Chapter 16 Rocossov Forges Ahead

United Kingdom, Prime Minister's Residence.

Leonard was pacing back and forth in the office when the private secretary opened the door and came in:

"The Plathen Emperor has just issued a public telegram."

Leonard shivered: "He's not going to surrender, is he?"

"No. He's inviting Rocossov to a one-on-one duel under fair terms."

Leonard opened his mouth wide, staring at the private secretary, unable to speak for a long while.

Private Secretary: "That's really what his telegram said."

Leonard, puffing on his pipe, paced around the room in circles before asking the MI6 director present in the room: "Is the Plathen Emperor out of his mind?"

Sir Cumming from MI6 nodded: "It's possible. Considering some suspicious reports recently, it's likely he's been triggered by something."

Leonard: "Suspicious reports?"

"There have been successive mutinies among Prosen troops, abandoning their positions and heading to designated locations by the Anteans to surrender their weapons."