lievable.

The government of Bairnvell, under the leadership of President
Alverdan, was not, by any means, up to the standards of the Empire;
the standard of living is lower, and the political freedom of the
people is not at all what we are used to. But that is no excuse for
interfering with the lawful government of any planet. If the
Imperium uses these methods for extending its rule, the time must
eventually come when our own civil liberties will be in peril.

Perhaps Lord Senesin's actions are not so surprising, at that. This
is the third time during his tenure as Prime Portfolio that he has
arbitrarily exercised his power to interfere in the affairs of
governments outside the Empire. Each such action has precipitated a
crisis in Galactic affairs, and each has brought the Empire nearer
to conflict with the Gehan Federation. This one may be the final act
that will bring on interstellar war.

The ...

* * * * *

Colonel Lord Sorban stopped reading as he noticed the approach of the
man he'd been waiting for, but he didn't look up until the voice said:

"I see you've been reading it, my lord." The voice was bitter. "A real
fiasco this time, eh?"

Sorban looked up. "It looks like it might mean trouble," he said
carefully. "Have you read all of it, Mr. Senesin?"

The young man nodded. The bitterness in his voice was paralleled by the
bitterness reflected in his face. "Oh, yes. I read it. The other
newsfacs pretty much agreed with the _Globe_. I'm afraid my father seems
to be rather in the soup. Being Prime Portfolio in the Terran Empire
isn't the easiest way to stay out of trouble. They'll be screaming for a
Special Election next." He sat down next to the colonel and lowered his
voice just enough to keep anyone else from hearing it, but not enough to
sound conspiratorial. "I think I've got a line on those tapes."

Colonel Sorban raised an eyebrow. "Really? Well, I wish you luck. If you
can uncover them in time, you may be able to save your father's career,"
he said, in a voice that matched Senesin's.

"You don't sound very concerned, my lord," said young Senesin.

"It's not that," said the colonel. "I just find it difficult to believe
that--" He cut his words off as another man approached.

The second newcomer was a red-faced, plumpish man with an almost
offensively hearty manner. "Well, well! Good afternoon, Lord Sorban