He awoke the next morning to find Hull Burrel beside him. The big Antarian looked at him a little uncertainly.
“Princess Lianna suggested that I act as your aide, highness.”
Gordon felt relieved. He needed someone he could trust, and he had a strong liking for this big, bluff captain.
“Hull, that's the best idea yet. You know I've never been trained for rule. There's so much that I ought to know, and don't.”
The Antarian shook his head. “I hate to tell you, but things are piling up fast for you to decide. The envoys of the southern star-kingdoms ask another audience. Vice-commander Giron has called twice in the last hour from the fleet, to talk to you.”
Gordon tried to think, as he quickly dressed. “Hull, is Giron a good officer?”
“One of the best,” the Antarian,” said promptly. “A hard disciplinarian but a fine strategist.”
“Then,” Gordon said, “we'll leave him in command of the fleet. I'll talk to him shortly.”
He had to nerve himself for the ordeal of walking down with his new aide through the palace, of replying to bows, of playing this part of regent-ruler.
He found Tu Shal and the other star-kingdom envoys awaiting him in the little study that was the nerve-center of Empire government.
“Prince Zarth, all our kingdoms regret the dastardly attack on your brother,” said the Polarian. “But this will not prevent your demonstrating the Disruptor for us as your brother agreed?”
Gordon was appalled. In the whirl of the night's events, he had almost forgotten that promise.
He tried to evade the question. “My brother is badly stricken, as you know. He is unable to carry out his promise.”
The Hercules envoy said quickly, “But you know how to wield the Disruptor, Prince Zarth. You could carry out the demonstration.”
That was the devil of it, Gordon thought dismayedly. He didn't know the details of the Disruptor. He had learned something from Jhal Arn of how the apparatus was operated, but he still hadn't any idea of just what that mysterious, terrible force could do.
“I have heavy duties as regent of the Empire while my brother is helpless, and I may have to postpone that demonstration for a little while,” he told them.
Tu Shal's face grew grave. “Highness, you must not. I tell you that failure to give us this reassurance would strengthen the arguments of those who claim the Disruptor is too dangerous to use. It would turn the wavering parties in our kingdoms toward deserting the Empire.”
Gordon felt trapped. He couldn't let the Empire's vital allies desert. Yet how could he wield the Disruptor?
He might be able to learn more from Jhal Arn about it, he thought desperately. Enough so that he could try to wield the Disruptor in at least this demonstration?
He made his voice stern, determined. “The demonstration will be made at the first possible moment. This is all can say.”
It did not satisfy the worried envoys, he could see. They looked furtively at each other.
“I will report that to the Barons,” said the chubby envoy of Hercules Cluster. The others bowed also, and left.
Hull Burrel gave him no time to reflect on the pressure that this new complication put upon him.
“Vice-Commander Giron on the stereo now, highness Shall I put him through?”
When, a moment later, the image of the Empire naval commander appeared on the stereo-plate, Gordon saw that the towering Centaurian veteran was deeply perturbed.
“Prince Zarth, I wish first to know if I am to remain in command of the fleet or if a new commander is being sent out?”
“You're appointed full Commander, subject only to review by my brother when he resumes his duties,” Gordon said promptly.
Giron showed no elation. “I thank you, highness. But if I am to command the fleet, the situation has reached the point where I must have political information on which to base my strategic plans.”
“What do you mean? What is the situation to which you refer?” Gordon asked.
“Our long-range radar has detected very heavy fleet-movements inside the Cloud,” was the sharp answer. “At least four powerful armadas have left their bases in there and are cruising just inside the northern borders of the Cloud.”
Giron added, “This suggests strongly that the League of Dark Worlds is planning a surprise attack on us in at least two different directions. In view of that possibility, it is imperative that I make my own fleet dispositions quickly.” He flashed on the familiar stereo-map of the galaxy's great swarm of stars, with its zones of colored light that represented the Mid-Galactic Empire and the star-kingdoms, “I've got my main forces strung in three divisions on a line here between Rigel and Orion Nebula, each division self-sufficient in battleships, cruisers, phantoms-and so on. The Fomalhaut contingent is incorporated in our first division.
“This is our prearranged defense plan, but it counts on the Hercules Barons' and the Polaris Kingdom's fleets resisting any attempt to invade through their realms. It also counts on the Lyra, Cygnus and Cassiopeia fleets joining us immediately when we flash the “ready" signal. But are they going to fulfill their engagements? I must know if the allied Kingdoms are going to stand with us, before I make my dispositions.”
Gordon realized the tremendous gravity of the problem that faced Commander Giron far away in that southern void.
“Then you have already sent the “ready” signal to the allied Kingdoms?” he asked.
“I took that responsibility two hours ago, in view of the alarming League fleet movements inside the Cloud,” was Giron's curt answer. “So far, I have had no reply from the star-kingdoms.”
Gordon sensed the crucial nature of the moment. “Give me twenty-four more hours, Commander,” he asked desperately. “I'll try in that time to get positive commitments from the Barons and the Kingdoms.”
“In the meantime, our position here is vulnerable,” rasped the Commander. “I suggest that until we are certain of the Kingdoms' allegiance, we should shift our main forces westward toward Rigel to be in position to counter any stroke through Hercules and Polaris.”
Gordon nodded quickly. “I leave that decision entirely in your hands. I'll contact you the moment that I have positive news.”
Hull Burrel looked at him soberly, as the image of the Commander saluted and vanished.
“Prince Zarth, you'll not get the Kingdoms to stand by their alliance unless you prove to them we can wield the Disruptor!”
“I know,” Gordon muttered. He came to a decision. “I'm going to see if my brother can talk to me.”
He realized now that as the Antarian had said, only a clear demonstration of the Disruptor would hold the wavering Kingdoms.
Could he dare try to wield that mysterious force? He knew something of its operations from what Jhal Arn had explained, but that something was not enough. If he could only learn more.
The physicians were worried and discouraging when he went to Jhal Arn's apartments.
“Prince Zarth, he's under drugs and is not able to talk to anyone. It would strain his strength-”
“I must see him!” Gordon insisted. “The situation demands it.”
He finally had his way but they warned him, “A few minutes is all we can allow, or we must reject all responsibility for whatever may happen.”
Jhal Arn opened drugged, hazed eyes when Gordon bent over him. It took him moments to realize what Gordon was saying.
“Jhal, you must try to understand and answer me!” Gordon begged. “I've got to know more about the operation of the Disruptor. You know I told you how Shorr Kan's brain-scanner made me forget.”
Jhal Arn's voice was a drowsy murmur. “Strange, it made you forget like that. I thought none of us would ever forget, the way every detail was drilled into us when we were boys.”