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  The Drac operator paused. “Should we shut down the facility before we leave?”

  “No. We will need it. Have your watch put the things they are working on now on temporary hold.”

  “Yes Ovjetah.”

  As the operators put their stations on hold and left the compartment, the Drac and USEF guard contingents began moving out in almost identical clouds of low muttered curses. When all had gone, the compartment door hissed shut. Ambassador Rafiki walked across the deck, stopping at the foot of Nicole’s bedtable.

  “You must be the traitor Moore told me about.”

  “I am no traitor. As Tora Soam can confirm. I am vemadah. Do you understand the meaning of the term?”

  Rafiki answered. “I’ve read The Talman. I’m not sure what difference it makes what label it is one uses to commit treason. Nicole, why am I here?”

  “To witness a nightmare, Ambassador. This nightmare will tell you why this war happened and what binds everyone to this war. But to do this, Tora Soam must have access to USE commercial and historical information.”

  “Impossible.”

  “Ambassador Rafiki, none of the information we need is classified.”

  Jetah Indeva walked up and stood next to Tora Soam. “Ovjetah, is the Talman Kovah tied into this complex?”

  “Yes.”

  “And our information will be put on display for this woman?”

  “As much of it as is needed.”

  Indeva noised a grump. “I cannot allow this.”

  “You have no choice in the matter, Jetah Indeva. I am the Ovjetah of the Talman Kovah. Not even the Dracon Chamber may dictate to me to what use I put information.”

  Ambassador Rafiki spoke. “Tora Soam, you cannot force me to allow the tie-in.”

  Nicole interrupted. “No. But there is enough information from the kovah to begin, and in beginning, perhaps, Ambassador Rafiki will see enough to want to learn more.” Nicole listened as the Ovjetah took its position before one of the compartment’s screen consoles. She spoke. “Represent upon the screen that portion of space governed by the USE and the Dracon Chamber.”

  After a few moments, Tora Soam spoke. “This view is from the planet Draco.”

  Nicole shook her head. “Give us a three-dimensional view centered between Earth and Draco, and make the point of view far enough away from that center that all of the territory can be represented.”

  “And now?”

  “Highlight the planets Earth and Draco.”

  “It is done.”

  Nicole pointed toward the screen with her left hand. “This is how things stood almost twenty-one hundred Earth years ago. Humans were still planet-bound, and the Sindie under Poma had just refounded their race upon the planet Draco. Now, Tora Soam, by accelerated time progression, show: the colonizations by both races until the Earth year 2050. Nicole imagined the halo of dots surrounding Draco, then a similar halo surrounding Earth.

  After a few moments, Ambassador Rafiki spoke. “And this is in illustration of what?”

  “This shows the patterns of colonization prior to the formal establishment of the Ninth Quadrant Federation.” She turned toward Tora Soam. “Now continue at a slower progression, bringing us to the present.” Nicole spoke as her mind described the dots appearing on the screen. Beginning with the year 2050, the colonization patterns changed. Observe how each pattern seems to reach toward the other.” Her mind showed her the patterns aiming at each other, coming to sharp points near the planet called Amadeen.

  Tora Soam spoke. “And now?”

  “And now, Ovjetah, one of those planets has been colonized by both races. Amadeen. And all seems well until, without warning, the Front and the Mavedah are formed. Before anyone knows what is happening, three hundred worlds are at war. And the war is such that neither side can win; and the problem of the war is such that neither side can quit. The only remaining path seems to be one of mutual destruction. The interplanetary fighting will end when there is nothing to fight with and no one left to do the fighting.”

  Ambassador Rafiki sighed impatiently. “I see no purpose in history lessons. And there is another path: the treaty worked out by Heliot Vant and myself.”

  “If that treaty is implemented, Ambassador, the fighting on Amadeen will continue. No police force can hold down a population determined to make war upon itself. The Dracon Chamber has a commitment to support and defend the Mavedah; The United Stales of Earth has a commitment to support and defend the Amadeen Front. And every soldier that fights upon Amadeen brings the infection of war away from the planet to its home.”

