“Two or three nights away from completion, except for one thing. They’ll need a fuel supply. Two U-235 capsules rigged for slow implosion, sir. The hopper of their ship is empty.“
“Is there such a fuel supply in the Graveyard?“
“No, sir.“
“But could there be?“
“Usually, no. Naturally, the junkers drain out spaceship hoppers before scrapping them. U-235 in any form brings—“
“I know the value of U-235. Proceed.“
“Well, there could be. If they were lucky enough to find such a fuel supply in one of the wrecks in the Graveyard, they wouldn’t be suspicious. Naturally, we won’t put one there.“
“But you’re wrong, my dear Ramar Chind. You’ll load the hopper of one of those wrecks with enough U-235 for their purposes, and you’ll do it today.“
“But sir—“
“We’re going to follow them, Chind. You and I. We want them to escape. If they don’t escape, how can we follow them?“