“That, I am afraid, is privileged information until such time as you commit yourself,” said Connough. “Fair enough. Answer this much: Do you have at least twenty thousand men on Deluros VIII?” “No.”
“I thought not,” said Broder. “Ten thousand?” “I'm not here to play guessing games, Admiral,” said Connough. “Let's just say that we have more than enough.”
“I very much doubt it, though I'll let it pass for the moment,” said Broder. “You haven't asked the question that must be the most important to you,” remarked Connough. “Oh?” said Broder. “And what is that?”
“Why, of all people on Deluros VIII, we contacted you.” “The thought did cross my mind,” said Broder. “However, it wasn't all that difficult to deduce. To begin with, nothing in my writings or speeches could have given you any indication whatsoever that I might be sympathetic to your cause, or that I wouldn't have you put to death for treason. And with an enterprise of this nature, you sure as hell didn't draw my name out of a hat. So it wasn't too difficult to figure out that what you wanted wasn't necessarily me, but the man holding my job. I just happened to be here; depending on the timing, you could have used my predecessor or my successor just as easily. “The only question remaining was: Whymy job? After all, I'm only second in command to Admiral Klare. But Klare's brother-in-law is on the Oligarchic Council, which means he's probably too loyal to chance even sounding him out. It also means, or so I surmise, that Klare will probably be murdered at the earliest opportunity, placing me—temporarily, at least—in charge of the system's defense fleet. “Now, why should it be essential to your plans to have me in that position? The only answer I can come up with is that at the proper moment I will be expected to misdirect it. Most likely,” he added, looking sharply at Connough, “when Belasko feints toward Binder. Correct?” Connough nodded.
“Let me continue, then,” said Broder. “Since Belasko has neither the strength nor the inclination to fight the main body of our forces, the only reason you want the fleet kept busy is so that they won't be tempted to interfere with whatever it is you're planning to do on Deluros VIII, and will return to afait accompli. And, with less than twenty thousand men—and probably only a quarter of that total—I
imagine you'll try to kill the seven Oligarchs.”
“Not quite, Admiral,” said Connough. “Only six of them.” “Who gets to live?” asked Broder.
“It doesn't make much difference. But if we kill seven, everything will be up for grabs. Whereas...” “Whereas if you leave one alive, you'll have succeeded in turning the galactic Oligarchy into a monarchy in one swift stroke. Under those circumstances, I'm sure none of them will turn you down. Especially,” he added, grinning again, “with a swift and certain death as the only alternative.” “That is correct,” said Connough.
“Not necessarily,” said Broder. “The whole thing hinges upon whether or not you can really deliver six swift and certain deaths to the best-protected men in the galaxy. What makes you think it can be done?” “We have men highly placed on each of the Oligarchic staffs. It won't be too difficult.” “I doubt it. They have one hell of a lot of bodyguards highly placed on each staff as well. Furthermore, the matter of timing becomes a vital factor; all six must be killed before any of the others becomes aware of the situation and strengthens his security. How do you plan to circumvent that little problem?” For almost an hour Connough spelled out every detail of the planned assassinations. Broder listened intently, occasionally asking a question, less frequently offering an opinion. At the end of that time Connough leaned back in his chair. “Well?” he asked. “Personally, I think the odds are somewhere in the neighborhood of a thousand to one against you,” said Broder “First of all, you've no idea how the remaining Oligarch will react to it. Even if he liked the idea of playing Emperor, he'd probably have you executed before you caused him any embarrassment. And, of course, if he was truly outraged at your actions, he'd have you executed for that. “Second, with the Oligarchy in a state of momentary chaos and the chain of command in doubt, Belasko might very well carve out a huge chunk of our territory. Or he might expose the whole thing and be swept to power on a tide of public sentiment.
“Third, I very much doubt that you'll be able to kill more than one Oligarch before the sky falls on your whole organization. I figure that with exceptionally good luck, you'll kill two of them. Certainly no more than that.
“Fourth, your scheme depends, to a considerable degree, on my complicity. As yet, I see no reason why I should come over to your side, and I see numerous reasons why I shouldn't.” “I cannot answer your first three objections, Admiral,” said Connough. “But as for your last one, I will give you my pledge—in writing, on voicetape, or in any other form you desire—that upon the successful completion of this affair, you will be made commander in chief of the entire armed forces of the Oligarchy. Or of the Monarchy, as the case may be. “That's very impressive,” said Broder. “It would be even more impressive if I knew you would be in power, or even alive, at such time as I wished to assume command.”
“Well, we can't very well get whichever member of the council we decide to spare to make that
promise,” said Connough. “We are talking, Admiral, about overthrowing the most powerful single political and military establishment ever to exist. It is only natural that uncertainties as to its accomplishment and aftermath should exist.” “What's to stop the media and the public from assuming that the surviving Oligarch engineered the whole thing himself?” asked Broder, changing the subject. “An attempt will be made on his life as well, and doubtless he will sustain serious but nonfatal wounds. The would-be assassins will not live to tell what they know. Blame for the incident will be laid on a certain radical fringe group which, though innocent, will be only too happy to take credit for it.” “How soon are you ready to move?'’
“Within the next thirty days,” said Connough. “This means that Admiral Klare must be assassinated almost immediately.”
“It's a harebrained scheme,” said Broder. “What makes you think I won't turn you in the moment you've left my office? After all, this conversation hasn't been monitored or recorded. I could deny any complicity whatsoever and become a hero overnight.” “Indeed you could,” agreed Connough. “However, that is a risk I must take.” “You're a cool customer, I'll grant you that,” said Broder. “When must you have my decision?” “By this evening. You needn't contact me again. If you decide to join us, find some way to have Admiral Klare admit a man named Deros Boron to his office tomorrow afternoon. Everything else will be taken care of, and you will receive further instructions at the proper time. If Boron cannot gain admittance to Klare's office, you will have rejected my proposal.” “Is there any way I can get in touch with you?” asked Broder. “None,'’ said Connough, rising and leaving the room. Broder sat and stared at the wall. It was a crazy proposition, a million-to-one shot. It probably wouldn't get off the ground at all. The odds were even that Klare would come out unscathed. The odds were astronomical that the Oligarchy would survive. And the odds extended almost to infinity that even if Klare and six of the Oligarchs were successfully gotten out of the way, the seventh Oligarch wouldn't see eye to eye with the men who had so swiftly turned him into the most powerful sentient entity in history. And, he grimaced, the odds ofhis surviving were considerably longer than the odds on any of the intended victims. So much for the negative side ... but was there even a hint of a positive argument? There was.