"It isn't true," Laura whispered. "It cant be true. Please. Please...."
"Listen to me, Laura. I'm going to win. I can't be stopped now. I'm offering you half, a woman's share of empire. Not just the Outworlds. I believe I can force Earth itself to its knees."
Alan, Alan, forgive me. I said I hated you....
"It isn't madness, Laura. With Tremaine's name and my plans, the Outworlds will rally behind me. And after they hear how Earth has sundered the space-warp from Venus—"
"Earth wouldn't," Laura said mechanically.
"It's on every Martian's lips," Keifer said.
"Then you did it yourself."
"Laura, Laura. I said a woman's share of empire. Don't worry yourself over the details. Wealth and jewels and importance, that's a woman's share. It's yours if you want it."
"My father—"
"Is a prisoner. Will you come here now?"