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"Yeah, and even if Ferhat believes us, he needs proof. They could never convict on what we can give them, and I doubt even O Branch would sanction a black operation against a sector governor."
"Agreed. And that, Little One, is why my promises to you may stand meaningless in the end. I see only one way to destroy this traitor."
"Us," Alicia said grimly.
"Indeed."
"Now wait a darn minute! Do you two actually think we can get to a sector governor? What do you want to do, nuke the damned planet?!"
"It will not be necessary. Treadwell dislikes planets. His quarters are aboard Orbit One."
"Oh, ducky! So all we have to do is fight our way in and punch out a six million-to
"Are you saying you can't do it?" Alicia tried to make her voice light. "What happened to all that cheerful egotism when we busted out?"
"Out is easier than in," Megarea said grimly, "and you know damned well they'll have reworked their systems since, just in case we come back."
"So we can't get in?"
"I didn't say that," Megarea replied unwillingly. "I'll know better when I finish repairs— remember, that battle-cruiser shot the hell out of me—but, yeah, I imagine we can get in. Only, if we do, I don't think we'll get out again, and I doubt anything I ever had was heavy enough to take out that fort. I certainly don't have anything left that could do the job."
"Oh yes, you do," Alicia said very softly. "The same thing that could have taken out Procyon."
"Ram it?" There was less shock in the AI's voice than there should have been, Alicia thought sadly. Like her, Megarea saw it as the possible answer to her fear of what she might become. "I think we could do it," Megarea said at last, slowly. "But there are nine thousand other people on that fort, Alley."
"I know.' Alicia frowned down at her hands and her shoulders hunched against the ice of her own words. "I know," she whispered.