'How long until they get here? Ilanthe asked.

'Their flight-time to Ellezelin is seventy-nine days, Kazimir said. 'A significant figure, because the Pilgrimage fleet will not be completed by then. It is reasonable to assume their aim is to hit the Pilgrimage ships while they're still on the ground. If the Living Dream were to get its ships into space, they would be a lot harder to intercept, especially for the Empire.

'Then I don't understand your reluctance to create a diversion. Once the Pilgrimage ships are in space, the Empire fleet is effectively neutralized. You don't have to do anything as dramatic as blow up a star on the other side of the Empire. Launch a thousand drones with a phantom signature, so it appears a hostile fleet is heading to the Empire. Buy us some time for Living Dream.

'They'd know, Gore said. 'It's the timing again. They launch their fleet. We have to delay it and oh look, here's an unknown threat coming at them from the other side of space. How about that for coincidence? Even the Osceans aren't that stupid.

'Don't count on it, John Thelwell muttered.

'It would have to be a credible threat to divert them, Kazimir said.

'So skulk around the Empire's borders and wreck a couple of stars, or at least planets.

'We employ the word Empire too glibly, Justine said. 'The most literal translation of their planets is, Worlds upon which we nest. I'm ashamed this committee is prepared to demonize the Osceans to justify force. We must concentrate on peaceful solutions.

Ilanthe gave Gore a small victory smile as he glowered at his daughter.

'If they weren't sending a fleet towards us armed with enough quantumbusters to wipe out every Commonwealth planet I might not refer to them as a bunch of psychopathic fuckheads, Gore snapped. 'As it is, we are here to advise the Navy on how to respond. You met the Ambassador. Exactly what sort of peaceful overture do you think the Empire will respond to?

'We have to provide them with options, Justine said. 'Preferably ones which allow them to save face.

'Like pressuring Living Dream not to launch its ridiculous Pilgrimage, Creewan said.

'Outside this committee's remit, Ilanthe said swiftly. 'We advise the Navy on its response. She didn't even turn to look at Creewan. 'You want to push for something like that, bring it up at a political meeting, or even Governance.

'It is a valid option, Justine said.

'Not here it isn't. Here we decide on how many of their suns we turn nova in order to convince them to turn back.

'Nobody is turning Empire suns nova, Kazimir said. 'As I said, their fleet does not pose a physical threat to any aspect of the Commonwealth. It can be effectively neutralized.

'That's quite a big claim, Ilanthe said. 'You sure about that?

'Providing they do not possess an excess of stolen post-physical technology, yes.

'Then do just that, neutralize them. Stop them cold in interstellar space. It's not like they have a back-up fleet to send if anything goes wrong.

Kazimir glanced round the table. 'Is that the recommendation of this committee?

'It certainly is not, Justine said.

'And your plan is…? Ilanthe enquired archly.

A warning, John Thelwell said. 'In all likelihood, several warnings, considering who we're dealing with. Followed by a demonstration of our capability and intent.

'Would that be several demonstrations? Justine asked acidly. 'Just to get the point over how big and scary we are.

'Once they see they cannot stop the Pilgrimage they will turn back.

'That implies a governing factor of logic and reason, Crispin said. 'This is the Osceans we're talking about. They've committed to stopping us. Even if it meant the death of every starship in their fleet, they'll keep coming.

'The warships will be disabled, not destroyed, Kazimir said. 'I could not countenance such a loss of life.

'Then I don't even see what you convened us for, Crispin said.

'Because Governance and I don't want to reveal our true capability outside a genuine and serious threat, which this is not.

'Rock and a hard place, Gore grunted. 'The only way to deal with them without huge loss of life all round is by using ANA's technology, which in turn makes us frightening to all the physical aliens knocking around this section of the galaxy.

'This is a morals debate? Ilanthe mocked.

'It might even get the Raiel worried about us, Justine said.

'Gets my vote, Gore said. 'Supercilious little turds. It's about time someone gave their pedestal a good kicking.

'Oh stop it, Justine told him.

Gore leaned forward. 'Deliver a warning to the command ship, he said. 'If it is ignored, disable that ship. If they continue after that, take the lot of 'em down. Use the lowest-level of technology we've got that will do the job, but do it.

'Seconded, Crispin said.

'I would point out that it will be a nestling of the Emperor in charge of the fleet, said Creewan. 'The political implications of the ruling nest being defeated are not good. The likelihood of subsequent instability are strong.

'Which neither harms nor concerns us, John Thelwell said. He gave the Custodian a dismissive glance. 'We've given the Empire a beating before; they never learn.

'Our position gives us an obligation, Justine said.

'Only according to human morals, Ilanthe said. 'These are aliens.

'I wish to remain true to myself, thank you, Justine said primly.

'Of course you do.

'I vote against any physical force being used against the Empire fleet, no matter how restrained. We need to seek an alternative.

'Thank you, Mother, Kazimir said. 'Anyone else against the motion?

Creewan raised his hand.

Kazimir looked round the table. 'Then it is the majority vote that the Navy delivers a warning to the command ship, and subsequently disables it if that warning is ignored. I will initiate that immediately.

'And what if they keep on coming after the command ship is taken out? Justine asked. 'Which they will, and you all know it.

'Then I will reconvene this committee, Kazimir said.

She let out an exasperated hiss of breath, and against all etiquette withdrew instantly. The others stared at the vacated space as the perceptual reality adjusted to her absence.

'That's what being in a real body does for you, Ilanthe muttered archly.

'I will, of course, provide a secure link to the Navy ship delivering the ultimatum, Kazimir said. 'All of you will be able to access the event.

'How long until the demand is made? John Thelwell asked.

'I'd like to bring in a ship which I know has the ability to disable a Starslayer without loss of life, Kazimir said. 'We have that capability in the Hancher assistance squadron. Flight time will be within ten days. The warning will allow them one Earth day to turn round.

'We'll be back here in a fortnight, then, Gore predicted.

Less than a second after the meeting officially ended, Ilanthe requested access to Gore's personal perceptual reality. He'd been expecting it and permitted her entry as he ambled along the white-sand beach below the headland. She walked up out of the water, wearing a blue and white bikini.

'Very Ursula Andress, he said appreciatively. Gone was the spiky Cat hairstyle of the meeting, she was shaking droplets out of long honey-coloured tresses.

'Thank you. Ilanthe squinted up at the noon sun; holding a pale hand across her forehead. 'The governors you have configuring this place are very crude. Am I likely to get sunburn?

'They're not crude, just strong. Prevents hostiles trojaning in nasty surprises. And no, you won't get sunburn, just increase your skin pigmentation factor.

'Ah. She blinked as her skin darkened to a rich bronze. 'It's still a very earthy environment to me. Will you get me drunk and seduce me?