ose a true threat. Is there anything else?"

There was nothing. "One final detail before we adjourn," Thark said.
"We will be operating on Palace Standard Time from this point on, so
adjust your chronos accordingly. This meeting is adjourned until 1600
hours, that time."

* * * * *

By 1600, when the full council reconvened, Thark and the Seniors had
received reports from all the operational groups and had finalized
their plans. Thark rose and addressed the group.

"This is the most important turning point in both human and Irschchan
history," he told them, trying to project his solemnity. "What we are
planning here, what we will soon accomplish, will determine the course
of civilization for centuries to come. We dare not fail, for if we do,
the galaxy will continue under human rule, their lack of Talent causing
them to stumble from crisis to crisis, a whisker's width from disaster
and complete chaos at any moment. Worse, they will drag us along with
them. It is symptomatic that except for Irschcha itself, our people
have no voice in Imperial government.

"I am the highest Irschchan official, its Baron in their terms--the
lowest of the Imperial nobility. All other nobles outside the Traiti
Sector are human. There has never been an Irschchan Ranger, so we
cannot hope for an Irschchan Sovereign unless we succeed."

He paused and scanned the group lightly, sensing their approval of his
words. "If we succeed, however--when we succeed--we will bring the
Empire the same peace and stability the White Order has brought
Irschcha since its triumph. The humans may find it difficult to accept
at first--they seem to actually enjoy disorder--but they will soon come
to realize the superiority of rule by the Talented. The change may in
fact be difficult for our own people as well, but in the long range,
things will be better for all three races."

He paused again, then spoke in a more matter-of-fact tone. "These are
the final plans. The last operational group can be in position by 0145
two days from now. Allowing an hour for the inevitable delays, I am
setting the strike for 0245. It is vitally important that no warnings
be given. Since Losinj got no details of the Crusade from me, any
alert that Medart puts out will have to be a general one. Losinj may
be able to make some guesses, since she does know me, but the Empire
will not dare depend on those. Except for the Palace itself, th