The blaring proximity alarm jerked Taz out of the sleep he'd barely fallen into. Varun's cover story glowed on the secondary display at his copilot station. Blinking the sleep from his eyes and swearing, he got his bearings, increased power to the navigational deflectors, and ran a wide field scan to find the source of the alarm.

Sera rushed out of the lift, Lyra hard on her heels. Both of them were half-dressed. "What is it?" Sera demanded.

"Reading mineral and ice particles, from a few microns to a few meters in size," Taz reported, "and traces of ionizing radiation."

"Passing through a comet tail? Rogue asteroid that got pulled apart by tidal forces?" Lyra hypothesized.

"Wouldn't explain the radiation," he replied while he pulled back on the control column and dialed up the ion drives, vaulting the freighter out of the debris field. Taz glanced back at the two women standing in their underwear. If he hadn't felt so self-conscious for having been caught asleep, he'd probably have enjoyed the moment. "I've got this handled. Go put on some clothes, at least."

----------------------------------------

Fifteen minutes later they were sitting around the big table in the salon. Taz tossed back a couple of stim tabs and chased them with a mug of the strongest khaff he could program the autochef to brew. The adrenaline dump he'd experienced when the alarm jarred him awake had worn off. His lack of sleep and the emotional toll of his fight with Tess had left him feeling lethargic and irritable.

The meds and khaff were sure to help with one of those, and undoubtedly make the other worse.

Tess, Varun and the crew—who were all dressed this time—surrounded him. Taz avoided her gaze. The shame he felt last night hadn't diminished. He couldn't face her, knowing how close he'd come to losing control. He set his mouth in a firm line and replayed the sensor readings on his pad.

Varun scratched his chin. He hadn't shaved yet and his dark whiskers made him look like a holodrama heavy. "Could you replay those radiation readings?"

Taz poked at the controls. The information scrolled by again.

"What is it, Varun?" Tess asked.

"After Alderaan was destroyed, Alliance Intelligence conducted a forensic analysis of some of the debris. They found ionizing radiation with a signature very similar to these readings."

"What does that mean?" Sera asked.

Varun looked unsettled. "It means they might have the same kind of superlaser that the Death Star used."

Sera swore, a long, drawn out Weequay curse she'd picked up somewhere. "You think they're building another Death Star?"

"Doubtful, but we won't learn anything sitting up here. We need to get down to the planet."

"Well, this is your show, you two," Sera began. "Let's make contact and you can tell them why we've come. Nimor, take our passengers to the command deck and get started plotting an approach. I'll be right up."

Everyone started to leave. Taz slid around the big bench seat. "Hey, Doc, got a minute?"

"Sure, Sera." He stayed put and poured another mug of khaff. When they were alone, he rubbed his temples. "If it's about this morning, I'm—"

"It's not," she interrupted with a wave. "Listen, Doc. I know Numarkos pushes your buttons, and I know it hasn't been easy having Tess here. But this isn't a stock run where we drop off some passengers and wish them well. We're going to an Imperial base—hostile territory. This job's tricky enough without you tiptoeing around Tess like she's got Ederic's disease, and spiking an Ysarnian rage fever every time Numarkos rubs you the wrong way."

Taz let out a long breath. "I know, Sera. I'm sorry. Nice pathology metaphors, by the way." He gave her a crooked grimace, took a drink, and stared into his mug. "I'm being a jerk, aren't I?"

She smiled back. "I was going to say 'child', but yeah." She sipped her khaff and regarded him over the top of her mug. "I don't pretend to understand what goes on in a man's head, but I'm hopelessly in love with an amazing woman, so I know how I'd feel if someone took Rei-sha from me. I'm not telling you not to feel those things, just put them on standby until we get out of this. Think you can do that?"

Taz gulped the hot, bitter brew and set down his mug, turning it on the tabletop before he looked at her with a steady gaze. "You've got it, Captain."

"It's Sera, Doc. Always will be to you."

"I know, but sometimes I need you to be my CO, not just my friend."

"You outranked me, remember?"

"Not in any of the ways that mattered. Besides, I never had your knack for command." He straightened up. "Orders received. I won't let you down."

She smiled and cocked her head. "Get out of here, Mister Oktos."

Back in the cockpit, Varun stood over Tess's shoulder at the copilot's station. He was dressed in a smart-looking gray jacket and slacks that had just the slightest iridescent shimmer.

