An astonishing story," Bomfils said. "I regret to say that I do not believe it. - John Jakes

The syndicated journalist?"
"The syndicated muckraker would be more like it," Dr. Walker said. "Mister Sensationalism. Specialist in the exposé. Long on headlines, short on facts.

He saw it all summed up in the blind marching of that nameless unit. A vision of gaunt shapes, sharp shiny steel, dim lamps flaring in the rain. The war machine was rolling.

Oh, a few temple priests have been predicting dire things in an effort to improve public morals, but no one takes them seriously.