  Tora Soam’s voice turned toward Ambassador Rafiki. “This is true. Until the problem of Amadeen is satisfied, both forces will remain ready, poised to strike. And more-and-more the soldiers behind those triggers will have the horrors of Amadeen in their sights. By accident or by intent, renewed interplanetary war would only be a matter of time.” Tora Soam waited for the human to speak, then continued. “Nicole, we see that we are rulebound. Do you see how?”

  “Find the major commercial interests involved in planetary colonizations after 2050.”

  There was a moment, then the Ovjetah spoke. “Nicole, there are hundreds of companies… labor guilds, and immigration organizations.”

  “The companies provide the incentives for the labor and immigration organizations, Ovjetah. Find the link between the companies.”

  As Tora Soam worked the console, Jetah Indeva walked to Nicole’s bedtable. Indeva stopped and looked down at her. “Why don’t you simply say what you have to say?”

  Nicole smiled thinly, the anesthetic in her shoulder beginning to wear off. “Jetah, Shizumaat did not tell Namndas that Sindie was a sphere; Shizumaat showed Namndas.”

  “Dah!” Indeva thumped at its chest with the tips of its fingers. “I am not some callow whelp sitting before my master at the kovah, Nicole. I must have answers; not stage productions!”

  Tora Soam spoke from its place at the console. “If this is truth you speak, Indeva Bejuda, then you will have no objection to receiving evidence and making your conclusions after the manner of an adult.” Before Indeva could answer Tora Soam’s rebuke, the Ovjetah continued. “Nicole, there is no clear pattern. However, almost seventy percent of the capital investment in the colonizations is controlled by a tangle of eleven holding companies. All of these companies are charted out of different planets-none of them members of the Dracon Chamber. We don’t have commercial information on them.”

  Nicole nodded once. “But all of those planets are members of the Ninth Quadrant Federation.”

  A pause as the Ovjetah requested and received the information. “You are correct.”

  Nicole turned toward Ambassador Rafiki. “Will you allow the tie-in?”

  Rafiki turned her head toward, the screen. “Nicole, do you have any idea of the size of the horror you are building up to?”

  “Then you see it, too, Ambassador?”

  Rafiki paused for a moment, then walked across the deck until she stood next to Tora Soam. “Get me the USE mission operator.”

  After the USE ambassador had authorized the tie-in, Tora Soam worked over the new information. Once the information had been processed, the Ovjetah walked from the console and stood next to Nicole’s bedtable. “Nicole, eighty percent of the capital investment in the USE post-2050 colonizations is divided between fourteen holding companies, none of them chartered out of USE planets.”

  “But all of them chartered out of Ninth Quadrant planets?”

  “Yes.”

  The direction of Tora Soam’s voice changed. “There is an entity out there… an entity that led the Dracon Chamber into conflict with the United States of Earth?”

  “Yes.”

  “But it would take… quadrillions… an unimaginable command of capital and resource-” Tora Soam turned until its voice was aimed at Ambassador Rafiki. “All this points toward the Ninth Quadrant Federation itself.”

  Jetah Indeva barked a disgusted curse. “T
he human mind is haunted by conspiracies, Tora Soam. This is insane! Have this Nicole’s ghosts invaded your skull, as well?” Indeva’s voice aimed at Nicole. “Human, what advantage is there to the members of the federation in having half the quadrant aflame with war?”

  “None.”

  “Exactly! And how could a conspiracy between hundreds of governments-on such a scale-be kept secret for the decades your theory requires?”

  “It could not.”

  Indeva remained silent for a moment. “Then, Nicole… I do not see what you see.”

  “In formulating the treaty terms, were there suggestions from the Ninth Quadrant observation team?”

  “Yes.”

  Nicole nodded: “And, Jetah Indeva, the suggestions had to do with establishing the policed demilitarized zone on Amadeen?”

  Indeva breathed heavily. “That is the core problem of the war. Before anything else, the problem of Amadeen must be put to rest.”

