"What now?" Beliakoff asked, in the corridor. "Do you think she'll stop the war?"
Nob shrugged his shoulders. "Who knows? It's a problem without a solution."
"But she has to make up her mind," Kelly said. "That's one of the duties of authority."
"The Empress is aware of that. And she will make up her mind, though it could take a year or more. Unless she fails completely under the strain."
"Poor kid," Kelly said. "She needs a man to help her out."
"Indeed she does," Nob agreed hastily. "A strong man, a wise man, a man who could guide her and be as adviser and husband to her."
Kelly blinked, then laughed nervously. "Don't look at me! I mean she's a cute kid, nice girl, make some man a wonderful wife, but I'm not the marrying kind, you know what I mean?"
"Johnny," said Beliakoff, "I'd like to have a serious talk with you."
Nob led them to a vacant room and left discreetly.
"I won't do it!" Kelly declared bluntly.