system, and work our way in in the planet's
shadow. As long as that thing stays where it is we should be able to
get into orbit without it detecting us.
59 When we're in position, Gray Mountain will move in to draw its
attention, we'll come around planet, and attack it from both sides.
We've got constant telemetry from our scouts, but it's blind. Maybe we
can take it by surprise, and destroy it the first pass. If we don't we
perform a breaking maneuver, come back at it from the same direction.
It'll think I'm the greatest threat, and concentrate its fire on where
I'm coming from.
60 This time around I'll release the scout and push it out in front of
me on a hauling beam. When it vaporizes it, it may think that was the
extent of the attack, that we were trying to ram. But I'll keep coming
through the cutter's fireball. By the time I come out, I'll be right on
top of it, give it everything I've got, wide beam, point blank.
Vaporize it, and go through the fireball. If I'm in trouble, you'll be
handy to pick me up on the other side."
61 Morn jumped to his feet. "There won't be anything to pick up on the
other side, and you know it!" he screamed. "You will have to pass
through two fireballs in rapid succession. You'll never make it! Your
shields will never hold. It's suicide, North, and you know it! You have
one chance in a million. It's not worth the price. I forbid
it!"
62 "But IT WILL WORK!" North screamed, "I KNOW it will work! And it's
the only chance we've got! No help will get here in time. It's up to
us. It's us or nothing, and you know it. Will it work, or won't it?"
63 "It WILL work, dammit!" screamed Morn, "But I'm not going to send my
best friend to certain death. I'LL take the cutter, I'LL lead the
attack!"
64 This time North was on his feet. "It is the right of an Officer that
comes up with a plan, to carry