Barling nodded. "LeClarc here was good enough to tell us Stedman's plan. A first-rate idea, as you can see, only we were able to carry it out. Frankly, I wasn't so optimistic at first."
"Let's get back to us," Teejay suggested. "You were saying...?"
"Umm-mm, yes. There's only one alternative, and much as I regret—"
"What is it? What's the alternative?"
"Please, must I say it? I think you know, and there's no need for me to—"
"No, I want to hear it."
"Suit yourself," said Barling. "The only solution is this: we'll have to eliminate you."
"When?"
"The sooner the better. But Captain Moore, you're making me feel—"
"That's all I wanted to know!" Teejay cried, and hurled herself at Barling. "We might as well try to escape while we still have a chance."