"The bad—the very bad—features of the approach via tube are two," he pondered aloud. "We have no means of knowing anything about what happens; and, since our previous such venture was a total failure, we must assume that, contrary to our plans and expectations, the enemy was not taken by surprise."
"Right," Kinnison concurred, tonelessly.
"Upon the other hand, an approach via open space, while conducive to the preservation of our two lives, would be seen from afar and would certainly be met by an appropriate formation."
"Check," came emotionlessly noncommittal agreement.
"Haven't you the slightest bias, one way or the other?" Fossten demanded, incredulously.
"None whatever," the Tyrant was coldly matter-of-fact. "If I had had any such, I would have ordered the approach made in the fashion I preferred. Having none, I delegated authority to you. When I delegate authority I do so without reservations."
This was a stopper.
"Let it be open space, then," the prime minister finally decided.
"So be it." And so it was.