change of government. What did you mean,
about the race?"

Kliu watched him for a moment. "How much do you know about the weapon?"

"Very little. That it projects matter through hyperspace and
materializes it where you want it."

"Not exa