Ramona was silent for a few moments.
At last she sighed, “If that’s how you see things, it’s probably just as well if you step down. One question, though. You’ve already made it clear you don’t think I could step into your position and run the fleet. What do you think my chances would be of getting a spot on the Council?”
“You?” Tambu blinked. “But you… I’m sorry. I’ve been so busy talking about myself, I haven’t said anything about my other plans. I was hoping you’d come with me when I left.”
Ramona gnawed her lip for a moment.
“Thanks for the invitation,” she said finally. “Listening to you talk, I wasn’t sure I’d be welcome. Now, at least, I know I’ve got a choice.”
“But will you come with me?”
“I-I don’t know,” Ramona admitted. “So much of what I love in you is tied into the fleet. I mean, I love Tambu-and what you’ve been telling me is you’re not Tambu, that you’re someone else. I don’t know that other person. I’m not sure if I’d love you more or hate you.”
“I had counted on your coming along,” Tambu said softly.
“Would it change your decision if I said I wouldn’t go with you?” Ramona asked.
Tambu looked at her for a long moment, then lowered his eyes and shook his head.
“Then I’ll have to think about it,” Ramona sighed. “Come back to bed now. I’ll give you my answer before you leave the fleet.”
INTERVIEW XI
“Did Ramona’s argument surprise you? About your being the only one who could run the fleet?”
“I felt it was exaggerated. There is a natural tendency in any group to feel that the current leader is the only one who can hold things together-particularly if that leader is the one who formed the group originally. A more realistic attitude is found in business, where they maintain that no one is irreplaceable.”