Lyra tuned the comm to a standard Imperial hailing channel. "You're up, Captain Numarkos."

"Imperial Facility Rho Two-Seven-Seven, this is Varun Numarkos of TaggeCo's Cultural Preservation Initiative aboard Allegra's Heart. Please respond."

Varun repeated the hail twice more. A male voice finally responded. "Unidentified vessel, you're not scheduled for arrival at this facility. What's your business?"

"Investigation and cataloging of paleolithic sites. A number of them were noted on this planet by a TaggeCo survey twenty-eight standard years ago."

The channel was quiet for a few moments, then another voice came on, female this time. "Twenty-eight years is a long time. Why are you here now?"

"You know how it is. Big company, bigger bureaucracy. Isolated planets in Wild Space are low on the priority list. Plus, we've been busy on other fronts. Lending our fleet and troops in support of the Emperor's efforts to instill order throughout the galaxy, for example." He paused to let that sink in. "Surely that's earned us some leeway in making our survey a little later than planned."

"As we said, we have no record of a planned survey here. We're not—"

"I beg your pardon," Numarkos interrupted, adding some authority to his tone, "but we've traveled a long way to perform this work. I'm sure I don't need to remind you of TaggeCo's invaluable contributions to the Empire over the years. I would hate to have to report back to the Board of Directors that we were denied your full cooperation in this matter. I'll need your name, rank, and position for my report."

Silence on the other end again. He'd made some impact with that.

"What is your itinerary and length of stay, Mister Numarkus?" The woman sounded less confident.

"It's NumarKOS, madam," he corrected politely. "I expect we shouldn't be here more than a week or so. I'm prepared to transmit a list of the sites we'd like to catalog and I can guarantee we won't impact your valuable mining operation."

"I'll need to confer with my superiors. Transmit your ident code, planned itinerary and list of sites. Maintain your current position. I'll contact you again in an hour. Rho Two-Seven-Seven Control out."

----------------------------------------

An hour later, the same woman called back. "Transport Allegra's Heart, this is Rho Two-Seven-Seven Control. Acknowledge."

"This is Allegra's Heart, receiving you five by five, Control. Standing by," Lyra responded.

"Landing clearance has been granted by the Director. You are permitted to remain on-planet for eight local days. We're sending an escort to guide you through the defense shield." Two contacts appeared on Lyra's scope, the size of snub fighters. "Form up between the escort ships. I'm transmitting approach vectors and landing coordinates. Do not deviate from the approach or you will be fired upon. Rho Two-Seven-Seven Control out."

"She seems nice," Lyra chirped with a glance at Sera. A pair of TIE fighters flew past them, then turned and drew alongside, bracketing Allegra's Heart. Varun found Tess's hand pressed into his. He squeezed it, hoping it felt reassuring and not anxious.

The descent lasted most of an hour. The sky was partly obscured by clouds that towered high into the atmosphere. At five kilometers' altitude they passed through a narrow window in the defense shield. The TIEs peeled away and circled while the freighter made its terminal approach.

The landing site was an elevated permacrete platform adjacent to a hangar that was partially cut into the hilly terrain. A rack of surface-to-air missiles sat between a pair of four-barreled laser turrets on the hill above the hangar, tracking their every maneuver. A half a kilometer from the pad was a sizable facility.

Lyra could make out four or five blocks of living quarters with tile roofs painted in bright colors—definitely not something she'd ever seen at an Imperial installation. A short distance from the housing units sat a tight cluster of buildings that looked like they might be administrative offices. Beyond those sprawled an extensive industrial complex. Long cylindrical structures made of cast duracrete extended like fingers from the buildings and disappeared into the nearby hillside. One thing she didn't see was any kind of communication tower. Every Imperial facility had one. The Empire didn't allow their bases to operate independently or incommunicado. At least, she'd never heard of such a thing.

A man stood on the landing pad, directing her with illuminated wands. Lyra deployed the landing struts and adjusted power on the repulsors, touching down on the pad with a little thud. She reached overhead and flipped switches to power down the ship.

"Sure that's a good idea?" Taz asked. He felt a little better after grabbing a short rest while they descended. "Maybe we should keep her hot, just in case."

Lyra scowled over her shoulder. "Didn't you see those quad lasers and missiles, Oktos? Besides, their shield has us trapped. We're not going anywhere unless they want us to."

