Trying to follow Mark's train of thought is like trying to paint the stripes onto a candy cane one-handed. Miles blinks in topological bewilderment.

"Um, yes," he says, after half a beat when he thinks he's caught up. "That is, if your ambition is to be Emperor, you have the means to accomplish it. If your ambition is to survive being Emperor, you might want to pursue early retirement plans. Athos should be just about far enough, if nobody knows you went there."