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‘You are ready for this.' He intentionally did not make it into a question.

‘I believe so, Mr Chairman.'

‘You must know it in your heart. No second chances.'

The Archfather squared his shoulders to pump up his presence. He had always been a good performer. ‘I have been coached mercilessly. I know my lines, and I know the consequences if I make any mistakes.' His lips curved upward around the white strands of his beard, but Basil scolded him.

‘No smiling! Not for this, and not for the foreseeable future. There can be no twinkle in your eye when you explain the root cause of this looming disaster. When we show General Lanyan's images from the raid on Pym, you must be righteously indignant, angry at this new and terrible enemy we face. Not grinning like an idiot.' Sheepish, the Archfather nodded, while Basil continued. ‘From this day forward, your responsibilities will increase tenfold. You are no longer just a fixture, but a true weapon in the cause of humanity.'

A prepped crowd had gathered in the Palace District Square. Traditionally, the Archfather spoke from the Unison temple, but Basil had decided that the Whisper Palace was the best venue. ‘Go. They are waiting for you. My deputy and I will observe from here.'

Energized by Basil's speech, the Archfather marched off, followed by attendants who continued to straighten his robes and brush at imagined specks of lint. Getting into character, he moved with a ponderous grace, using his heavy staff.

As scheduled, Deputy Cain arrived to join him. Basil nodded. ‘You're finally here. Good. I want you to hear the Archfather's words.' The Chairman took his place on the inset balcony alcove from which they could watch without being seen. The audience began to stir as the honour guard marched toward the platform, preparing the way.

The Archfather has never voiced anything but bland platitudes,‘ Cain said, looking down into the milling crowd.

‘Not today. Never again after today.'

The bearded man climbed the steps to stand on the high platform, and the crowd fell silent. The Archfather began with a traditional invocation, adding a few militaristic phrases that went beyond the usual ‘care for each other and love God'. In a booming voice, he said, ‘There is nothing more holy than a soldier fighting for a holy cause. I will tell you what we must do.' He raised his staff and lowered it again like a spear carrier thumping his weapon. The audience was fully attentive now.

Ever since General Lanyan had returned, Basil had decided to turn the failure into a crowbar. He did not allow any sanitizing of the horrific footage of Pym, insisting that the bloody deaths of EDF soldiers play without mercy. Before the surviving colonists were even cleaned up, their clothes still in tatters, their skin still smeared with alkaline dust, soldiers had recorded their grim tales of the Klikiss invasion.

The monstrous Klikiss images (originally recorded on the soldiers' suitcams) were broadcast incessantly on the newsnets.

No person could help but shudder upon seeing how the hideous insect creatures had enslaved or slaughtered the poor colonists.

‘Those monsters are a miracle in disguise--just what we needed.' Basil smiled with satisfaction. ‘It shines a whole new light on King Peter's supposed insurrection and his divisive comments. They will see Peter's ploy for what it is, juvenile politics, and they won't want any part of it. The Klikiss threat will make all loyal citizens draw together.'

‘Perhaps if you gave them another King, they would forget about Peter entirely,' Cain suggested. ‘When do you plan to introduce your new candidate? When will you show him to me?'

‘When it is time. At the moment, we need something different. Religion is the key, and for now the Archfather will fill a pivotal role.' He pointed out to the speaking podium in the Palace District Square. ‘Listen.'

The Archfather delivered his speech like a true master, full of passion and fire. The audience, already primed with fear, was moved by