The adviser directed the Emperor's attention to a space globe suspended from the ceiling. He pressed two buttons on the wall and twin beams of light intersected within the sphere. "That's McWorther's location."
"Why—why—" the Emperor stammered. "That outflanks us completely!"
"What concerns me is how many other undisclosed but settled worlds lie in that same general area."
"A whole raft of them, no doubt," the Emperor said pessimistically.
"What are we going to do?"
"In this critical sector we've got to make friends—and fast! We'll begin with the McWorther place."
"How far do you want to go?"
"All the way. Empty the surplus bins. Clear out the warehouses. Let McWorther have every available pound of material and equipment."
"Terms?"
"Terms be damned! We let the Western Cluster steal a march on us. We've got to recoup. Everything goes as an outright gift—with all the cultural trimmings thrown in."