He wandered back to his desk and slumped behind it gloomily. He couldn’t backwater now, his pride was at stake. He glanced at the water clock on his desk, and then rose reluctantly and started toward the door. It was time to get into battle armor and get ready for the inspection.
As he reached the door, there was a sudden slap of running sandals down the hall. A second later, Major Kane burst into the office, his face white and terrified.
“Colonel,” he gasped, “the I.G.’s here!”
“Nonsense,” said Blick. “I’m the I.G. now!”
“Oh yeah?” whimpered Kane. “Go look out the window. He’s here, and he’s brought the whole Imperial fleet with him!”
Blick dashed to the window and looked up. High above, so high that he could see them only as silver specks, hung hundreds of ships.
“Headquarters does exist!” he gasped.
He stood stunned. What to do… what to do… what to do— The question swirled around in his brain until he was dizzy. He looked to Kane for advice, but the other was as bewildered as he was.
“Don’t stand there, man,” he stormed. “Do something!”
“Yes, sir,” said Kane. “What?”