"Miss Nimor is right, Doctor Oktos," Varun seconded. "Get used to hearing that name, and the rest of you get used to saying it. Captain Rendix, I know this is last minute, but I wonder if I could borrow Kallista?"

"Kalli? What for?"

"Well, a man of my position at TaggeCo would likely have a droid for administrative and protocol duties. Plus, Kallista and I have known each other for over ten years."

Kallista, who had apparently been standing just outside the cockpit for the entire time, piped in, "I'd be happy to accompany Master Varun and Miss Daro, and of course, Doctor Oktos. It sounds like fun."

"Already getting into the spirit, Kalli?" Sera asked.

"I took the liberty of digesting all of the background information and cover identities."

"Oh? When did you do that?"

"It's ever so boring standing around plugged into my socket, Captain. I thought some light reading might be a nice diversion. I'm considered quite studious for my model, you know. Quite playful, too." The luxury droid's sultry voice gave her statement decidedly provocative overtones.

"I'm sure you are, Kalli," Sera said with a lopsided smile. Then to Varun, "She's all yours, Captain."

Varun watched a half dozen people approaching. "Looks like our welcoming party is here. Let's go meet them."

"Nimor, Rei, why don't the two of you stay with the ship for now." Lyra acknowledged immediately but Reiko looked crestfallen. "Just until we know what we're dealing with. If things go sideways, you two will need to figure a way off this planet."

"Okay, but be careful, Sera-sha."

Sera winked and kissed Reiko on her way out of the cockpit. They took the lift down to the lower deck and she swiped the switch for the boarding ramp. As it extended, Varun leaned over to Taz. "Remember, you're a researcher. Studious and non-confrontational. Leave anything that makes you seem like a Rebel in here."

"I know my job, Numarkos, just do yours," Taz retorted, but he slipped out of his combat vest and hooked his gun belt on the wall.

The ramp clanged against the permacrete. At the bottom stood a woman wearing the standard Imperial Navy uniform. The four guards behind her were in rust-colored coveralls, armed with DH-17 carbines.

Unauthorized duplication: this tale has been taken without consent. Report sightings.

The woman looked up at them. "Welcome to Beta Fonidian Two. Which of you is Numarkos?" Her voice was the same one they'd heard from the control center.

"That'd be me," Varun said, raising his hand as he strode down the ramp past the others. Tess followed a step behind with Kallista, then Sera and Taz. Varun extended his hand at the bottom of the ramp. He received a snappy salute instead of a handshake. "And you are—?"

"Lieutenant Forstner," she answered perfunctorily while she looked them over, frowning. "Weapons aren't allowed. You can leave them in your ship or surrender them to us for safekeeping. They'll be returned upon your departure." She eyed Kallista warily. "Droids are restricted here. We'd rather you didn't bring your—"

"Kallista is my protocol and clerical assistant."

"Your assistant will be fitted with a restraining bolt while on this facility."

"And mar this exquisite figure? Not likely, dear girl," Kallista responded, her sultry voice laced with an edge of menace.

"Or she can wait on your ship," Forstner responded, eyes narrowed. "Your choice, Manager Numarkos."

Varun smiled. "Of course, Lieutenant. Kallista, be a dear and wait on the ship."

"But Master Varun, what if you should require my assistance?"

Tess said, "I'll take care of Mister Numarkos's needs, Kallista."

"Well, I doubt you can see to his needs as well as I," she said, sounding very much like she was pouting and a little jealous, "but I will await your return in this stuffy ship, Master."

"You're sweet, Kallista, thank you." He indicated Sera. "This is Sera Rendix, Captain of Allegra's Heart. Sera crossed her arms, not bothering with a handshake. Varun continued, "I wonder if we could resupply before we leave? I'm happy to pay Imperial standard rates. I'll just need an itemized receipt for all purchases. For Accounting, you see."

"That can be arranged with the dockmaster," Forstner said, looking sour. "Your ship will be secured and placed under guard."

"Ah, I have instruments onboard, equipment for my survey work. I'll need access to those," Taz put in quickly.

"You may collect equipment as needed, Doctor, just let my office know. You will not transmit or receive any communications, nor use any equipment to scan this facility. Unauthorized use of your ship will result in its destruction and the immediate detention of survivors. Any questions?"

"None, Lieutenant Forstner," Varun acknowledged.

Sera collected their weapons. "I'll take these back. Contact me if you need anything, Mister Numarkos. Come on, Kallista, back to my stuffy ship for you." They retreated up the ramp and Sera fixed the luxury droid with what looked like a very real frown.

