Chapter Three
The General Of The Fleet calculated roughly when The Goddens would
attack. "This does not give us enough time," he worried, "to put our
plans into action. I must do something to startle them, to make them
think we did not receive the message from our Agent, and are not
expecting their attack.
2 I am going to send out orders for massive maneuvers in all the
systems around Peepi. As we often send such orders in the open,
uncoded, it will not surprise The Goddens, and having so many ships in
their attack route will force them to stand off for a few days, and
reconsider their actions. They may withdraw The Peepian Assault Force
and combine it with the Force heading for Hades.
3 "It sounds good," agreed The Turner Against, "give it a try. But
watch for the signs that they're massing. We must confuse them at just
the right moment."
4 The General Of The Fleet nodded, saluted, and left. The Turner
Against continued to pack his things. When all was safely out of his
offices he hurried home. His mates and children had already packed.
5 Continuing the Tradition that his father and North had started, he
had a mate from each of the three races. As two of them were widows who
already had their own children, there was a strange mixture of young in
the house.
6 The youngest only watched in confusion as the oldest helped their
mothers gather their things. "We hate to leave all of our furniture,"
complained the youngest mate.
7 ''If there is time," promised The Turner Against, "that that can be
saved will be shipped out. We can take only now what we can carry with
us, and the ship is waiting. It must get us away and return for others
while there is still time."
8 The oldest mate came forward. "I have called my