Kaliz barked at him: "Well, Ezial? Vote!"
Ezial said, "I abstain."
Deadlock.
Don was sweating. He looked at the others in the room. They were tense but silent, apparently willing to leave it up to Don and his link with the Defense Department.
Frank Fogarty's voice said:
"SAC has been airborne in total strength for half an hour, General. It was a purely precautionary alert at the time."
Don started to interrupt.
"I know they hear me," the Secretary of Defense said. "I intend that they should. We don't want to fight but we will if we must. Son ..." The rough voice faltered for a moment. "If necessary, we'll destroy Superior to kill this alien and save New York. As a soldier, I hope you understand. It's the lives of three thousand people against the lives of eight million."
Only Don and the Gizl had heard. Don looked across the room and into Alis' eyes. She gave him a tentative smile, noting his grave expression.
"Yes, sir," Don said finally.