“Fiona and Tean Lee have turned them over to us,” Arn said, and there was no give in his tone.
“What of the survivors from theUnhiland the old base?” Hal asked.
“There were only three runners that managed to get out of theUnhilin time. So thirty people saved. The rest perished.” Baruke sighed. “There are a few survivors who escaped the base in time, but none of them are the master minds.”
“Kilmar got away?” Fee asked.
“We couldn’t find him, and if he’s buried under the rubble, we never will,” General Olna said. “I’ve been working with the Balco’s security services, and we’ve found everyone it was possible to find.”
“Your help has been greatly appreciated, General.” Baruke inclined his head.
He had nearly been usurped and his whole planet taken in a bloodless coup backed by the Garmman military, Fee thought. No wonder he was so generous with the thank-yous.
“Have the Garmman contacted you?” Noki Tamir asked. “Because they’ve contacted me. They’re using the Tecran playbook, that it was rogue elements within their government who were responsible for this. The Garmman people didn’t know about it, and so on.”
“I would be interested to discuss this with you,” Baruke turned to Tamir. “They have tried to contact me numerous times, but I have given the excuse that I am still recuperating. I suppose now that we’ve had the ceremony, that excuse will no longer suffice.”
“I’ll be happy to share what they’ve told me,” Tamir said. “Perhaps in a less public forum?”
“That would be most appreciated.” Baruke looked around the table. “Are we finished here?”
“I think so.” Hoke got to her feet.
“I do believe Fiona has agreed to a private meeting, if you don’t mind giving us ten minutes, ambassador?” Baruke turned to Tamir, who murmured her agreement, leaving with curiosity sparking in her eyes.
“Would you like to move to the private room on the ground floor?” Fee asked but most of the group had taken Baruke’s comment as a signal to leave and it was just herself, Hal, Hoke, Baruke and Arn left.
“This will do well enough.” Arn glanced around and gave a nod. “We were approached this morning by someone from the desert base.” He stood, looked down the stairs, and gestured for someone to come up.
Fee leaned back in her chair as Nukolo appeared from below.
“Fiona.” He was clutching a silver cylinder.
“He’s still got it,” Eazi murmured in her ear.
She couldn’t respond, every eye that wasn’t on Nukolo was on her.
“Is that for me?” she asked Nukolo.
“It is.” He handed it to Baruke, who held it in his hands, looking down with rapt attention.
“Would you mind if I . . . opened it?” he asked.
“No. Go ahead,” Fee said.
He unscrewed the lid and slowly, carefully, drew out the crystal trophy.
Arn leaned over to have a look, and so did Hoke.
“Beautiful.” Baruke slid it back into place, and screwed the top back on.
“We wanted to give this to you as soon as possible. Can I assume Paxe has been running the way station in Eazi’s stead?”
“Of course,” Fee murmured. She took the cylinder from Baruke with as much gravitas as she could manage.
“I’m sorry,” Nukolo said. “I managed to get away from the base and I went straight to give myself in. I didn’t know anything about Leader Baruke’s kidnapping.”
“He didn’t,” Fee confirmed. “He confronted Kilmar about it as soon as he knew.”
