In two short hours, the Syndicate would call them back to the meeting room. The SSA would deliver its answer, and Iruedim would either receive help or regain three hopeless explorers.

Camellia and her friends waited in the same green room. This time Camellia lay back in her chair, eyes closed. She had spent the night stressed about both Iruedim and Alim’s advances.

For Iruedim, she had done her best, and that helped put her worries to rest. If the Syndicate could or would not help, then Camellia would settle into the despair, return home, and watch her world become something else. It should bother her more, but it didn’t.

As for Alim, she spent significantly more time worried about him. Here he was – interested in her. Camellia had warned him that she could not participate in short term relationships because of Groazan culture. He countered with a statement about a long-term relationship, and again, she deterred him, saying she needed to concentrate on Iruedim’s troubles. What she really felt was something he would hate to hear.

I’m still interested in Adalhard, despite being separated from him for over a month. I still want him, and Alim is not enough to turn my affections.

Camellia kept the harsh words to herself – as she should. Now, tired from her long night of worries, Camellia tried to doze in the chair.

The previous night, Meladee also struggled to find sleep. She worried about Iruedim’s problems, but worried more about Ah’nee’thit’s spell clue, given to them by Alastronia’s puppet. Meladee had puzzled over the mix of spells most of the night, prompted by the most random encounter.

While in the park, Benham and Meladee had witnessed a small boy and his awesome collection of interchangeable robot parts. He kept taking his toy apart and recreating it some other way.

It got Meladee thinking what if that’s what Ah’nee’thit wanted me to do? Maybe, the message isn’t – oh hey, here’s some spells to try. Maybe, it’s a make my own kind of thing. Mix and match and create a bunch of new spells.

In the middle of the park, Meladee had whapped Benham on the arm and all but shouted Eureka. To Benham’s credit, he sat with her through the afternoon, and tried to help her figure everything out.

Eva never bothered to sleep. What kept her up was solely her concern for Iruedim. How could she sleep when help for her continent hung on the words of a few aliens?

Sten, the synthetic man, thought the Syndicate would give them aid. At least, he implied it, and he would be coming.

Wonderful. Eva’s thought marinated in sarcasm.

“I suppose he’ll be here today,” Eva said.

Camellia’s eyes fluttered open. “Hmmm? Who?”

“Sten.” It came out darker and meaner than Eva intended.

Meladee narrowed her eyes. “You got a problem with him?”

“Of course not.”

Meladee looked at Camellia. “She’s got a problem with him.” She jabbed a thumb in Eva’s direction. “Looks like you’ve both got man problems now.”

“I do not have man problems,” Eva said, disturbed by the accusation. She hated when organics insinuated a relationship between her and another android. It was something she didn’t miss about old Lurren – being treated like a doll. Still, she’d take organics over other synthetics any day, at least androids. “I have problems with other androids.”

“What kind of problems?” Camellia asked.

“I don’t like them.”

“Oh.” Camellia put a hand to her face. “Right. We knew that.” In her sleepless state, she seemed less stable.

“So, what?” Meladee asked. “You like being the only android? You only like cute little robots?”

“The androids are responsible for Lurren’s current predicament. Or, did you forget? They never acted when they should have,” Eva said.

By now, Eva really thought Meladee and Camellia should share her dislike of androids, but then again, they had never met that brand of Lurrien synthetics.

Meladee and Camellia exchanged a glance.

Camellia sighed. “I know. We all think they’ve made terrible mistakes, but, Sten wants to help. His actions are literally opposite those of the Lurrien androids. Just...just give him a chance,” Camellia said.

Eva never answered.

“Hey.” Meladee smiled. “Allow me to lighten the mood. I think I’ve cracked that little puzzle Ah’nee’thit sent via Alastronia, the bitch supreme.”

Camellia and Eva’s heads whipped to attention.

Meladee grinned. “Yeah. I think I’ve made a few spells that might actually damage those monsters. I can’t wait to try them.”

