[Transcriber's Note: This etext was produced from
Worlds of If Science Fiction, September 1961.
Extensive research did not uncover any evidence that
the U.S. copyright on this publication was renewed.]
"It is rather unusual," Magnan said, "to assign an officer of your rank
to courier duty, but this is an unusual mission."
Retief sat relaxed and said nothing. Just before the silence grew
awkward, Magnan went on.
"There are four planets in the group," he said. "Two double planets,
all rather close to an unimportant star listed as DRI-G 33987. They're
called Jorgensen's Worlds, and in themselves are of no importance
whatever. However, they lie deep in the sector into which the Soetti
have been penetrating.
"Now--" Magnan leaned forward and lowered his voice--"we have learned
that the Soetti plan a bold step forward. Since they've met no
opposition so far in their infiltration of Terrestrial space, they
intend to seize Jorgensen's Worlds by force."
Magnan leaned back, waiting for Retief's reaction. Retief drew
carefully on his cigar and looked at Magnan. Magnan frowned.
"This is open aggression, Retief," he said, "in case I haven't made
myself clear. Aggression on Terrestrial-occupied territory by an alien
species. Obviously, we can't allow it."
Magnan drew a large folder from his desk.
"A show of resistance at this point is necessary. Unfortunately,
Jorgensen's Worlds are technologically undeveloped areas. They're
farmers or traders. Their industry is limited to a minor role in
their economy--enough to support the merchant fleet, no more. The war
potential, by conventional standards, is nil."
Magnan tapped the folder before him.
"I have here," he said solemnly, "information which will change that
picture completely." He leaned back and blinked at Retief.
* * * * *
"All right, Mr. Councillor," Retief said. "I'll play along; what's in
the folder?"
Magnan spread his fingers, folded one down.
"First," he said. "The Soetti War Plan--in detail. We were fortunate
enough to make contact with a defector from a party of renegade
Terrestrials who've been advising the Soetti." He folded another
finger. "Next, a battle plan for the Jorgensen's people, worked out by
the Theory group." He wrestled a third finger down. "Lastly; an Utter
Top Secret schematic for conversion of a standard anti-acceleration
field into a potent weapon--a development our systems people have been
holding in reserve for just such a situation."
"Is that all?" Retief said. "You've still got two fingers sticking up."
Magnan looked at the fingers and put them away.
"This is no occasion for flippancy, Retief. In the wrong hands, this
information could be catastrophic. You'll memorize it before you leave
this building."
"I'll carry it, sealed," Retief said. "That way nobody can sweat it out
of me."
Magnan started to shake his head.
"Well," he said. "If it's trapped for destruction, I suppose--"
"I've heard of these Jorgensen's Worlds," Retief said. "I remember an
agent, a big blond fellow, very quick on the uptake. A wizard with
cards and dice. Never played for money, though."
"Umm," Magnan said. "Don't make the error of personalizing this
situation, Retief. Overall policy calls for a defense of these
backwater worlds. Otherwise the Corps would allow history to follow its
natural course, as always."
"When does this attack happen?"
"Less than four weeks."
"That doesn't leave me much time."
"I have your itinerary here. Your accommodations are clear as far as
Aldo Cerise. You'll have to rely on your ingenuity to get you the rest
of the way."
"That's a pretty rough trip, Mr. Councillor. Suppose I don't make it?"
Magnan looked sour. "Someone at a policy-making level has chosen to put
all our eggs in one basket, Retief. I hope their confidence in you is
not misplaced."
"This antiac conversion; how long does it take?"
"A skilled electronics crew can do the job in a matter of minutes. The
Jorgensens can handle it very nicely; every other man is a mechanic of
some sort."
Retief opened the envelope Magnan handed him and looked at the tickets
inside.
"Less than four hours to departure time," he said. "I'd better not
start any long books."
"You'd better waste no time getting over to Indoctrination," Magnan
said.