eir spidery legs at each other. Then the leader
turned to the interpreter again and "spoke."

"They say that they agree," the interpreter said. "But they want to
emphasize that it is not because they fear the power of the Solar
System."

The Gnii leader hesitated a moment, then extended his leg again.
President Wong pumped it once. The Gnii dropped his hand and turned
and left the room, with the three others and the interpreter filing
after him.

"If you don't need me any more," the Manager of Trade said, glancing
at his watch, "I'll go back to the Trade Bureau. I have a meeting with
a number of the department heads."

President Wong nodded tiredly. "I have the tapes. I'll study all your
positions tonight."

* * * * *

The Manager of Trade and the Manager of Foreign Affairs rose and left
the room. The Manager of Defense stayed in his seat.

"If you feel up to it," Al said, "the Manager of Defense would
appreciate it if you would present a Presidential citation to the
remains of the Third Company. They were involved in a police action in
the system of Veganea, and their morale is shattered. As you know, the
award is traditional, as is the speech. Here's the text--all you need
do is read it."

"All right," President Wong said, taking the paper from Al's hand and
scanning it. There was only one paragraph.

The door opened and four old men entered, followed by an honor guard
of eight husky privates. They approached the desk and stood at
attention. President Wong looked up from the speech and felt a wave of
sudden nausea. For a second, he was afraid that he actually was going
to be sick. None of their old lined faces was complete. The worst
wounded had less than half a face, and that discolored by purple
blotches of radiation scar-tissue. He was blind, and the others
maneuvered him into position before the desk.

"For the heroic parts which you played in the Police Action against
Veganea--" Wong stumbled over the name, then continued hastily--"I,
the President of the Solar Union, hereby...."

"Rot," said the blind one, through toothless gums in a voice that was
only a hoarse whisper. "Tell me, do you know where Veganea is? Does
anyone on Earth know where Veganea is, or care? How many men, Mr.
President, how many men, young and healthy, left for that police
action? Do you know?" His hoarse voice rose. "Four came back ... but
can any of you gentlemen tell me _how many left_?"

"T