"Thank you again, Captain Rendix," Varun called after her, then turned back to Forstner. "We're in your hands, Lieutenant. What next?"

"Director Tafo wants to see you."

"Wonderful, I was hoping to speak to him as soon as practicable."

"We'll arrange lodging for your party and the ship's crew while you're here."

"That's very hospitable of you, Forstner. By the way, do you have a first name?"

"Lieutenant," she pronounced.

"Of course," he replied, the corner of his mouth twitching. "Lead the way, Forstner. I'm sure you have more important duties than chaperoning the likes of us."

The lieutenant executed a precise about-face. Two guards fell in behind her, the other two following the new arrivals. They walked along a permacrete lane that was broad enough for a speeder, but more likely intended for foot traffic. As they left the landing port behind the terrain flattened into well-manicured purple and green grassland. The lane was bordered by crushed white stone with lamp posts every ten meters or so. Atop every other post, a surveillance camera swiveled back and forth in a mechanical pattern.

Varun saw a few soldiers clad in the Imperial gray-green uniforms, but most of the foot traffic wore either the rust-red jumpsuits of their escort, or civilian clothes. He glanced at Tess, who was likewise taking everything in. He knew that she was searching the faces for two specific people, though, and might not be paying attention to other details. He could hardly blame her, but thought, I hope Oktos-grasha is being more comprehensive.

The workers moving about looked healthy, clean, and by all outward appearances, content. They conversed among themselves, walking in small groups. None of the dozens of pedestrians seemed to be under duress. Varun noted no fences, overseers, guard towers, or guards for that matter. For a slave labor camp, security seemed to be unusually light.

They passed by the residential quarter, fronted by a broad park-like plaza full of stout trees with spiky multicolored leaves as long as Varun's forearm. Perhaps a dozen children played there, ranging from young toddlers shepherded by their mothers, to early teens. Some of the children looked at the newcomers with intense curiosity. The adults, too, now that he thought about it, though they seemed more circumspect. Just what kind of labor camp is this?

Forstner and the group turned toward the tight cluster of buildings they'd noted on their landing approach, all painted Imperial gray. Traffic thinned considerably and most of that was uniformed staff. They entered a long building that stretched back into the administrative cluster and branched into a tee. A square tower extended for several stories from the back of the building. It was by far the tallest structure in the camp. The top floor was glazed all around. Varun could just make out a few antenna dishes on the roof.

At the end of the short hallway, double doors opened on a big lift. Two of the guards stayed behind while the rest of the party ascended to the penthouse office four floors up. The lift doors slid aside and the remaining guards exited. Lieutenant Forstner turned to Varun. "The Director's office is just there," she said, pointing at a set of double transparisteel doors that were a milky white. "Good day, Manager Numarkos."

"Thanks for your hospitality, Forstner," Varun said, giving her a casual wave as he exited. The others followed. He picked out the six-lensed surveillance cameras in the corners of the short antechamber, monitoring and recording their every step.

Director Tafo's office was a spacious dozen meters square. Three-meter high transparisteel glazing let the natural light flood in. Suspended on pairs of wires all along the perimeter of the office were black metal frames holding blueprints and engineering drawings of intricate devices. There might have been forty or fifty of them in the room.

The great space was empty save for a massive desk made of black polymer. Behind it sat a middle-aged man. His brown hair was graying at the sides where it was closely trimmed. He had a fleshy face with dark, inquiring eyes and heavy lids, wrinkled at the temples. His Imperial uniform was devoid of insignia or a rank plaque, although two code cylinders rode in each of his tunic's shoulder pockets. Undoubtedly the lack of furnishings was intended to reinforce his status as one who is waited upon, not the opposite.

Behind him stood a woman, a few years younger. Her light hair was pulled back and tied. She had piercing blue eyes, a sharp nose and somewhat angular chin. Her thin lips had the slightest trace of a frown. Her uniform was the same grayish green and, like his, it lacked insignia. She wore a single pair of code cylinders in her left shoulder pocket. On her belt was a compact blaster pistol.

"Director Tillisk Tafo, I presume?" Varun said, striding forward to meet the man in front of his desk. He took the other's hand in a firm handshake. "I'm Varun Numarkos, representing TaggeCo's Cultural Preservation Initiative."

"Manager Numarkos, your arrival is most… unexpected."

