He turned back to the General. "All right, General. Here's our offer. One time only, special good deal. First, you pull all your forces out of Gorby and Nirvana. You're going to need them in the colony anyway.
"Second, you immediately release King Karel, reinstate his guardsmen, and pull your own people out of the palace and out of King's Town. This is to be confirmed by ultracom contact with King Karel himself.
"Third, you release King Karel's heir, young Ulrik, and send him back to King's Town. Again, this will be confirmed by ultracom with Ulrik.
"Finally, you will rescind martial law in the colony, and surrender final authority to the Colony Council. This also to be confirmed by ultracom. We will, of course, make certain they are aware of the threat, remind them that you are the best military leader they have, and strongly recommend you retain authority over both your militia and the original colony militia, which you will rearm.
"In other words, General, you pull back to the colony you have sworn to protect and should never have left and resume your original position as its protector.
"In return, we will provide orbital and space-bound surveillance to scan for threats, we will call off our snipers and all other offensive operations, and all of our resources will be available for defense of the colony.
"We do not expect you to allow militia from the kingdoms into the colony, and in fact we won't station them near the river or the bridge. But we will monitor closely, and if you need help, we'll be available to ride to the rescue. Once the threat of attack has passed, the colony's relations with the kings will be up to the Colony Council, of course.
"We look forward to hearing from King Karel within the next 24 hours."
The General frowned. "That's not much time. I can't pull all my forces back that quickly. Thanks to you, all I have is some hovertrucks – and we have plans for one of those tomorrow."
Zant grinned. "We don't expect you to complete the pullback that soon, and to be honest, we don't expect an attack for at least two or three weeks. What we do expect is that King Karel and Ulrik will be released, and that martial law will be rescinded.
He shrugged. "If you want some advice, I'd rescind martial law first, so the colony has a civilian leader. Then you can load your new leader and Ulrik into a hovertruck and send them to King's Town. Let King Karel see that the colony leader personally released him and reinstated his guard. Maybe there won't be quite as many hard feelings that way. And if I were you, I wouldn't go along. In fact, I'd hunker down in the colony and not give Karel or his men a shot at you."
"Very well," the General replied, "but King Karel's guardsmen were replaced some time ago. I'm not sure we can locate all of them.
Zant's jaunty grin was back. "Don't worry about that, General. I think we can find most of them within 24 hours."
The General's eyes closed for a few seconds, and his face took on a resigned expression. Finally he opened them and straightened. "Very well, Jenfu. Your terms are accepted." He reached out and cut off contact.
********
Tran was the youngest of the chiefs. He had been appointed less than two months before the disastrous Treaty trade where the star men had destroyed the spirit of the Free People. His chest had swelled with pride when he'd been appointed chief when old Jir had gone to the ancestors. He'd anticipated many years of leading his proud people on their migrations and on raids against the Despoilers. He had even anticipated a campaign to get the Free People to explore new lands, perhaps the Cursed Lands. The star men had lifted the curse on the land, and the Free People had even launched a scouting raid against the star men's village. Only three of the raiders had returned, but they had hurt the star men, killed nearly a dozen and burned two of their tents. Tran had been sure his camp would lead in exploring the formerly forbidden lands for the Free People, once the star men were killed.
But now, the world was turned upside down. Yes, they would continue to migrate, but now, they were moving on the orders of the star men. A renewed anger surged in his chest. They were being forced to obey the star men! The Free Men! Ordered about like livestock! And then the final insult: the star men had offered to help them on their journey. To guide them, as though they were children who could not find their own water and game.
He had argued for days and had been joined by Forn, but when the final vote was taken, it had been decided that the Free People would retreat from the kingdoms, and explore new lands. Explore new lands! The phrase now had a foul taste in his mouth. They meant 'run like whipped canines', without courage or pride!
He frowned. There was something . . . something in his own thoughts. He reviewed them. There! The star men had offered to scout for them, and even provide pictures as though seen from the sky! That was it! The star men could see from above. They could see the Free People. Watch them!
He quickened his pace. He must tell Forn! They had been planning a final raid on the star men, to show them that the Free People were not cattle to be herded. After the Treaty trade, it seemed obvious that none of the raiders would return. It had been decided that he, Tran, would have the honor of leading the raid. He regretted that he would not have the glorious future of which he had dreamed. But the Star Men would know that they must respect the Free People!
Still, this new information would change their plans. They would somehow have to conceal their preparations from the star men. They must be stealthy, as though approaching a herd of wild dinos. But this time they must conceal all their preparations, from leaving the Free Peoples' camp until the actual raid. Ha! He knew their secret! The star men had killed the pride of the Free People; now they would kill them back!
********
Zant called Donord, and briefed him on Ochoa-Mariden's offer.
"And you believe him?" Donord demanded. "You believe this man who has stolen the crown of good King Karel and enslaved our people?"
Zant nodded. "Yes, I believe him. He is an honorable man, though his code of honor is different from yours. He was as angered and disgusted by the attack on Blue-eye as we were. He hopes she will be able to identify the man that attacked her. If she can, he will be tried and executed. The General promised to trigger the blaster himself. We've won, Donord, and the General will honor the conditions of his surrender." He explained the terms.
"By tomorrow, King Karel will be back on his throne with young Ulrik at his side, and his own loyal guardsmen instead of star men who do not obey him. By the way, you should try to round up as many of the old guardsmen as you can by tomorrow. King Karel will have need of them when the star men leave.
"Anyway," he continued, "The General is sending one the colony's hovertrucks to pick up Blue-eye and two male escorts, and take them to the colony. He has promised that she will be treated by the star healers. She will be healed within hours, and she will bear no scars from the attack."
"There will be scars," Donord said darkly.
Zant nodded. "Yes, there will. But the star healers also have counselors trained to help heal the mind and spirit as well as the body. Star men consider that a part of the healing process. I promise, Donord. She will be given healing treatment to the limits of star technology. Star men have no more love of rapists than do the people of Jumbo."
He straightened. "Nine of the morning. Dee has her wrist comp; she can tell you when that is. And Donord," he added. "Wear your old leg. Your new one would be a giveaway that you are our agent in King's Town. Choose one of the old guardsmen to accompany you, if you wish. I wouldn't choose the Captain or Sergeant of the Guard, though," he said, grinning. "I think they'll be busy moving back into the palace."