What can I say? It helps mefigure things out!" She shrugged and giggled giddily. "Anyway, I alsolike to write short stories. Do any of you?" Well, one...of our students does," Sandvik said happily, gesturing toCal. "He is always writing when we take breaks. Please continue, Tawny.Have you had anything published?"Tawny shook her head. "Nope, but I'm still trying..." Her eyes met withCal's once more and she then said, "Well, I hope we can be friends!"And, with that said, she looked back at Sandvik. We returned fire, and Idisintegrated one of the rebels, but was taken captive while their leadergrabbed as many of the ancient weapons as he could carry, before leadinghis team - and us - into a shuttlecraft with a starship's name on theside."The Russian Rhapsody!" I cried. "That was one of the finest vessels theSpace Force ever made!" And now she's the finest rebel vessel of the fleet!" the man said smugly,and he then launched the shutlecraft and returned to the Rhapsody, whichwas an Emissary. " I accept that wager." You are not enough. Call a plebiscite now and then tell me the answer. Two of your pursuers have been accelerating for the last two minutes and should release their missiles at any moment."In less than thirty seconds the person said, "The majority of the ship agree to your terms." Release your probes and do it in a wide area."Probes had always been expelled from the ship but now thousands more were cast out. The flow didn't slow for it was necessary to stay within range. In a way, the fact that the stated purpose of removing the "Iron Maiden" from the playing field was ultimately a failure was the only good thing that resulted from the entire affair. Danny had worked hard behind the scenes to insure that result even though he was unable to call a halt to the entire operation.The logistics of the hotel were such that Danny was at a loss to understand why the main conspirator did not use a better located charge and why he didn't use the more sophisticated Eastern.