Blakes 71978

Avon:
If I go alone, can I pilot the Liberator indefinitely?

Orac:
With the help of the automatics, of course you can.

Avon:
I know that.

Orac:
[testily] Then why did you ask the question?

Avon:
[Avon smiles] I didn't. How long can I maintain myself?

Orac:
Is *that* a question?

Avon:
Yes.

Orac:
We have concentrated food for one person for a thousand years.

Avon:
And our power is self-regenerating.

Orac:
Affirmative.

Avon:
Can you plot courses to keep out of the range of any known spaceship manned by the Federation?

Orac:
The battle and navigation computers can handle that perfectly adequately.

Avon:
I asked if *you* could.

Orac:
Of course, should it be necessary.

Avon:
Failing that, we are powerful enough to resist all but an attack by three Federation pursuit ships at once.

Orac:
Is that a question?

Avon:
No. If we go now, we can sail the universe for as long as we like in reasonable safety, provided we keep out of everybody's way and we do not do anything rash.

Orac:
No data available to answer the question... if it was a question.

Avon:
I put it to you as a possibility. I request the odds.

Orac:
The odds would be three point five to one on survival.

Avon:
[Resolute:] Therefore I do not need Blake, I do not need any of the others...

Orac:
Is that a question?

Avon:
...I do not need anybody at all.

Orac:
Is that a question? I - I - I must ask you to be more specific!

Avon:
[snaps out of his moment:] Shut up, Orac.