"Sir," she remarked, "I'd appreciate it very much if I might be of some service to you in one of your companies. I've spoken with your wives. I plan to catch up on some other work I'm behind in to make use of some of that material my husband stored. I'd like very much, sir...." Her words trailed away. Samuel smiled.
"I understand, warlock!" he answered. "I am very honored you seek my companionship. My wives never seem happy unless the house is full of babies. One or two more won't be THAT much of a problem!"
Montague came rolling up, his aide close at hand. "We've got rather attached," Montague began. "Mind if we tag along? I'd like to build a research facility wherever you end up settling down."
Samuel nodded. Linda P. looked at the sad faced assistant and laughed. "I think it's going to be more than two or three babies!" she put in. She grinned broadly, and the assistant returned the grin.
The return to Somalia was a grand affair! They made a ceremonial landing to cheering crowds. There were banquets that went on long into the night.
Samuel was at one of these when an aide brought him a phone. "It's The First Speaker!" he cried over the din of the crowd. Samuel took the phone and found a quieter place. "Yes, First Speaker," he asked. "I thought you were in Maine, trying to solve some land dispute."
"Just leaving," The First Speaker answered. "I'm in Spirit 1 at the airport, preparing to depart for another mission. I understand Warlock Toliver contacted you about our special project, that he wants you to command base operations while he handles the training aspects, but that you turned him down."
"It sounds like an interesting project, sir," Samuel answered, "but I've really had my heart set on some construction projects. I wanted to get away from the military for awhile."
"I understand," The First Speaker answered, "but I wish you'd reconsider. I want to get this force off to a good start. I want them to have the very best and I think if you're in charge, they'll have it. It's a force that's going to be needed in the future.
You WILL be building something, Warlock, you'll be building an organization that will go on to build many other things, and to keep what has already been built from being destroyed.
I really must get going. I'm keeping some old friends waiting, but I had to get in this last call. Do reconsider warlock! 'Til we meet again!"
"'Til we meet again, sir!' Samuel answered.
The connection went dead and Samuel shut down the phone. The same aide that had brought it to him approached holding a folded sheet of paper. He held it out, his hand trembling. Samuel took it, handed him the phone, and opened the note. As he read it his eyes widened. He made his way through the happy crowd to the bandstand and took the microphone, motioning the band to stop playing. As soon as it did the crowd fell silent.
"Ladies and gentlemen," Samuel began, "I have just received the saddest news that we could hear. The First Speaker has been assassinated. All Republic's forces are to report to their ready stations to stand by in case of difficulties. I must ask that these festivities be concluded. But before we depart, band master, "The Speaker's Theme.""
The band quickly came to life, and the arena was filled with voices singing a tribute to the man who had brought the world out of darkness.
A few days later Samuel called Warlock Toliver. He said one word, "Yes!" then hung up.
A few weeks later he was on a plane landing in New York. His family had already gone on before him, and he was reporting to take command of his new base. As the plane emptied he and his son stayed on board. As it filled back up dozens of young men boarded in plain brown uniforms.
"Where are you guys off to?" the stewardess asked.
"We're recruits," the young man answered, "off to a training camp in the mid west. We're going to be part of a special new service."
"You look too old to be rookies," the stewardess remarked.
"We're not!" the young man answered. "We've all seen service. We're the very best of every service being taken to form this new one."
Samuel's son whispered in his ear. "They're your new soldiers, daddy!"
Samuel silenced him. As the plane took off the recruits continued to explain to the passengers where they would be going, and what they would be doing.
"Hey, Jack!" someone cried, "What's that unofficial anthem that's been going around, the one the marine guys started?"

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