63.
can get help. All we need is a weekend away from The Academy."
"I don't know," Morn told him, "a vengeance is illegal, North. If we're caught, it will be serious trouble. This isn't a child's game. It's pretty damned close to Rebellion, North, and I couldn't ask you to take the risk. Even if they released us, our careers in The Fleet would be done."
"I seem to remember," North added, "a few y ears ago when I was in a really bad mess and a certain someone got me out! Now I don't mind saying I'd take any risk for him. This is one time, Morn, they're not going to get away with it! Your mother was a great woman and deserves justice. Now you know, I know sooner or later you'll do something, so let's do it together!"
Morn got up and walked over to his friend. Grabbing both shoulders, he said,
"All right, we do it, friend."
Two days later they were sitting in the Commandant's office, requesting permission to leave The Academy the following weekend.
"You know, gentlemen," said the Commandant, "it is strictly forbidden for cadets to leave Academy during their training period except in absolute emergencies. Now you're asking me for permission to go off station and you won't give me a concrete reason why. The answer, gentlemen, is no!"
North weighed what he was about to do next very carefully. If the Commandant wasn't the kind of man he thought he was, he'd be in alot of trouble, but he took the message tape from his pocket, rose, and handed it to the Commandant.
"Sir," he said, "what's on this is absolutely confidential. As far as anyone is concerned, for your own safety, you've never seen it."
The Commandant took the tape and turned it over a couple of times, staring at North, then he shoved it into his computer and began to read. His eyes grew wider and wider as he read through the information, and finally he switched it off, took out the tape, and held it between his hands. After several seconds he looked at Morn and nodded.
"I'm sorry, son," he said, "there's no need of things like this. We're supposed to be a civilized people, but some people will do anything if they think it will advance their status. You both have emergency leave to go off station, but there's one condition; A couple of my friends and I go with you."
"Sir," Morn asked, "do you know what we intend to do?"
"If I were you," the Commandant explained, "I'd walk into the damned place with a sword in hand and cremate anyone in sight, but knowing your efficiency, you will be a little bit more selective, and,