I studied her. Was she guessing about the sabotage? And was her comment a hint of more problems to come. Either way, a quick negotiation didn’t seem likely.
“Should we recycle all the Travas to avoid any more trouble?” I asked.
She shrugged. “You obviously need a few of us to help with unexpected repairs, but this indecisiveness over what to do with us will only cause more problems. Which I’m more than happy to sit back and watch.”
Anne-Jade had been right about her desire to gloat. “Thanks for the tip,” I said. “But I’m here to get names and not a lecture.”
Annoyance flashed in her eyes before she returned to acting casual. “Fine. In exchange for fixing the Transmission, we want the people in the brig to be released to our quarters, and we desire trials to determine degree of guilt. There is no reason the entire Trava family should be confined.”
I hated to admit this, but she had a point about the Trava family. However, releasing the upper officers from the brig would be a mistake.
Karla waved her hand as best she could while cuffed to the bench. “Run along to the Committee now and deliver my request like a good little scrub.”
I couldn’t suppress my grin as I toggled on my button listening device. Repeating her demands to the Committee, I waited as they discussed them. She rested her hands in her lap in an attempt to disguise the fury pulsing through her body, but her rigid posture betrayed her. I slid back in my chair, relaxing.
As expected the Committee was willing to review each family member’s actions prior to the rebellion to determine degree of guilt for each, but they refused to move the brig prisoners. I relayed this to Karla.
“Next?”
She scowled and my heart stuttered for a few beats—an automatic response.
“My terms are not negotiable,” she said.
My temper flared. This had been a waste of time. “Then we’re done.” I stood to leave.
“You have to fix the Transmission.” Karla’s voice held a bit of panic. “The survival of our world depends on it.”
I pressed a finger to my ear as if listening to a message. “The Committee is willing to include those in the brig in the review process.”
“No. We want out of the brig.”
Keeping my hand near my ear, I cocked my head and furrowed my brow. “Okay, then you’ll be taken out of the brig and sent to Chomper.”
Shock bleached her face. “That’s not what I meant. What about the repairs?”
It was hard not to snigger over her reaction. “I’m sure once the others see how we cleaned out the brig, they’ll be more cooperative.”
Her hard stare burned like acid on my skin, but I kept my face neutral.
“You’re lying,” she said.
“Doesn’t matter if you believe me or not.” I strode toward the door.
“Wait,” she said.
I paused but didn’t turn around.
“I’ll tell you the names if you do a review for all the Travas, including those in the brig.”
Glancing over my shoulder, I said, “All right.”
I rummaged for a wipe board and marker and returned to Karla. “Don’t lie,” I said. “If the names are wrong, you’ll be the first to be sent to Chomper. I’ll do the honors myself.”
Karla rattled off three and I wrote them down. I didn’t recognize any of them, but I hadn’t been expecting to. Without saying goodbye, I left the office. Anne-Jade waited in the hallway.
“Well?” she asked.
I handed her the board.
