Grant nodded. "Enter the soldier who enforced the Laws of War. He's married to the princess and commands the only army around-what's your real stake here, John Christian?"
Falkenberg shrugged. "Maybe the princess won't leave the kingdom. Anyway. Lermontov's trying to keep the balance of power. God knows, somebody's got to. Fine. The Grand Admiral looks ahead ten years-but I'm not sure the CoDominium's going to last ten years, Johnny."
Grant slowly nodded agreement. His voice fell and took on a note of awe. "Neither am I. It's worse just in the last few weeks-one thing, the Grand Senators are trying to hold it together, John. They've given up the Russki-American fights to stand together against their own governments. Some of them, anyway."
"Can they do it?"
"I wish I knew." Grant shook his head in bewilderment. "I always thought the CoDominium was_the one stable thing on old Earth," he said wonderingly. "Now it's all we can do to hold it together-the nationalists keep winning, John, and nobody knows how to stop them." He drained his glass. "The old man will be sorry to lose you:"
Falkenberg nodded agreement. "But there's worse places to be-do me a favor, Johnny. When you get back to Luna Base, ask the admiral to see that all copies of that New Washington mineral survey are destroyed, will you? I'd hate for somebody to learn there really is something here worth grabbing. If things break up around Earth we won't have any fleet protection at all. On the other hand, if you need a safe base some day, we'll be here. Tell the old man that too."
"Sure." Grant gave Falkenberg a twisted grin. "King John First-what kind of government will you set up, anyway?"
"Hadn't thought. Myths change, maybe we're ready for monarchy again. We'll think of something."
"Yeah." Grant filled their glasses again and stood. "One last, eh? To the CoDominium."
They drank the toast while below them New Washington turned, and a hundred parsecs away Earth armed for her last battle.