Now North sat back, and for the next three days
waited. Two days before the attack was supposed to go, there was a
hardly noticeable increase of Imperial traffic into one of the systems
the attack was supposed to hit. The next day North's Agents in that
sector sent him a message. 'Large enemy force massing here.'
29 North called in Gray Mountain "Send out the order cancelling the
original attacks." he ordered. "Give the order for the attacks on the
commercial lanes. I'm going to be gone for a few days. As far as anyone
is concerned, I'm not feeling good. I'm taking a few day's rest at home.
30 North 2 will be there to cover for me. The Morning Star is making a
routine run under its Commander, but I'm not on board."
31 Gray Mountain nodded. The journey out to The Fifth Sector was
uneventful, and when they settled into orbit around its military
Command post, and beamed down an Operator for a beam tube, no one
questioned it.
32 So when North arrived a few minutes later, the tube station was
empty, but for his own Operator. However a few minutes later, the
Sector Commander entered.
33 "North," he cried, extending his hand in the traditional Haven
greeting, but North stepped back,
and motioned him to take a seat. The Officer's expression changed from
one of joy to dread. He had seen this look on North's face before.
34 "Why?" North asked when they were both seated.
35 "Why , what?" the other replied.
36 "Why did you sell us out?" North asked. "What were you promised?
What did they give you that was so much better than what you have now?"
37 "I don't know what you're talking about," the Officer stuttered.
38 "The last orders I sent you," explained North, "were a trap. I sent
different orders to each Sector