his breath. Then. "Put him on the
screen. And get me General Itjes with the Coalition reinforcements."
He quickly checked the time. They were due to arrive in another hour.

The large main screen of the battle room came to life. And there in
the midst of it, his face animated with tension, confidence and
self-satisfaction, stood, in military uniform, General Charles William
Hayes, Secretary of State for the United Commonwealth.

His fear submerged beneath a desperate, fey indifference, Dubcek turned
to Masaryk with a rueful expression. "This just keeps getting
better..... Yes, Mr. Hayes. What are your terms?"

"I want the immediate surrender of all your forces, and a complete
shut-down of planetary defense systems. In return I'll see that your
people, both military and civilian, are treated fairly and with
respect."

"Oh, I have no doubt of that. Unfortunately, I do not have the
authority to negotiate such a complete capitulation. I have contacted
both our President and the Assembly (a necessary lie), and also the
Coalition military representative. You will have an answer soon
enough. One question, though, if I may ask it."

"What is it?"

"How do you plan to run the occupational government?" He looked at
Brunner as he said these words, turned back to Hayes. "Who will be in
charge?"

"The Belgians and Swiss."

"While you carry the crusade elsewhere?"

Hayes' voice was blunt, brutal. "You have five minutes."

"That should be sufficient. Thank you, Mr. Secretary." His face left
the screen, and Dubcek immediately went to work.

"Brunner, Wessenberg, Kinsky and Schmidt, get to the evacuation ships.
Gunnery and engineering high-officers to remain at their posts;
everyone else off. First battleship and remaining cruiser to provide
cover for their retreat, then get out themselves---link up with the
reinforcements as soon as possible and put themselves under the command
of General Itjes. Go on. Move!"

Masaryk relayed the orders with grim satisfaction. His commander was
going to fight.

As the others filed past him with blank, scared faces, Brunner remained
at his station. Dubcek looked over at him.

"Get out, fool!" But still he did not move. The aging commander
strode quickly over to him.

"There is no time for this. If you want to be brave then hold on to
your commission and fight them again."

"I don't want to leave---"

The voice of the communications officer broke him off.