"Look, get some rope and synergine and we'll see what she has to say about it," says one of the guard. "Ser Galen said 'kill them', he didn't actually say 'all' -"

"He meant all -"

"If she wants to go to Beta Colony and sell consumer electronics what harm does that do to the revolution, hm? If she makes a dramatic speech we can dump her with the others."

The reluctant guard grumbles and trots off while the other keeps his stunner trained on the captives from sufficient range to drop them both if either lunges.