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.Theexplorations themselves, however, were all I needed."Now listen carefully.The Tyrannian ship upon which my Lord Gillbret wasmarooned was struck by a meteor after its first Jump.Assuming that the tripfrom Tyrann to Rhodia was along the usual trade route--and there is no reasonto suppose anything else--the point in space at which the ship left its routeis established.It would scarcely have traveled more than half a million milesin ordinary space between the first two Jumps.We can consider such a lengthas a point in space."It is possible to make another assumption.In damaging the control panels, itwas quite possible that the meteor might have altered the direction of theJumps, since that would require only an interference with the motion of theship's gyroscope.This would be difficult but not impossible.To change thepower of the hyperatomic thrusts, however, would require complete smashing ofPage 66ABC Amber Palm Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abcpalm.htmlthe engines, which, of course, were not touched by the meteor."With unchanged power of thrust, the length of the four remaining Jumps wouldnot be changed, nor, for that matter, would their relative directions.It would be analogous to having a long, crooked wire bent at a single point inan unknown direction through an unknown angle.The final position of the shipwould lie somewhere on the surface of an imaginary sphere, the center of whichwould be that point in space where the meteor struck, and the radius of whichwould be the vector sum of the remaining Jumps."I plotted such a sphere, and that surface intersects a thick extension of theHorsehead Nebula.Some six thousand square degrees of the sphere's surface,one fourth of the total surface, lies in the Nebula.It remains, therefore,only to find a star lying within the Nebula and within one million miles or soof the imaginary surface we are discussing.You will remember that whenGillbret's ship came to rest, it was within reach of a star."Now how many stars within the Nebula do you suppose we can find that close tothe sphere's surface? Remember there are one hundred billion radiating starsin the Galaxy."Biron found himself absorbed in the matter almost against his will."Hundreds, I suppose.""Five!" replied the Autarch."Just five.Don't be fooled by the one hundredbillion figure.The Galaxy is about seven trillion cubic light-years involume, so that there are seventy cubic light-years per star on theaverage.It is a pity that I do not know which of those five have habitableplanets.We might reduce the number of possibles to one.Unfortunately, theearly explorers had no time for detailed observations.They plotted thepositions of the stars, the proper motions, and the spectral types.""So that in one of those five stellar system," said Biron, "is located therebellion world?""Only that conclusion would fit the facts we know.""Assuming Oil's story can be accepted.""I make that assumption.""My story is true," interrupted Gillbret intensely."I swear it.""I am about to leave," said the Autarch, "to investigate each of the fiveworlds.My motives in doing so are obvious.As Autarch of Lingane I can takean equal part in their efforts.""And with two Hinriads and a Widemos on your side, your bid for an equal part,and, presumably, a strong and secure position in the new, free worlds to come,would be so much the better," said Biron."Your cynicism doesn't frighten me, Farrill.The answer is obviously yes.Ifthere is to be a successful rebellion, it would, again obviously, be desirableto have your fist on the winning side.""Otherwise some successful privateer or rebel captain might be rewarded withthe Autarchy of Lingane.""Or the Ranchy of Widemos.Exactly.""And if the rebellion is not successful?""There will be time to judge of that when we find what we look for."Biron said slowly, "I'll go with you.""Good! Then suppose we make arrangements for your transfer from this ship.""Why that?""It would be better for you.This ship is a toy.""It is a Tyrannian warship.We would be wrong in abandoning it.""As a Tyrannian warship, it would be dangerously conspicuous.""Not in the Nebula.I'm sorry, Jonti.I'm joining you out of expedience.I can be frank too.I want to find the rebellion world.But there's nofriendship between us.I stay at my own controls.""Biron," said Artemisia gently, "the ship is too small for the three of us.""As it stands, yes, Arta.But it can be fitted with a trailer.Jonti knowsthat as well as I do.We'd have all the space we needed then, and still bePage 67ABC Amber Palm Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abcpalm.htmlmasters at our own controls.And, for that matter, it would effectivelydisguise the nature of the ship."The Autarch considered."If there is to be neither friendship nor trust,Farrill, I must protect myself.You may have your own ship and a trailer toboot, outfitted as you may wish.But I must have some guarantee for yourproper behavior.The Lady Artemisia, at least, must come with me.""No!" said Biron.The Autarch lifted his eyebrows."No? Let the lady speak."He turned toward Artemisia, and his nostrils flared slightly."I dare say youwould find the situation very comfortable, my lady.""You, at least, would not find it comfortable, my lord.Be assured of that,"she retorted."I would spare you the discomfort and remain here.""I think you might reconsider if--" began the Autarch, as two little wrinklesat the bridge of his nose marred the serenity of his expression."I think not," interrupted Biron."The Lady Artemisia has made her choice.""And you back her choice then, Farrill?" The Autarch was smiling again."Entirely! All three of us will remain on the Remorseless.There will be nocompromise on that.""You choose your company oddly.""Do I?""I think so." The Autarch seemed idly absorbed in his fingernails."You seemso annoyed with me because I deceived you and placed your life in danger.It is strange, then, is it not, that you should seem on such friendly termswith the daughter of a man such as Hinrik, who in deception is certainly mymaster [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]