And maybe, if thats all there was to it, I might have been okay with that, said Megan. But I havent even got to the worst part yet.

Megan, said Tarrant, a hint of warning in his voice.

She turned to Bash. Remember the Accords justification for the embargo, and why it threatened war against the TSA? It claimed we were retooling our nova drives into offensive weapons.

Except that was all bullshit, said Bash, because they never found any.

I seriously wish that was true. She stared hard at Tarrant and Sifra. But its not. The Schellings built nova mines as many as a dozen, all of them stockpiled at different locations throughout the TSA. Enough of them to start a whole new Nova War and wipe out half of the Accord, if they wanted to.

No. Bash turned to stare at Tarrant and Sifra, his fingers flexing by his sides. Thats impossible.

Its detailed right there in their secret communiqus, she said, and pushed the data over towards him. Take a look.

Bashs eyes lost focus for a few seconds as he glanced through the data, his expression becoming more and more angry.

Is this true? he demanded, looking from one man to the other.

No, said Tarrant.

Yes, said Sifra, its true.

Bash swore under his breath.

What the fuck else were we supposed to do? demanded Sifra. The TSA has to be strong, has to be able to protect itself. Just because we have those weapons doesnt mean wed ever need to use them. They were a bargaining tactic, nothing more a way to force the Accord to treat us as equals.

<Theyre both crazy,> Bash sent to Megan. <How the hell did we never notice before now?>

Let me tell you something, said Megan. If theres one thing that scares me, its nova mines. When the Accord claimed we had them stockpiled, I didnt believe a word of it. Nobody did, as Bash just said, because they couldnt find any evidence. I didnt believe that anyone amongst the First Families could possibly be so stupid. You cant build weapons like that and just hope theyre never going to be used. Its putting billions of lives at risk.

Then well agree to disagree, said Sifra. Youve already been paid. Therefore, in the meantime, theres no reason not to get the hell on with this expedition.

You sorry bastards. Bash shook his head. Dont you get it? Shes telling you its over. He caught Megans eye. I think maybe the best thing we could do now is turn this ship around and go the hell home.

I agree, said Megan. You all lied to us not just the two of you, but the First Families as well. And, for pitys sake, Gregor, were you seriously going to try and blow up the Wanderer with those anti-matter missiles stored in the hold?

Consider them a worst-case negotiating tactic, he said, his face like stone.