Eva perked up. If Meladee could make a magic strong enough to destroy Ul’thetos, they might not need the Syndicate’s help.

Eva said, “I hope we haven’t wasted our time coming out here.”

“I don’t think so.” Meladee shrugged. “‘Cause I had a great time on that cruise ship.”

Camellia’s mouth curled in a small smile. “Any time spent learning about another culture is not wasted.” Camellia turned sleepy eyes to Eva. “I’m so glad we came out here. Thank you, Eva.”

Eva nodded, feeling the mood go sombre.

“Oh hey!” Meladee added. “I’ve also been thinking about that weird mirror you have.”

Camellia stiffened.

“You know that Volanter thing. Maybe, it’s some kind of self-help device.” Meladee headed off Camellia’s objection with a wave. “Just hear me out. Maybe, Volanters used it for therapy. You know...solve a few puzzles, say wow I feel better, and get on with life.”

Camellia, now fully awake, adopted a stern demeanor. “That is not what it is.”

A long pause followed.

Eva had given little consideration to the Obsidian Mirror. She only knew the basics of the thing and that Camellia considered it a terrible object. Why Camellia kept it, Eva didn’t know.

“I was just thinking,” Meladee said, with a scowl.

Camellia bowed her head. “I know. I’m sorry. A long time ago, I briefly thought the same. But, the only way for that mirror to be a therapy device is if Volanters held the belief that only the strongest should survive. We know they didn’t. They had rules to help imperfect individuals in their society. And…other Iruedians have had different ideas of what that mirror should be used for. Things like torture and…” Camellia shook her head. “The Vetouins…”

“How bad are these games?” Meladee asked, laughing a little. “Puzzles designed by your own mind? How can that be so hard?”

“It’s harder than you realize, and you solve all the puzzles under a haze of dream logic. I don’t know what the mirror is for.” Camellia rose from her seat. “I hear Benham in the hall. I think they’re coming to get us for the meeting.”

Eva rose as well and thought, with that, the conversation is closed.

The Syndicate for Sentient Aid gathered in the same meeting room. This time Camellia, Meladee, and Eva took seats on the stadium benches. Camellia felt glad of it. She didn’t want to face the entire gathering again. Alim, and Benham sat on the ends, boxing the women in.

The Syndicate filled the rest of the stadium seating, and at the podium, stood its spokesperson, Chardon. Chardon was a reptilian man, and now that Camellia was more familiar with him, she recognized him by his voice and unique facial markings. At the back of the stage, waited Sten.

“An encouraging sign,” Alim whispered to Camellia.

In response, she half-nodded.

The Syndicate hushed, and everyone waited for Spokesperson Chardon to speak. He hissed, his version of a throat clear. “The Syndicate for Sentient Aid has decided in favor of sending help to Iruedim.” He paused and gave the Iruedians his version of a smile. He showed a lot of teeth.

Camellia smiled too and exchanged a happy glance with Meladee and Eva.

Chardon continued, “Sten, our leading multidisciplinary scientist, will head the project. The Syndicate has also approved xenobiologist Alim Tomain’s request to join the expedition. He will serve as leading xenobiologist and is granted an automatic sabbatical from his workplace.”

Camellia glanced at Alim, an apology for his sacrifice on the tip of her tongue. She also worried that he may try to pursue that long-term relationship. At her glance, he smiled, and she turned her wide eyes back to Spokesperson Chardon.

“Now, I will turn the floor over to Sten, and he will detail his plan to aid Iruedim.”

Chardon sat down, and Sten, the trim, bronze synthetic approached the podium.

Sten began, “Two of these creatures inhabit Iruedim, and as of now, their only weakness is subzero temperatures. The creatures are themselves sentient, reproduce through budding and sexual contact, and grow exceptionally large. They can infect and control other sentients and do not respect those sentients’ rights. We have established that these creatures cannot coexist with the Iruedians, but destroying them will be a challenge.”

