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what I had to do to get us out alive. Wouldn’t you have done the same thing?"
    Jacelon fell silent, her expression reflective. “If I had a child in my care, I might. I can relate on a different level too. I’m responsible for the people on Gamma VI and those who inhabit the space around here. I’m prepared to use brute force to keep them safe as long as I abide by SC law.”
    Kellen realized she was slurring her words and losing her ability to pronounce Premoni properly, but she couldn’t help herself. “Unlawful or not, the weapons came in handy when we kept running into bands of pirates.”
    “And this happened three weeks ago? You must have traveled at maximum field-distortion drive to get this far.”
    “I was trying to reach SC space before the Onotharians caught up with us. I had to. I can’t possibly get a fair trial on Gantharat.” Kellen yawned. “I’m sorry. It’s the medication.”
    “I’m glad it’s taking effect.” The commodore rose. In a gesture that seemed close to tender, she tugged the blankets up around Kellen. “I can’t guarantee the outcome, but this is my space station, my jurisdiction, and I’ll make sure the Council considers everything you’ve told me.”
    Kellen wanted to believe her. She sensed compassion in Jacelon’s gaze and warm hands, and something else, a hint of steadfast integrity. But she had learned the hard way not to trust anyone, especially someone like the commodore. Only by remaining on her guard, not confiding in a single soul, had she and Armeo managed to get away from that last close call. She was not about to relax her stance.
    Feeling drowsy and weak, she cursed herself for giving in and allowing Jacelon to administer the pain relief. It could be the last mistake she ever made. “Understand this, Commodore,” she murmured huskily, the medication beginning to take over. “I can’t let them take him from me. Armeo’s too good for them…He knows nothing about their world.”
    Jacelon looked as if she was about to address what Kellen had just said but, if so, she changed her mind. “Try to get some sleep, Kellen. The ambassador’s vessels will be right on the perimeter of SC space tomorrow.”
    Kellen closed her eyes as sleep began to overtake her. “Armeo…”
    “Is safe. Rest now.”
    The last thing Kellen heard was the door open and close when Jacelon left.

    *

    Mr. M’Indo, the ambassador’s attaché, was obviously displeased. A short, bony man with a distinctly protruding nose, he stood by an elaborate desk in an equally impressive room and twisted his long, skinny fingers around each other. He restated the ambassador’s demands and glared at Rae from the large computer screen in her office. Nearly paper-thin, the screen sat on slim titanium rods and almost hovered above her desk as she placed her left index finger on the fingerprint scan.
    “We must have proper escort when we enter Supreme Constellations space,” the attaché demanded. “The ambassador is dependent on his cruiser, four destroyers, and seven frigates.”
    Rae tapped her fingers on her thigh beneath the desk and addressed the pompous little man. “Listen to me, Mr. M’Indo. Your nation has signed a treaty with the SC that clearly states that no nation may approach any of the Gamma stations with more than two vessels. This safety precaution is nonnegotiable.”
    “So is the ambassador’s request that you make an exception. The treaty also states that you as a commodore can do so.” The Onotharian smiled smugly, clasping his hands behind his back and rocking back and forth on his feet.
    “I don’t see why he needs such a large entourage.” Rae slowly crossed her legs as she sat in her command chair in her office, making sure she looked relaxed and confident in order to irritate the attaché. Her office was located behind circular transparent aluminum walls in the heart of the triangular mission room on deck 1. Outside, twenty-two traffic controllers and security