“Do you understand now,” Montero asked Adela, “why I’ve limited the size of the delegation to the Joint Dominion?”
Adela looked squarely at him and considered her words judiciously. Where just a short time earlier she might have willingly let her anger at his decision speak for her, Nelon’s presentation of what was happening on the planet below told both her and Woorunmarra that Montero had truly made his decision based on honest fear for their safety.
“Yes, I do understand your concerns, Commander; but I have been chosen by Emperor Javas himself to represent the Hundred Worlds in this matter. He and I both knew the risks involved before we set out from Sol. Admittedly, with this new information there may be more of a threat hidden here than any of us thought; but I accepted the risks, as did he, and am perfectly willing to go through with my part. Can you do any less?”
Woorunmarra cleared his throat. “If I may speak?” Montero was clearly prepared to listen to their arguments, and motioned for him to go on. “I’m afraid I have to agree with Dr. Montgarde. It’s well known now throughout the Hundred Worlds that the project has begun and that she plays the most important role in its successful completion. With that comes the knowledge the Emperor—represented by you and the full power of the weaponry on this starship—would most certainly punish any world responsible for harmin’ her. For this very reason, Dr. Montgarde would probably be the safest member of the diplomatic team while on the planet.”
“That’s probably true,” Montero agreed, “but it is no less true that if something were to happen to Dr. Montgarde while she was planetside, the project might be irreparably set back.” He turned to Adela, raising an eyebrow. “Are you prepared to accept that risk, Doctor?”
Adela smiled. “Perhaps my actual importance has been exaggerated a bit, for the sake of good public relations.” The Commander’s brow furrowed momentarily, and a puzzled look swept over his features. “What I mean is that I am not entirely indispensable to the project. Everything I’ve researched—the formulae, the equations, the resources and needs—is a matter of Imperial record.” She sighed heavily as she realized the implications of what she was saying. She knew it was true, but had never admitted it to herself. “It’s true that I am the driving force behind the project and that the progress of the preparatory research and development of ships and materials might be slowed down somewhat by my absence. However, the project has almost taken on a life of its own. Most of the Hundred Worlds have embraced our efforts as a way of revitalizing themselves and their economies. The scientific community within the Empire is already seeing benefits and new discoveries from the early research.”
She paused, allowing her smile to return before adding, “Even Commander Fain sees the advantages to be gained in increased fleet strength.”
Montero looked from her to Woorunmarra, then back to her again. “Go on.”
“Commander, half of my work—the original research, and convincing Emperor Nicholas of its worthiness—is finished. The other half won’t take place until very near the end of the project many generations from now. The most important thing I can do now is to represent the project and smooth its forward motion, to convince those still uncertain of its validity.” She stood and approached the holographic image of Pallatin. In the time they’d spoken, additional lines of power routing had appeared, further crisscrossing the planet’s surface. “Don’t you see? If I’m to be excluded from the legitimate diplomatic functions of this mission, then I fail to understand why I’m here at all. I might as well get back in the tank and sleep until my scientific abilities are required.”
Clearly weakening, Montero rubbed tiredly at his temples as he addressed her. “You are an integral part of my duties here, Dr. Montgarde, I won’t—can’t deny it. But you are also the single most important aspect of the reason behind our mission here. I’ve made no secret of my doubts for this plan to save Earth’s Sun. But then again, were it not for your project, the opportunity to bring some of the more recalcitrant members of the Hundred Worlds into line might never have arisen. For that I am truly grateful. And who knows? Perhaps this idea that has so captured Emperor Javas and Commander Fain is a worthy goal after all. If that is so, then we all win. Please, be seated.”
Adela returned to her chair, glancing once at Woorunmarra, who couldn’t hide the look of approval on his dark features and made no attempt to do so.
“Did you know that I met with the Emperor before we left?” he asked, his face glowing pleasantly with the memory. “I’ve never been nervous or frightened of anything since joining the Imperial Forces. Until then. He and Commander Fain wanted to speak to me personally before the Levant set out, to tell me how important it was that this mission be successful. They told me I was to do anything, make any decision that I felt would increase our chances of a favorable outcome. But the Emperor also told me to trust your judgment, Doctor. Now, why do you suppose he said that?”
Adela had no answer for the rhetorical question and waited silently for him to continue.
“Very well,” he said at last. “You will accompany Lieutenant Woorunmarra to the Joint Dominion.” He stood and extended his hand, first to her, then Woorunmarra.
“Good luck to both of you.”
Chapter Twenty-One
The chamber was filled to capacity, although Adela didn’t actually find it necessary to look for empty seats to prove it. The sound level alone told her that there could not possibly be room for more people in here. The Dominion chamber had been designed along the lines of an amphitheater or lecture halclass="underline" a circular arrangement of comfortable seats placed at long, curved tables tiered row upon row. At each seat, the light of a shaded lamp reflected off a flat-panel keypad mounted flush in the tabletop before every representative. A long, steep set of steps bisected the circle of seats, with the representatives from districts in Eastland seated on one side, while those from Westland occupied the seats on the other. Behind her, mounted on the curved wall, was a tally board listing the names of each of the representatives; all the names glowed softly on the board and were divided, with those from Westland listed in order according to their numerical district on the left side, while the representatives from Eastland were on the right.
Adela let her eyes scan up the inclining rows to where a double balcony of spectators, similarly divided, overlooked the proceedings in the chamber. Those seated there were every bit as animated as the representatives below them. At each doorway, at the top and bottom of the steps, and at the end of every tenth row, a Dominion security officer stood and watched the unruly crowd with nervous eyes. The entire thing reminded her of the Grisian Parliament, although her homeworld had nothing that compared with this huge chamber and, more importantly, had never seen this much turmoil and disagreement during a parliamentary session.
Her prepared address before the Joint Dominion had been well received at first, or rather, it had been well received from the Westland side of the chamber. The Eastland representatives had listened to her politely, but silently, for the most part, and it wasn’t until the floor had been opened for questions that the real pandemonium had set in. Members of both sides of the chamber were shouting and arguing not only with those on the other side but among themselves as well. Several were on their feet as they demonstrated, and it seemed that actual physical confrontation might be imminent at several spots in the big room. If the disorder in the chamber was any indication, her address had been entirely wasted on them.