"Then prepare for a sector by sector defense," The Emperor ordered.  "Set up a laser communications grid across the whole planet's surface."
     Instantly his people went to work.  Barely had they got the system operational than word came of landings everywhere.  The people stubbornly held their ground but the enemy was relentless.  Tampon came to The Emperor.
     "The reports are very strange," he announced, "the attackers appear to look like us, except they are shiny black, completely black!  But their weapons aren't like ours.  They're slightly more powerful.  Our shields and body armor can only take hits at a distance.  They're ineffective up close.  The most effective equipment seems to be that we purchased from The Humes."
     "Then issue all we have!"  The Emperor ordered.
      Tampon nodded and withdrew.  Wounded were brought back to the palace, and hour by hour the enemy pushed closer, though they were paying a horrible price.  Tampon came to The Emperor with another report.
     "We destroyed one of their vehicles," he announced.  "To everyone's amazement what was left of it dissolved and became some of their soldiers who were then, themselves, destroyed!  We were able to get no video of it, but all who witnessed it swear to it.  We desperately need troops to hold the palace perimeter."
     The Emperor rose, donned his protective vest, picked up his shield and his weapon.  "Let all who can stand and fight rally to the perimeter.  The palace must not fall!"
     For several more hours they fought.  The perimeter around the palace grew smaller and smaller.  Tampon, himself, had fallen a dozen or more of the attackers when they had broken through the perimeter and reached the inner circle.  They were taking another attack when the attackers suddenly came under a hail of fire.  A small ship flashed overhead, then Humes poured into the attackers.  In moments there were none left.
     "Permission to enter!" one of the Humes cried. 
     "Come and be welcomed!"  The Emperor answered.
      The Humes quickly poured in. 
     "Warlock Gerald Polley!"  their leader snapped, "Air, Land & Sea, sir!  We've cleared a route to the north.  The position is much stronger there.  If you gather your people sir, we have time to get out."
     "My most gracious compliments,"  The Emperor answered, "for your arrival, and, your assistance, Warlock!  But an Emperor does not dessert his throne.  He defends it to the death."
     The Hume nodded.  "Understood, sir!"  He turned to his people.  "Reinforce the perimeter!  This ground is not sacrificeable, it must be held!  Try to get the other units in here." He turned back to The Emperor.  "Could the non-combatants be withdrawn, sir, the women and children?  Would they not be safer at the strong point?"
     The Emperor looked thoughtful.  "The Empress is going to be furious," he finally answered, "but yes.  They certainly would be safer there.  Commander Of The Guard, gather them and see to their evacuation.  Now, young man, I believe that is the correct phrase, explain to me your presence here."
     "Not much to explain, sir!"  the Warlock answered.  "These people hit us, too, but we handled them pretty easily.  Then we noticed your colony went dead.  We could pick up none of your transmissions, and wondered if they were after you, too.   

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