? What are your alternatives?" Hulse had gone gray in the
face, but he still spoke stoutly.

Blades grinned at him. "None whatsoever. We've burned our bridges. We
can't do anything about those scoopships now, so it's no use trying to
scare us or arrest us or whatever else may occur to you. What we've
done is establish an automatic deterrent."

"Against an, an attempt ... at sabotage ... that only exists in your
imagination!"

Blades shrugged. "That argument isn't relevant any longer. I do
believe the missile was released deliberately. We wouldn't have done
what we did otherwise. But there's no longer any point in making
charges and denials. You'd just better retrieve the thing."

Hulse squared his shoulders. "How do I know you're telling the truth?"

"Well, you can send a man to the Station. He'll find the scooters
lying gutted. Send another man over here to the _Pallas_. He'll find
the scoopships gone. I also took a few photographs of the autopilots
being installed and the ships being cast adrift. Go right ahead.
However, may I remind you that the fewer people who have an inkling of
this little intrigue, the better for all concerned."

Hulse opened his mouth, shut it again, stared from side to side, and
finally slumped the barest bit. "Very well," he said, biting off the
words syllable by syllable. "I can't risk a ship of the line. Of
course, since the rogue is still farther away than your deterrent
allows the _Altair_ to go, we shall have to wait in space a while."

"I don't mind."

"I shall report the full story to my superiors at home ... but
unofficially."

"Good. I'd like them to know that we asterites have teeth."

"Signing off, then."

Chung stirred. "Wait a bit," he said. "We have one of your people
aboard, Lieutenant Ziska. Can you send a gig for her?"

"She didn't collaborate with us," Blades added. "You can see the
evidence of her loyalty, all over my mug."

"Good girl!" Hulse exclaimed savagely. "Yes, I'll send a boat. Signing
off."

* * * * *

The screen blanked. Chung and Blades let out a long, ragged breath.
They sat a while trembling before Chung muttered, "That skunk as good
as admitted everything."

"Sure," said Blades, "But we won't have any more trouble from him."

Chung stubbed out his cigarette. Poise was returning to both men.
"There could be other attempts, though, in the next few years." He
scowled. "I think we should arm the Station. A coupl