Hi I'm very much a newbie to the list so a short introduction. I have been a fan of Blake's 7 from the first showing but only bought the series on video about a year ago and though I have watched it incessantly since my knowledge is not as encyclopedic as the rest of you. I also only discovered fan fiction at the same time and have sinced overdosed on it so this reply will be somewhat vague. I am sure though someone will fill in the blanks:-).
I remember reading a story in a paper fanfic slash content which stated that Orac was programmed not do anything that would in anyway harm the federation since the origional aim was to sell him ( yes him inspite of my darling's insitence on "it")to the Federation, and that reprogramming him would not only be time consuming but dangerous to the programmer, (Avon does have a very great sense of selfpreservation)and possibly to the haunted fishtank himself.
I cannot be more detailed with the story as I am in work and my zine's are at home. IMO this is a very likely reason he was not used to bring down the evil empire internally. Though in the story Avon did manage to do the reprogramming safely for love of Blake.
Linda
______________________________________________________________________________ Send a friend your Buddy Card and stay in contact always with Excite Messenger http://messenger.excite.com