And then Dahak made the quiet electronic sound he used when a human would have cleared his throat.
“Excuse me, Colin, but I have just received a priority hypercom transmission of which I feel you should be apprised.”
“A hypercom message?” Colin raised his head with an expression of mild curiosity. “What sort of message?”
“The transmission,” Dahak said, “is from the planet Pardal.”
” ‘Pardal’?” Colin looked at Hatcher. “Gerald? You have a survey mission to someplace called ‘Pardal’?”
“Pardal?” Hatcher shook his head. “Never heard of it.”
“You sure you got that name right, Dahak?” Colin asked.
“I am.”
“Well where in the blazes is it and how come I never heard of it?”
“I am not yet certain of the answer to either of those questions, Colin. The message, however, is signed ‘Acting Governor Midshipman His Imperial Highness Sean Horus MacIntyre,’ ” Dahak replied calmly, and Jiltanith gasped as Colin jerked upright in his lounger. “It reports the successful reclamation of the populated planet Pardal for the Imperium by the crew of the sublight battleship
Colin’s head snapped around. His incredulous gaze met Jiltanith’s equally incredulous—and joyous—eyes, then swept to his friends, the friends who were coming to their feet in joy that matched his own, as Dahak paused for just a moment. Then the computer spoke again, and even Dahak’s mellow voice could not hide its vast elation.
“Will there be a reply?”
