Jim Franklen remembered that ringing order many times in the following days. "Go out and stop that war!" was his order, and he was hoping he could. There was little real saber-rattling, but only a slow spread of the Central Power's influence that was conducted in a quiet fashion.
He read the previous reports several times, and analyzed them carefully. There was one more thing, a direct, personal, man-to-man warning that could be tried and must be tried before he moved. This act must also be publicized so that his following moves would be greeted with the proper attitude. The public must know that his course met with their approval.
This brought him to the government of the Central Power, where he was first stopped by an undersecretary.
"You may state your business," said the underling with all the authority of bureaucracy.
"I'm special representative of the United Nations Weapon Council," said Franklen, "and request audience with your state head, the Commissario Hohmann."
"You may state your business to me," said the underling.
"I'll state it to Hohmann himself," snapped Franklen quickly. "And he'll right well see me, too!"
"I'll inquire," said the undersecretary.
"You'd better."