Sally Manton wrote:
<seems a fairly acceptable method of guerilla rebellion as such things go.>
In hindsight, yes (well, except that they lost it all to Her Sleeriness). At the time, from what I can see, it's just a heist for the riches it will bring *them*.
Possibly for the others, but I don't think that's true of Avon; and he, after all, is in charge. They knew the gold was destined for the Federation from the first conversation with Keiller; Avon suspected a trap from the beginning, as did Vila; at the end we're told that Avon suspected Servalan's involvement (though that was probably from the records on the Space Princess). It's extrapolation rather than proof, yes, but it's just as logical an extrapolation as a many other Game theories. By this point in the series, I really don't think Avon is any longer under the illusion that wealth will buy him safety; he's funding the cause at the enemy's expense.
Mistral