Varun smiled. "So I've heard, Director. Of course when our explorer team made their survey three decades back, this was an abandoned planet. But when some logs from your mining operation found their way to our research staff, our team took a renewed interest. Isn't that right, Doctor Oktos?"

Taz started at his name and turned from the framed rendering he'd been staring at. "Hmm? Oh, yes indeed, Manager Numarkos."

"Ah you must be Doctor Tazbarada Oktos. Welcome to Beta Fonidian Two, Doctor," Tafo exclaimed, genuinely enthusiastic. "You know I'm an engineer by training but research was always my first passion. I especially enjoy reading monographs. I have quite an extensive library of research journals. I can't say I recall seeing any of your works though, Doctor."

"I'm pretty new to the field, Director. Truth be told, this is something of a first for me."

"Yes," Varun followed smoothly, "Doctor Oktos was one of CPI's research assistants. He's only recently been recommended for independent field work. You might call this his debut."

"Wonderful!" Tafo waggled a finger at Taz. "I do hope you'll enjoy your time here, Doctor. I'll look forward to reading the results of your surveys." He looked back and forth between the two men. "Oktos and Numarkos. Your names bear a passing similarity, as do your accents, if I'm not mistaken."

"We're both from Filve, as it happens," Varun spoke up. "The colony ship that brought our ancestors there was seeded with a handful of clans from Ionia before its sun exploded—what was that, Doctor, twelve thousand years ago? Anyway, small galaxy."

"Indeed."

Varun turned to Tess. "And this is my assistant, Tessa Daro."

Tafo's eyes flickered. "Daro, you say?" He took her hand and rubbed it lightly with his thumb. The woman behind the desk stiffened in the slightest degree.

"Yes, Director," Tess answered, withdrawing her hand with what she hoped wasn't visible revulsion.

Varun slipped smoothly between them. "You might say we're bulls-eyeing a few womp rats with one shot, Director. The logs from your mining operation included entries for both Jerric and Amanda Daro. Those names happen to be a match for Miss Daro's parents. They were detained by the Empire some years ago. We'd like to meet with them during our stay, if that's possible."

"This is a busy installation, Mister Numarkos," Tafo stated, his jaw grinding for an instant. He flashed the briefest, flat-eyed smile at Tess, "but I'm sure we can reach some kind of accommodation. We'll see what we can do."

"Of course, Director. We've no intention of impacting what must be important work for the Empire. On that topic, I'd also like to discuss some new advances in materials processing that TaggeCo have developed. I'm quite certain we could increase the efficiency of your operation by a substantial margin."

"That will be an interesting topic indeed, Numarkos." Tafo glanced at the woman behind the desk, then back to Varun. He swept his hand back to indicate her. "My adjutant, Vaniel Ruatha."

The woman nodded. "Welcome to Rho Two-Seventy-seven," she intoned. Her face betrayed no emotion and she seemed inclined to listen while Tafo did the talking.

Numarkos put a hand lightly on Tafo's shoulder. He pointed at the framed illustrations hanging from taut wires that ran from floor to ceiling. "These seem most unusual, Director."

"Ah, you've noticed my collection, have you?" He walked over with Varun. Taz and Tess were a step behind. "What do you think of them?"

They moved from frame to frame, examining a half dozen of them as if they were regarding a gallery of artistic works. Indeed, there was a kind of beauty to them. Each appeared to be painstakingly drawn out by hand, illustrating in the finest detail the individual components of intricate mechanisms.

Tafo looked most pleased at their impressed reactions. "An avocation of mine is to collect engineering drafts of ancient machines. This one illustrates one of the first successful hyperdrive motivators."

"Wow," Taz effused, awestruck. "Are these original plans?"

Tafo chuckled. "Most of them are reproductions, Doctor. I've carefully researched each one from primary sources, though, then commissioned the prints from exceptional drafters throughout the galaxy. It is, I like to think, a labor of love, though an expensive one to be sure."

"They're certainly impressive," Taz mused. "The research alone must've taken—"

"Efficient research techniques are imperative for this work. But it must be the same for your studies. Is that not the case, Doctor Oktos?"

"Um, absolutely, Director."

"I myself favor Tallaber's Ablution method, but Viridias-Mor has also documented some intriguing algorithms. Being a man engaged in research, I'd be interested in your thoughts on the matter."

Varun smiled at Taz, but his eyes flashed a warning. "Yes, Doctor, do you have an opinion?"

"I, ah, prefer an holistic approach. I'm not the 'one size fits all' type."

