"What I now say to you, Brad, puts my life in your hands, but say it I must." He paused, as if to gather strength and conviction, and to organize his thoughts. "I believe that Narval is deranged. He would rather see the Solar System's civilization's grovel in the dust than have them advance, even survive, without him as their ruler." "Are you suggesting he be stopped?" "He must be." "How?" "I hoped you would know." "Me? Why me?" "You've become the authority on the capabilities and tactics of this operation. The Plutonian military Commanders respect you as a leader and as a professional, as do the Commanders of the ships soon to join us. Need I say more?" Brad turned to face Drummer. "How far do you commit yourself?" "My life." "It will take that, and more." "What do you mean?" "Betrayal strips men of -- I believe the word is -- honor. Would you accept being a traitor to President Narval?" "If it will bring an end to this madness." "Are you willing to follow my orders -- without question?" "To what purpose?" "Your words: the end of this madness." "Define your terms, man. Tell me in your words, not mine, to what end I commit my life, and as you put it, my honor." "Confusion and disruption throughout the combined fleet, destruction of Plutonian warships and, possibly, those of all INOR; no assault on the Terminals and, ultimately, removal of Narval from any position of authority in the Outer Region." Drummer nodded slowly. "I commit myself to that purpose. And yourself?" "Committed." A knock on the door. The crewman peered in. "Comm-center has a classified Category One spunnel message for you, Admiral Drummer," he said. "It's in the President's personal code, sir, to which only you have the keys. Have I your permission to pick up the message and bring it to you?" "Never mind," Drummer replied. "We're heading back under the dome. I'll get it." ## Drummer read again the message he had decoded and handed it to Brad who quickly scanned and silently returned it. Drummer glanced at the message again and placed it slowly in the middle of his desk. The communication bore the dispatch symbols of the Revenge within the past hour. The text was brief: "Narval to Drummer. We have left the spunnel node nearest the conference site, now two hours distant. Your launch at target must be consistent with the conference schedule just provided to me by the Conference Controller. "Based on conference agenda and schedule I order you to energize the communications barrier immediately upon receipt of this message. Further, I order you to have allegiance sworn to me by Commanders of all INOR ships' officers and the Director of the Slingshot Construction Site not more than four hours following receipt this message. Spunnel flash to me through the barrier 'mind only' immediately upon taking the objective. Spunnel flash immediately to me your understanding of this order." Chapter THIRTY-EIGHT