Part 27 (2/2)

The fourth phase of the battle consisted of mopping-up operations in which individual s.h.i.+ps were hunted down and destroyed by the simple process of a Kandarian s.h.i.+p seeming to materialize from nowhere a mile or half a mile from an enemy, launching one missile and seeming to dematerialize again and vanish.

Very few Mekinese s.h.i.+ps went into overdrive. Probably most of them didn't believe what was happening. Perhaps four s.h.i.+ps, out of the entire grand fleet, escaped.

Later, of course, there was embarra.s.sment all around. King Humphrey the Eighth landed on Kandar to a.s.sure his people that they were no longer in danger. He was embarra.s.sed because he was a victor in spite of himself.

The fleet officers were embarra.s.sed because Bors had been forced out of the fleet, and had literally tricked them into battle.

Bors, too, was embarra.s.sed. There was the admiration displayed by junior officers of the fleet. He had become, very unwillingly, a model for young s.p.a.ce-navy officers. They tried to pattern themselves after him in all ways, even to the angle at which they wore their hats. He squirmed when they looked at him with s.h.i.+ning-eyed respect.

He was embarra.s.sed, also, by the necessary revelation to the _Liberty's_ crew that he was neither the leader of a rebellion nor in command of a fleet; nor that he had performed quite all the fabulous feats credited to him. He had to explain that he'd only commanded two s.h.i.+ps, the _Isis_ and the _Horus_, one of which had to be destroyed, and that when the _Liberty_ placed itself under his command he'd just been forced to resign his commission from King Humphrey. The young men who'd fought under him were unimpressed.

The fleet was re-supplied with food and missiles, and in one day more the major part of it would take off for Mekin. Other s.h.i.+ps would journey, of course, to the twenty-odd, once-subject worlds. There they would--they were calmly confident about it--mop up any surviving Mekinese s.h.i.+ps and enforce the surrender of Mekinese garrisons. And they would gather emissaries to be carried to the fleet as it rode in orbit about Mekin. The fleet and the representatives of the twenty-two worlds, together, would firmly rearrange the government and the policies and the ambitions of Mekin.

There was still the matter of Gwenlyn. The _Sylva_ came down on Kandar, of course, where Morgan swaggered happily, pointing out the indispensable help given to Kandar by Talents, Incorporated. Bors reminded King Humphrey that Morgan collected medals, and he was duly invested with sundry glittering decorations, which would have staggered a lesser man.

Gwenlyn found Bors secluded in the palace, waiting until it was time to board s.h.i.+p and head for Mekin. Her father accompanied her.

”I've come to say goodbye,” she said gently. ”We've done what we came for.”

”I still don't understand why you came,” said Bors, who would much rather have said something else. ”We can't possibly do anything adequate in return. Why _did_ you come?”

He turned to Morgan, who answered blandly, ”One of our Talents precognized an event. We had to come here and help it to happen. Gwenlyn was doubtful, but she's come around.”

”What was it?”

”It hasn't happened yet,” said Morgan. He produced a cigar and lighted it. ”Gwenlyn, shall I tell him?”

”Don't you dare!” said Gwenlyn hotly.

Bors said unhappily, ”I'm sorry you're going away, Gwenlyn. If things were--different, I--I--”

”You what?” asked Morgan. ”By the way! One of our Talents has precognized that your uncle's going back to Tralee as its king again.

Largely on your account. You're his heir, aren't you?”

Bors blinked.

”Hero,” said Morgan, waving his hand. ”Twenty-two planets adoring you, believing you brought Mekin down single-handed. Aching to work with you, follow you, admire you. Naturally, Tralee wants your uncle back. Then they'll have you. Of course,” he added complacently, ”our Department for Disseminating Truthful Seditious Rumors had something to do with it. But that was necessary wartime propaganda. And you didn't let anybody down.”

Then he said peevishly, ”Not until now!”

Bors gaped. He looked at Gwenlyn. Her cheeks were crimson. Revelation struck Bors like a blow.

”I don't believe it!” he said, staring at her. He said more loudly, ”I don't believe it!”

”d.a.m.nit,” said Morgan indignantly. ”She didn't believe it either! She said she'd come here because she was curious, nothing more. But that particular Talent's never missed yet! She just plain _knows_ every time who--”

”Hus.h.!.+” said Gwenlyn fiercely. ”Goodbye.”

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