  “No, Jetah Indeva: You are wrong-twice.” Nicole struggled until she sat upright upon the bedtable. “The conspiracy you say that haunts my mind, Jetah, exists. However, it is a conspiracy of fragments-a multitude of smaller plans that together mean our destruction. Earth IMPEX operates by rules. And If IMPEX received what it thought to be reliable inside information that would benefit the company, and if one or more large investors received the same information and urged IMPEX to explore the advantage, would it be difficult to cause IMPEX to explore and then exploit a particular planet?”

  You talk of only one planet.”

  “Yes. But continue to feed out information on other planets, and each time the information proves both reliable and profitable, the ones issuing the information gain considerable credibility-particularly if they also command large amounts of investment capital. The companies that see where Dracon JACHE and Earth IMPEX invest their resources know from experience that their own interests will be served by following suit-” Nicole shook her head. “It was so easy. It was so damned easy to lead the Dracon Chamber and the United States of Earth into war. Our rules were gathered, and then we were led by our noses into mutual destruction. And the manipulator of these things was Hissied ‘do Timan, the most influential member of the Ninth Quadrant Assembly.”

  Rafiki sighed, and then spoke. “Too many things point to the Ninth Quadrant. Hissied ‘do Timan even made himself conspicuous by his performance as a member of the federation’s membership invitation committee. If this Timan is so clever, he should have been better at covering his tracks.”

  “Hissied ‘do Timan has gone to a great deal of trouble, Ambassador Rafiki, to make certain that both he and the Ninth Quadrant Federation are identified as the culprits.” Nicole turned her head. “Tora Soam, what is Hissied ‘do Timan’s goal? What has he been trying to accomplish?”

  “The plan is simple. At our present numbers, Hissied ‘do Timan would keep us out of the Ninth Quadrant Federation. With our present populations, the USE and the Dracon Chamber have the potential to cast Timan influence in the federation into a shadow. For the Timans to allow us membership, we must, first, reduce our numbers. At our present populations, we represent a considerable voting force.” The Ovjetah’s footsteps moved around the compartment. “And there is more. We cannot breathe a word of what we know, If we talk, this war will become known by both humans and Dracs as caused by the Ninth Quadrant. Whether we attack the federation as a result, or not, the result will be the same. Neither power will become members of the Ninth Chamber. Nicole.”

  “Yes, Ovjetah?”

  “This is what Hissied ‘do Timan wants; to keep us from membership?”

  “Yes. To their minds, we threaten Timan power.”

  Rafiki sighed. “If this is true, I think I see what you mean by being rulebound, Tora Soam. If the truth is known, the outrage of both Dracs and humans will either cause us to attack the federation, or remain aloof from it.”

  Tora Soam spoke. “Either one will serve Hissied ‘do Timan as well. Even if we joined forces, we could not win a war against the combined forces of the federation. And if we are not members, that is just what the Timan wants.”

  “But what about the war? We cannot continue with it, yet we cannot stop it, if all that has been said is true. Tora Soam?”

  “You state the situation accurately, Ambassador. Do you have a question, Jetah Indeva?”

  “Yes.” Indeva’s voice aimed at Nicole. “If all this is true, why can we not bring Hissied ‘do Timan in front of the federation’s own interplanetary court? Expose him and his vile plan to the scorn of the Universe?”

  Nicole smiled. “And announce this to Earth and Draco? You will find no evidence to link Hissied ‘do Timan to this plan. I think that an examination of his finances will show him living off of his stipend as a member of the assembly. I doubt if any of the company investments can be traced directly to him. He planted advice and suggestions rather than money. Even when it came to a vote in his committee; Hissied ‘do Timan abstained-the very essence of fairness. The Timans are experts at covering real tracks and planting false trails. And covering his trail was not difficult. You see, Hissied ‘do Timan was never in this for monetary gain. He was and is in this for what he thinks is his race’s survival. Hissied ‘do Timan is a patriot. Ambassador Rafiki?”

  “Yes, Nicole?”

  “All that I am speaking to you is the truth. Take whatever steps you must to confirm it, but you must say nothing about it. If Hissied ‘do Timan’s plan escapes to the news media, that knowledge will do as much damage as the plan itself.”

