Wor was silent until they were in the air.
"Soon—as soon as I am ready—the resistance of the Rebels will be crushed. Their forests can not protect them forever from the Forces that I, Wor, command." His eyes were alert for the effect of his words.
"Why don't you wipe them out immediately then?" Margaret asked, thinking of Sasso's coming through.
"For one thing, they are clever."
Something in his words made her realize he meant more than he had said, that his motives were not as simple as they appeared.
"You mean—?"
Wor looked at her searchingly. "One person, or two of opposite sexes, will acquire supreme power when Sasso comes through. Sin thinks because she is so old in the Faith that it will be she alone. But I have labored harder, devoted myself to the Faith even more wholeheartedly than she."
"But wouldn't that be treason against Great Sasso?" The thought left Margaret aghast.
Wor shook his head. "Sasso is far too great to care who receives the Power. With my knowledge of the Gateway and the Machine of Life, with your Earth brain that can project thoughts with such powerful intensity—"
"But—"