They looked at each other, and then eyes turned to Gonzales Alonzo. He smiled mirthlessly. "I can try," he said. "But I'm only an engineer; I never imagined I'd have to fly the thing. Chiang Ching-Wei was supposed to be the pilot, but he's a prisoner now."
"If we smash the rocket—well, then we smash it," said Anse heavily. "It'll mean a long and hard war against Volakech from outside, and he'll have all the advantages of the new weapons. We may never overthrow him before he gets another boat built. Still—we'll just have to try."
Ellen said quietly: "I can pilot it."
"You!"
"Of course. I've been working on the second boat from the beginning. I know it as well as anyone, every seam and rivet and wiring diagram. I was aboard when Chiang took her on a practice run only a few days ago. I'll fly it for you!"
"You can't—we have to fight our way into the castle itself, the very heart of Volakech's power—you'd be killed!"
"It's the best chance. If you think we can get in at all, I stand as good a chance of living through it as anyone else."
"She's right," said Janazik. "And while we waste time here arguing, the citadel is getting ready. Come on!"
Automatically, Anse broke into movement, trotting along beside Janazik, and the army formed its ranks and followed them.