Tafo's jowls accentuated his frown. "Most unusual for a researcher, I have to say. Surely you have one approach, favored over the others."

Taz looked a little uncertain. Whatever else he was, Tafo was sharp. He scrambled for an answer that wouldn't get him into more trouble. "There is the, ah, Nanvarr exploratory method. It's a Fereaxian technique."

The Director looked intrigued. "I'm not familiar with that method."

"The Fereax explored the galaxy some millennia ago. Their race has died out as far as I know. I'm sorry to say that I left my recording of Nanvarr's method back home."

Varun interjected brightly, "When we return I'll be sure to have a copy of the doctor's recording sent to you, Director."

"I'd like that very much." Tafo led them around the rest of the perimeter, spending a few minutes at each one. Over two hours later the tour finally finished. He returned to his desk and read a notification on the display panel. "Quarters have been assigned to you." He pressed a button and the doors opened. The two guards who had accompanied them entered. "Carndash and Stetter will escort you back to your ship to pick up your belongings."

"Thank you, Director. Your hospitality and assistance will figure prominently in my report to the Board."

Varun and the others turned to leave. They were nearly at the door when Ruatha spoke up. "Tell me about your ship."

Varun turned. "I beg your pardon?"

"Your ship. It doesn't appear to be a class used by TaggeCo."

Varun wagged a finger. "You have a discerning eye, Adjutant Ruatha. Allegra's Heart is an independent transport that I chartered for Doctor Oktos's survey work."

"Why not take a TaggeCo ship? They have thousands in their fleet."

"Indeed they do. But, truth be told, it's a failing of the bureaucracy. The left hand didn't know what the right was doing."

"Would you care to elaborate, Manager Numarkos?"

"If you insist."

"I do."

"Very well. We secured funding for the survey mission and scheduled the trip, only to find that there were no ships available to us. I regret to say that programs like the CPI often find ourselves at the bottom of the priority list for transport assignments." Numarkos wore a disappointed look to reinforce the point. "Rather than lose our budget to other projects, we elected to charter a commercial transport. Have you ever been in business, Adjutant? I can assure you these sorts of things happen more often than any of us would wish."

Ruatha made no response, but flicked her hand in dismissal. "You'll clear your work through my office, Manager. You'll submit your survey findings to my office as well."

"Of course, Adjutant," Varun gave her a bland smile. "If you'll excuse us." He ushered Taz and Tessa from the office. The doors closed behind them.

"What do you make of them, Ruatha?" Tillisk asked when they'd left.

"Too many coincidences. Two of them are from the same planet and the woman's parents just happen to be here?" Ruatha scoffed. "I don't know why they've come but I guarantee it's not to investigate old ruins." She crossed her arms. "I'll tell you again, security is too lax, Director. If you're not going to detain them, then at least post security at the mine entrances, the data vault, and the defense stations. And that ship should be impounded and searched."

Tafo had always tolerated Ruatha's paranoia; she was as responsible for the success of Rho-277 as he was, in her own way. Moreover, as the highest ranking political officer on the facility she wielded a lot of authority. But her irrationality annoyed him. "I'll consider raising the security posture. Beyond your suppositions, do you have any evidence that they're not who they say they are?"

"I might have if you would let me search their vessel and interrogate them properly."

"I have no interest in earning the Tagge Company's ire if we use too heavy a hand. Eighty percent of our mining and processing equipment is made by TaggeCo. Their engineers are on our technical staff." He tapped his fingertips together. "If they are who they say they are, they'll run their surveys and be gone. If they aren't, I'm certain your surveillance will uncover something."

"What about the Daro woman?"

Tafo thought for a moment. Tessa Daro's dark eyes were certainly compelling. She was the kind of woman who'd filled his dreams as a younger, less powerful man. And, for all of the advantages of his station as Director, it was a lonely job. Perhaps he could get something of value in return for letting her see them. "I see no harm in a meeting. Assign Jerric and Amanda Daro to greet our guests. They are to say nothing about our operations here, though."

"And if they use the Daros to sow some kind of dissent?"

"Then you will have your excuse to arrest and interrogate them."

Ruatha moved toward the door. "We'll do things your way for now, Tafo. Just remember, responsibility for the secrecy and security of this operation lies with you. If these Tagge people aren't who they seem to be, you'll be the one to pay the price." Her glare seemed to linger in the air long after she marched out of the office.