Forman regarded him somewhat coldly. "I've been given to understand that your men have occupied the Palace of State for the purpose of thwarting a Universalist plot in which the Council itself was implicated," the Field Marshall said cautiously.
"Events have progressed swiftly," Feric said. "The filthy cabal has already been dealt with. Gelbart was a Dom; all the Councillors save myself were enmeshed in his pattern.
Gelbart's plan was to vote a ban on the SS and the Knights of the Swastika. I'm mortified to have to say that the Knight Commandant Stag Stopa was implicated in the plot. His men were to have then slain the Star Command, thus precipitating a ruinous civil war between the Sons of the Swastika and the army. The patriotic forces of Heldon would then be so decimated that the hordes of Zind could then march upon us and annihilate the true human genotype.
Naturally, when the SS uncovered this plot, I ordered my men into action at once. Gelbart was slain, and the wretched Councillors confessed."
Feric reached into a tunic pocket and withdrew a series of documents which he passed over to Forman, who accepted them without comment. "Their signed confessions may be inspected at leisure by the Star Command,"
he said. "Before' resigning, the Councillors unanimously passed a resolution suspending the constitution and grant-130
ing me the power to rule by decree. I have assumed the title of Supreme Commander of the Domain of Heldon and have appointed sturdy patriots of unquestioned loyalty to Heldon and total devotion to racial purity to the vacant Council seats. The emergency is now past."
"What of the traitors?" Forman inquired evenly.
"Stopa has yet to be dealt with," Feric said, "but my very first act as Supreme Commander of Heldon was to have the whole foul lot of Council swine shot."
For the first time, there was a modest display of emotion on the Field Marshal's face: a certain soldierly approval for a task well and smartly done. "I'm not quite sure why I'm here. Commander Jaggar," he said. "You obviously have the situation well in hand. Provided all is -as you say it is, the Star Command is ready to accept you as rightful ruler of Heldon; I say this as a representative with full plenipotentiary powers."
Feric gave Waning an approving side-glance, which Waning acknowledged with a nod; the High Commander had done his job well. Forman had the power to make a binding bargain and understood the situation precisely, so that neither party would have to resort to crudities.
"There is only one aspect of this matter that vexes the Star Command," Forman went on. "You yourself are unquestionably a man of superior quality, and we expect that as Supreme Commander of Heldon you will be far more sympathetic to the aims of the military than the late Libertarian rabble ever was. However, Tm afraid I must inform you that the Star Command considers the continued existence of a full-scale private army like the Knights totally unacceptable, and all the more so in light of the fact that its commander was engaged in a plot against Heldon. There can be only one Holder army; over this point, we are ready to fight to the death."
"Fairly spoken!" Feric replied approvingly. "Obviously, recent events have convinced me of the wisdom of such a position. The matter of Stopa and the traitors within the Knights must be dealt with in any case, and you've just suggested the proper course of action."
"Do continue," Forman said with unabashed interest.
"The Knights will be dissolved. The bulk of the men, that is to say those innocent of all wrongdoing, shall be offered enlistment in the regular army. Would you agree?"
"We can always use sturdy, well-trained lads," Forman 131
said. "I see no reason why the bulk of the Knights should be barred from military service by the perfidy of the few."
"The SS will continue to exist as an elite force," Feric said. "As you know, the genetic, intellectual, physical, and ideological standards of the SS are the highest possible.
Thus, the strength of the SS will never approach that of the army. On this, you have my sacred word."
"Accepted," Forman said simply.
"Finally, I shall appoint High Commander Waning Minister of Security Forces. Although this has traditional-ly been a civilian post, Waffing will become a Field Marshall to make it clear that the relationship between the army and the Supreme Commander will be warm and intimate."
At this, Forman finally cracked a smile. He rose to his feet. "In the name of the Star Command, I pledge our loyalty to the new Supreme Commander of Heldon." The Field Marshall clicked his heels smartly and gave the Party salute. "Hail Jaggar!" he declared.
Feric arose and returned the salute, choked with emotion. What a fine moment this was for Heldon—the Swastika and the army united at last! Together, they would sweep across the earth!
"If you wish the army to deal with Stopa and his clique, you have only to give the order," Forman said.
