Richard continued. “We all expected that our three Starmen would be back with us in two days for the Reception of Honor. That will have to be postponed. Most of you know at least something of the reason why, but this urgent meeting was called to make sure that everyone is brought up to date and, more importantly, to take counsel on a course of action.” Richard summed up what had been learned about the pirates after the liberation of Mars up to the point of the Starmen’s departure from Oritz Konig’s office. “Our conclusion is that, although we have 542 men in custody in Eagle City, including their captain Troy Putnam, several dozen pirates are still free. It would have taken a large facility to prepare the ships and house the men used in the assault on Mars, and it is virtually certain that a sufficient force for maintaining this operation was left at their base. We believe that this was probably a minimal number, but there may have been pirates in other locations in the Asteroid Belt or elsewhere. Moreover, as you know, one ship managed to escape from Mars during the liberation. Oritz Konig, now on special assignment at Mars Base, will make a report on what we’ve learned about Putnam’s chief assistant, Lurton Zimbardo.” By pre-recorded videotape, SE’s Chief of Security presented a brief report, similar to that which he had given to the Starmen. At its conclusion, Richard continued. “Since the ship that escaped headed recklessly at its highest velocity toward a certain area of the Belt, we can reasonably assume that the pirates’ base is situated on an asteroid not far from that area.” Nolan asked, “Why were the ships from Space Command not able to find this asteroid, or any trace of the pirates?” Robert Nolan was a man of early middle age, slight of build, with thinning hair. He was noted for his analytical mind and incisive decisions. His hard work over a twenty-year span had built a small company into an influential corporation, and his achievements had brought him respect throughout the Inner Planetary system. “This is what we are gathered here to reveal,” Richard answered. “I’m afraid the news is quite disturbing. Steve Cliff will give us his report.” By videotape, Steve Cliff reported what he had seen in the area of Z25. He concluded, “So it is obvious that the pirates have a very effective radar bender. Their ships are, in effect, invisible to our standard radar detection systems.” When Steve’s report was over, Richard added, “Steve Cliff was immensely helpful when we sent the two Starmen to Mars. He did us another favor by following them as far as Z25 when he preferred to return to Earth. He is on his way back to Earth now. Oritz asked him to keep an eye on the Starmen for their own safety, and as you can tell from his report it was a very good thing indeed that he did!” The men at the table looked grim. The fathers of the Starmen wore especially troubled expressions.