A movement at the corner of his eye caught Anketam's attention. He turned his head to look. Then he spun on his heel and went into the hut.
"Lady Samas," he said quickly, "they're coming. There's a ground-car coming down the road with four Invaders in it."
Lady Samas looked up at him, her fine old face calm and emotionless. "Let them come," she said. "We can't stop them, Anketam. And we have nothing to lose."
Three minutes later, the ground-car pulled up in front of the hut. Anketam watched silently as one of the men got out. The other three stayed in the car, their handguns ready.
The officer, very tall and straight in his blue uniform, strode up to the door of the hut. He stopped and addressed Anketam. "I understand Lady Samas is living here."
"That's right," Anketam said.
"Would you tell her that Colonel Fayder would like to speak to her."
Before Anketam could say anything, Lady Samas spoke. "Tell the colonel to come in, Anketam."
Anketam stepped aside to let the officer enter.
"Lady Samas?" he asked.