  “Who do you think tried to kill you, Nicole?”

  “It’s not important. The universe is full of well-meaning beings who would take on such a task if they thought they were serving some brand of justice.”

  “What about the treaty?”

  Joanne Nicole settled back upon her bedtable. “Ambassador Rafiki, Jetah Indeva; as soon as you two can arrange negotiations between only the two of you-Tora Soam, Hissied ‘do Timan, and myself observing-things will be made clear. There can be no guards, deputies, or assistants, and the compartment must be made secure from listening and recording devices. Before coming to the meeting, both of you must have plenipotentiary powers to act for your governments, and you must be in direct command of your respective military forces.”

  Tora Soam spoke. “I bring such powers with me from the Dracon Chamber. Ambassador Rafiki?”

  “I will have to discuss this with my government. Nicole, why do I need such powers?”

  “You will need the power and freedom to act to resolve the problem.”

  She held out her hand. “Tora Soam, my anesthetic is wearing off. Have quarters been arranged for me on board this ship?”

  “Of course.”

  “Then bring me back to Natueh Gi.”

  She felt the bedtable begin to move, then Tora Soam’s words whispered into her ear. “Hissied ‘do Timan. Is he responsible for Heliot’s death?”

  Nicole weakly shook her head. “No. Heliot Vant’s death is the thing that endangers Hissied ‘do Timan’s plan. Heliot’s death caused the negotiations to be reopened.”

  The bedtable stopped moving. “Then who?”

  Nicole held out her hand. “Ambassador Rafiki, can you wait for a moment?”

  “Yes.”

  Nicole’s hand touched Tora Soam’s arm. “Send for your child. Between them. Ana Rafiki and Tora Kia know.”

  Minutes later, freshly medicated and in her bed, Nicole listened as Tora Soam, Kia, and Ambassador Rafiki arranged themselves on couches and chairs. Jetah Indeva stood beside the compartment’s door. Tora Soam spoke. “Very well, Nicole. Begin.”

  Nicole nodded slightly. “Ambassador Rafiki?”

  “Yes?”

  “Explain your relationship with Heliot Vant.”

  “Explain?”

  “What was it like? How did you feel?”

  Ambassador Rafiki was silent for a long moment. “At first we could not communicate. There were too many
hostilities and false issues. But as we fought over these issues, the hostility, I think, was replaced by a degree of mutual respect. I… I admired Heliot very much.”

  “And describe what happened the night Heliot died.”

  “I have given that information to Major Haridashi; and I have authorized the information exchange you requested through Colonel Moore.”

  “Please describe it. I am more interested in the feelings than in the events.”

  “Very well. It had been a long, hard struggle working out the terms of the treaty. At one point in the negotiations, Heliot suggested that the two of us meet informally to allow us to discuss and settle upon several points without our respective negotiating teams screaming charges and counter-charges at each other. The meeting was very productive.”

  “There were more meetings, Ambassador?”

  “Yes. We managed to get more done that way.”

  “And your affection for Heliot grew?”

  “I wouldn’t call it affection… Admiration. Respect”

  A haunted tone came into the ambassador’s voice. “Perhaps it was affection. I think the feeling was mutual. Just before Heliot died, it told me that it respected me. Heliot was so proud-not only of what had been accomplished, but that we had accomplished it. A Drac and a human. Heliot… was proud of us.”

  Nicole heard Tora Soam stand and walk toward the ambassador. “You cry. You cry for Heliot Vant?”

  “Is that so odd?”

  “Yes, that is odd.”

  Nicole turned her head toward Tora Kia. “Kia, explain to them what happened.”

  “How should I know?”

  “You know.”

  There was an embarrassed silence, then Kia spoke. “Yes… I suppose I do. Ambassador Rafiki?”

  “Yes?”

  “Just before it died, Heliot Vant became very emotional.”

  “Perhaps. As I said, Heliot was very proud of what we had done.” She uttered a sad little laugh. “Heliot .. Heliot even blushed.”