"But the high commissioner...." Jarl gestured, stumbled. "Why would he aid the outlaw worlds--?" And then, in sudden panic, whirling: "Quick--! The Federation fleet--it's headed down for Ceres! We've got to stop them! It may already be too late!" But Wassreck's voice said, "No, Jarl." It was flat this time, no longer gentle. * * * * * Slowly, slowly Jarl turned from the scanner, with its clustered, crawling pinpoints. A seeping emptiness was rising in him--an ugly, hollow feeling he'd never felt before. Wassreck still stood in the same spot as before. But now, his right hand was at waist-level. It held a blaster. In a voice not even remotely resembling his own, Jarl asked, "What do you mean?" Wassreck's eyes were burning coals. His gaunt face seemed even thinner than before. He said: "I mean the outlaw worlds must die!" Jarl nodded slowly. "I guessed that would be it." "Don't you see, Jarl--?" Sais cried, coming to him. "The raiders will never lose their idiot dreams of freedom! Always, everywhere, they'll make trouble! It would be madness to leave them with Ceresta and their fleet. The Federation planets know what it means to bow before a ruler--" Wordless, Jarl looked down at her. Hand on his arm, she rushed on--glowing, eager: "At first my father thought of you as dangerous. But always, I've loved you. That's why I came to you on Ceres, saying he was captured--so that you would prove your loyalty to him. Now, he knows; and the two of you can rule together. You and I--we'll have each other...." She pressed against Jarl--body warm, hair soft and fragrant. Wassreck broke in: "Jarl, you saw what happened today when I tried out that robot on Bor Legat's ships! And once the raider fleet is smashed, there'll be no opposition." The numb emptiness filled Jarl to overflowing. "And if I say no--?" He could see the other stiffen. "Is there a choice?" Wassreck's laugh was suddenly savage. "Your ray-gun's down, and my blaster's on you. Even if you could kill me, the crew knows you're here; they'd be waiting for you." And Sais whispered, "Jarl, why should you die for nothing? What can it gain you, or anyone else?" Her cool fingers caressed him. "Jarl, don't you understand? I love you! I want us to be together, now and forever...." Jarl stood very still. * * * * * How many nights had he lain in a chill, lonely bunk far out in space, and dreamed of Sais beside him? How many times had he cursed the raider way, the blood and iron, and longed instead for power and booty? Now he could have those things. What made him hang back? Why did he hesitate? Why indeed, when refusal meant death without gain, without meaning? Only then he thought of other things, and pain came in a rush to fill the emptiness. For he thought of those who lived, and those who'd died, whether they lived or died for good or evil. Of Bor Legat and Ungo, Tas Karrel and Ylana, a thousand fallen crewmen.