u see in the Canton scheme?"

The tall man rose, bowed his head self-consciously. "Well, governor.
As we discussed before, I see two problems for the station. First, if
the tripod is indeed used as an anchor---and this seems likely---and if
the gravity beam is as strong as it must be to do this thing, then the
pull on the station itself must be tremendous. Doubtless it is well
constructed, of the hardest alloys and banding fields, for this
purpose. . .and there may be other forms of cohesion as well. But even
so, I would have to say it cannot maintain that kind of stress for
long. We are given eighty-six hours---though I must tell you that is
only an estimate, it could happen much sooner. The Cantons must also
know this. I do not think they have much longer."

"And the second?"

"The second flaw is what puzzles me, and I think that herein lies our
hope. Any gravity beam, no matter how refined, can be at least
partially disrupted by passing another object between the sending unit
and the target. This particular beam, in order to travel such a
distance and affect such a large, dense mass, is extraordinarily well
honed. The solar flares of Marcum and Lauries have been only mildly
affected. So. If we were able to pass a large mass, say an asteroid
or small moon, between the planet and the station..... During the time
of disruption, should it be successful, we would not only give the
planet time to engage her second orbit, but also send a huge projectile
plummeting directly at them. I'm sure they are prepared for this to
some degree. But a very large, solid object would be quite difficult
to destroy or turn aside. They would have no choice but to shut down
completely, and very soon afterward at that. Unfortunately, as we
discussed, there are no asteroids or other large objects, of sufficient
size, close enough at hand to be moved into position in time. Still,
something of this nature seems our only real chance."

"Thank you, Thomas."

"Then what can---what will we do?" asked many voices at once.

Dobrynin stood calm, until the murmur died away.

"We will make our own asteroid."

Silence.

"May I remind you, Governor, that you do not have the authority to
exercise such a plan without the consent of the Council?" This last
remark came from Franz Pecci, a slight, high-ranking member of the
Leadership Council whom he had never liked.

"And may I remind you, Mr. Pecci, that as governor-general of th