"Forgive my lack of frankness," Gizl said. "Alis," he said, bowing slightly. "Your Majesty."
"Frankly," Hector said, "I'm thinking of abdicating. I don't think I like being a figurehead. Not when everybody knows about it, anyhow."
"Major Cort," Gizl said.
Don looked startled. "What? How did you know?"
"We have excellent communications. We thank your military for its assistance with the submarine."
"A pleasure. And we thank you and your people for saving us when we went flying."
"Mutuality of effort," Gizl said. "I'll admit a dilemma ensued when the submarine attacked. But our obligation to safeguard human lives outweighed the other alternative—escape to the safety of space. Now suppose we have our conference. You, Major, represent Earth. I, Rezar, represent the survivors of Gorel-zed. Agreed?"
"Rezar?" Don said. "I thought your name was Gizl. And what's Gorel-zed?"
"Little Marie Bendy called me Gizl," Rezar said. "She couldn't pronounce Gorel-zed. I'm afraid I haven't been entirely candid with you about a number of things. But I think I know you better now. I heard your conversation with Foghorn Frank."
Don smiled. "Do you mean you've been listening in ever since I strapped on the transceiver?"