Short Fiction · Lone Star Planet (3/11) (2/2)

“The Embassy radio isn’t reliable beyond about sixty light-minutes, sir.”

“Then tell Sir Rodney to bring his fleet in that close. The invasion, if it comes, will probably not come from the direction of the z’Srauff star-cluster; they’ll probably jump past us and move in from the other side. I hope you don’t think I’m having nightmares, Commander. Danger of a z’Srauff invasion was pointed out to me by persons on the very highest level, on Luna.”

Stonehenge nodded. “I’m always having the same kind of nightmares, sir. Especially since this special envoy arrived here, ostensibly to negotiate a meteor-mining treaty.” He hesitated for a moment. “We don’t want the New Texans to know, of course, that you’ve sent for the fleet?”

“Naturally not.”

“Well, if I can wait till about midnight before I leave, I can get a boat owned, manned and operated by Solar League people. The boat’s a dreadful-looking old tub, but she’s sound and fast. The gang who own her are pretty notorious characters⁠—suspected of smuggling, piracy, and whatnot⁠—but they’ll keep their mouths shut if well paid.”

“Then pay them well,” I said. “And it’s just as well you’re not leaving at once. When I get back from this clambake, I’ll want to have a general informal council, and I certainly want you in on it.”

On the way to the Statehouse in the aircar, I kept wondering just how smart I had been.

I was pretty sure that the z’Srauff was getting ready for a sneak attack on New Texas, and, as Solar League Ambassador, I of course had the right to call on the Space Navy for any amount of armed protection.

Sending Stonehenge off on what couldn’t be less than an eighteen-hour trip would delay anything he and Hoddy might be cooking up, too.

On the other hand, with the fleet so near, they might decide to have me rubbed out in a hurry, to justify seizing the planet ahead of the z’Srauff.

I was in that pleasant spot called, “Damned if you do and damned if you don’t.⁠ ⁠…”