An Attack Machine And A Moment Of Realization

For Love And Glory, LII.

The controlling intelligence of the Forerunner base on the outer planet of the giant star knows that:

an alien spaceship has destroyed its guardian ship;

a second alien ship has landed;

the crew of the latter are walking around between the artifacts.

The intelligence responds by taking several hours to design and build "'...an attack machine.'" (p. 291) It and one of the explorers destroy each other.

The two survivors discuss the problem of their Susaian captors. Then:

"...later when they floated side by side, amidst music and stars, it came to her that she kept one small power. Very small, but she was not absolutely helpless.
"Nor was he, after she told him." (p. 293)

Our old friend, the moment of realization, raises its head right at the end of Chapter LII (of LIV).