Turner joined everyone in the palace library where they had gathered to talk battle strategy. "We face considerable strategic shortcomings," Herrera said, hands braced on the table as she stared down at the maps detailing the city districts, "such as our lack of numbers and a formidable armoured front."

"We are indeed the underdogs in this fight," Collin said flatly. "We number less than a dozen against Balsa's whole army." He looked at Herrera, who'd been standing in silence for several moments.

"History tells of a great conqueror whose army often confronted opposition far greater in number than his own," Herrera recounted, his words measured as he studied the maps. "But, despite this disadvantage, he went on to win many great and seemingly impossible victories." He lifted his head and looked around, a flicker of optimism in his eyes. "His strategy? To ignore the army, bypass them completely if possible, and head straight for its commander. By robbing an army of its command, the discipline that holds its forces together falls apart, its morale destroyed and its direction lost."

"So what you're saying is that we need to sneak past the Commission's forces and eliminate Balsa?" Gorso shook his head. "That's a little ambitious, don't you think?"

"When have we ever not been ambitious?"

"Balsa will be protected," said Gorso. "Heavily. The only reason we managed to rescue Dorothea from under their noses was because of that big old golem they kept in the basement. The golem we have on hand here, many though they are, are not exactly of fighting stock."

"They are obviously the much gentler creations of Dorothea's ancestor," Collin pointed out, "the intended caretakers of the city and servants of the people. I can't imagine feats of mass destruction being required in their day to day."

"The Commission doesn't know that," Herrera pointed out. "For all they know, they could be up against impossible odds or nothing much at all. They think they're taking us by surprise, also, remember? The last thing they'll expect is a small, rear, sneak offensive." He pointed to a rendering that Vale had sketched from what he knew of Fortress Six.

"According to Vale, the southern side provides fastest access to the bridge, where Balsa will be stationed. Mr Gorso, you and Angeline will assault the fortress with the Tartaruga. Using improvised munitions, you will act as a decoy and draw the enemy out to the northern side of Fortress Six. In the meantime, Hamish will pilot myself, Collin and Bastion aboard the Commission plane and land on the southern side, where coverage and, hopefully, security will be negligible by that stage. Once we have eliminated Balsa and secured the bridge, we'll fly the fortress out over the ocean and threaten to sink it if the Commission's troops refuse to surrender."

"And if they refuse?"

"If we do need to see the threat through, we can always leave on the Tartaruga. I pray that this will not come to pass, but that recourse is open to us. We will all be equipped with flares, so we can signal each other over distances. Our biggest concern, however, is the library. If there's one thing we need to keep out of the Commission's hands, it's that, and being the largest place in the city, the palace paints itself as a pretty inviting target. If we're to have any chance taking the fortress, I need all my people with me, and I admit I am at a loss as to how to suggest we defend it."

"The golem could help with that," Dorothea said. "We could use them to lay down traps, provide distractions, some can even fight... maybe not very well, but it's better than nothing."

"What if they're turned against us?" Angeline asked. "Anybody can use these golem, remember? Sure, they're bringing us our slippers now. But what's to stop them from bringing sharp pointy objects to our throats if someone else wills it?"

"I can make them only listen to me,' Dorothea said. "I've been testing it. I'm not sure why I can, but I think it's because I'm related to their maker."

"Are you sure using them to fight is something you want to do?" Gorso asked. "I'm not sure your ancestor would have want them to be used in that way."

"If it's to keep them from being abused in more terrible ways, I would like to think he would approve."

"I regret we haven't the time to fly you both to safety," Herrera said to Dorothea and Turner, "although maybe it is fortunate that this is the case." Herrera tapped the pouch that hung around Dorothea's neck. "But should things take a turn for the worse, and our plans and defences fail, I want you to use our spirit friend to escape from here, as fast as you can and as far as it can take you."