"Can't. He'll resign."
"In that case, I resign."
"You aren't allowed to. The book, Military Leadership, specifically states that a Supreme Commander never resigns during hostilities. An Earthman would find the very thought inconceivable."
"All right!" Drak furiously slammed down the telephone.
The two soldiers exchanged winks.
"At attention, you two," Drak said. "You're supposed to be honor guards. Why can't you act like honor guards?"
"We haven't got weapons," one of the soldiers pointed out.
"Can't be helped. I sent what we had to the front."
"But we need them here," the soldier said earnestly. "It's bad for morale, us not having weapons, and morale is vital for victory."
Drak hated to be lectured, but he had to accept textbook truth when it was quoted at him.