Greylorn | Page 3

10,000 colonists to approximately 40,000 within
twenty years, after which the rate of increase would of course rapidly
grow. Assuming sixty years for planetfall, the population should now
number over one hundred sixty millions. Given population, all else
follows."
Two hours later, the World Secretary summed up. "Ladies and
gentlemen, we have the facts before us. There still exist differences in
interpretation, which however will not be resolved by continued
repetition. I now call for a vote on the resolution proposed by the
Military Member and presented by Commander Greylorn."
There was silence in the Council Chamber as the votes were recorded
and tabulated. Then the World Secretary sighed softly.

"Commander," he said, "the Council has approved the resolution. I'm
sure that there will be general agreement that you will be placed at the
head of the project, since you were director of the team which
developed the new drive and are also the author of the plan. I wish you
the best of luck." He rose and extended his hand.
The first keel plate of the Armed Courier Vessel Galahad was laid
thirty-two hours later.
CHAPTER 1
I expected trouble when I left the bridge. The tension that had been
building for many weeks was ready for release in violence. The ship
was silent as I moved along the passageway. Oddly silent, I thought;
something was brewing.
I stopped before the door of my cabin, listening; then I put my ear to
the wall. I caught the faintest of sounds from within; a muffled click,
voices. Someone was inside, someone attempting to be very quiet. I
was not overly surprised. Sooner or later the trouble had had to come
into the open. I looked up the passage, dim in the green glow of the
nightlights. There was no one in sight.
I listened. There were three voices, too faint to identify. The clever
thing for me to do now would be to walk back up to the bridge, and
order the Provost Marshall to clear my cabin, but I had an intuitive
feeling that that was not the way to handle the situation. It would make
things much simpler all around if I could push through this with as little
commotion as possible.
There was no point in waiting. I took out my key and placed it
soundlessly in the slot. As the door slid back I stepped briskly into the
room. Kramer, the Medical Officer, and Joyce, Assistant
Communications Officer, stood awkwardly, surprised. Fine, the Supply
Officer, was sprawled on my bunk. He sat up quickly.
They were a choice selection. Two of them were wearing sidearms. I
wondered if they were ready to use them, or if they knew just how far

they were prepared to go. My task would be to keep them from finding
out.
I avoided looking surprised. "Good evening, gentlemen," I said
cheerfully. I stepped to the liquor cabinet, opened it, poured Scotch into
a glass. "Join me in a drink?" I said.
None of them answered. I sat down. I had to move just a little faster
than they did, and by holding the initiative, keep them off balance.
They had counted on hearing my approach, having a few moments to
get set, and using my surprise against me. I had reversed their play and
taken the advantage. How long I could keep it depended on how well I
played my few cards. I plunged ahead, as I saw Kramer take a breath
and wrinkle his brow, about to make his pitch.
"The men need a change, a break in the monotony," I said. "I've been
considering a number of possibilities." I fixed my eyes on Fine as I
talked. He sat stiffly on the edge of my bunk. Already he was regretting
his boldness in presuming to rumple the Captain's bed.
"It might be a good bit of drill to set up a few live missile runs on
random targets," I said. "There's also the possibility of setting up a
small arms range and qualifying all hands." I switched my eyes to
Kramer. Fine was sorry he'd come, and Joyce wouldn't take the
initiative; Kramer was my problem. "I see you have your Mark 9,
Major," I said, holding out my hand. "May I see it?" I smiled
pleasantly.
I hoped I had hit him quickly and smoothly enough, before he had had
time to adjust to the situation. Even for a hard operator like Kramer, it
took mental preparation to openly defy his Commander, particularly in
casual conversation. But possession of the weapon was more than
casual....
I looked at him, smiling, my hand held out. He wasn't ready; he pulled
the pistol from its case, handed it to me.
I flipped the chamber open, glanced at the charge indicator, checked the

action.