"Tonight?" asked Dirk Morris. "You're sure, Neil?"
"This very night," swore Neil Hardesty. "At the Palace Royal. I got
it on the highest authority. From one of the Imperial Guard, recently
converted to our Cause. A grand meeting of the Emperor's strategy
Council, summoned to discuss ways and means--" He grinned--"of
apprehending the Galactic Ghost."
Dirk Morris smiled, too, though his features were invisible to his
friend.
"The Ghost," he promised, "will attend the Council meeting. Neil, send
out a hurried summons to all the Group. Tonight may be the night for
which we have waited and planned. The situation has finally turned
to our advantage. This is the setting we needed to strike our final,
and heaviest, blow. A gathering of all Graed Garroway's most trusted
lieutenants! What better time to bring an abrupt end to his tyranny?"
"Destruction?" asked Brian Shaughnessey. "You plan to kill them all,
Dirk?"
"That is not the best way. Killing would immortalize Garroway and--in
the minds of many misguided people--forever brand the Galactic Ghost as
an outlaw and murderer. No ... I will not destroy the Overlord. I will
make him appear ignominious in the eyes of his subjects ... prove to
all men that his vaunted powers are weak and futile. There is no weapon
so strong as mirth, no blade so keen as scorn."
Vurrth grunted heavily. "Maybe better you kill, Dirk. No trust
Overlord."
"My plans have been successful thus far," pointed out the Voice of
Conscience. "Play along with me a little farther. I think the end is in
sight. Neil ... be ready to send your forces into the Palace the moment
I give the signal."
"Right!"
"And you, Brian ... see that the audiocast stations are controlled by
us in time to speed word to the populace that the Emperor has been
taken."
"Right, Dirk."
"And you, Vurrth--"
"Me be on hand," growled Vurrth, "to watch Overlord. No like this."