As Sten spoke, a summary of the research displayed on the board behind him. He paused and changed the display to show a summary of an ideal outcome.

“To be effective, our aid has to remove all trace of the creatures from Iruedim. Infected sentients would ideally be cured, and Iruedians would resume life as usual. Thus, my proposal.”

Again, Sten changed the slide to show a map of Iruedim. “First, we need to determine how widespread are the infestation and infection. The larger creature should be confined to the northwestern continent, known as Lurren. The younger and smaller creature should itself be confined to a city on an island. However, it can contact Iruedians from its prison and already has a cult following. We will need to locate all members of this cult. After we have every cult member in custody, we must neutralize the smaller creature. I propose moving it off planet.”

Eva stood. “Move it off planet?”

“Yes, we will secure it to the underside of a ship, and simply relocate it.”

“What if it infects your ship?” Eva said.

“That’s a valid concern.” Sten changed his display. Now, it showed a modified ship, with the lower decks blown open. “We will intentionally damage an older ship, leaving the lower decks open to vacuum. A skeleton crew will fly the ship to a suitable planet, leave the creature and the ship, and depart in smaller vessels that will follow behind in a caravan. No contact will be permitted between the creature’s ship and those of our people. As for thought control, we will use the method you employed when you recaptured your Lurrien ship. Protective measures will only be required on Iruedim and the new host planet. Space will be too cold for the creature to send telepathic messages.”

“What if it dies when you take it into space?” Camellia asked.

Meladee and Eva stared at her in disbelief. Camellia felt their eyes. She ignored them.

Sten stood straight and tall. “Dr. Tomain’s research suggests the creature evolved to float through space, hibernating, until it reached a suitable home. Once they are big enough, they may be able to detach from their host planet and relocate. Do not fear, Miss Zaris. The problem is not accidentally killing one but rather intentionally doing so. We will find a home for the younger one, where it can live its life in peace, without infringing on the lives of others.” Sten smiled.

Camellia nodded. She felt happier about Ah’nee’thit’s proposed future than she had expected.

Sten continued, “Once we have accomplished that phase of the plan, we will treat the infected individuals. We need more information to create a suitable treatment, so I will leave those details till later. Unfortunately, captivity or euthanasia may be our only hope for certain individuals. Though, from your accounts, it seems likely that most of the individuals are merely controlled and not infected.”

Sten paused and changed his display to a plan for Lurren. “Our next objective will be to obtain information about the larger creature. This creature poses a lesser threat as its rate of growth will not allow it to reach warm waters for another 150 years. However, once it does reach those warm waters, it could overrun the planet in a century. If your size estimate is accurate, then we will not be able to move this one. Destroying the creature with orbital weapons is a possibility, but such an action will destroy the land rather than restore it. We may be able to cut the creature strategically to force its flesh to necrotize. If we do so at the end of summer, the creature will have no way to regenerate. Then, we could remove the inert flesh and relocate the remainder of the living creature. We will have to locate its point of origin – where it keeps its brain. Do you have that information?”

Eva shook her head. She sat stiff, stiffer than usual. Camellia wondered why the plan provoked that reaction in Eva. Could it be Eva disliked Sten so much that she felt belittled by his question?

“Unfortunate, but we will obtain it,” Sten said. “I have already chosen the ships for this endeavor. Most of us will travel in the warship Fauchard, with Lieutenant Commander Rooks.” Sten nodded to the commander.

Camellia turned to find Rooks seated just behind them. With wide eyes, Camellia stared. Rooks smiled and did nothing to hide her amusement.

Sten changed his display to show the ships and their roles in the plan. “A skeleton crew will travel on the warship Cleydef. This ship, which is about to be retired, will be sacrificed to the smaller creature. Three smaller vessels will follow.”

Sten stepped to the side and allowed Chardon to take the podium.

“Now.” Chardon grapsed the podium with his claws. “We will need to discuss expectations of Iruedim and receive the location of your world. Once Iruedim is free of the infestation, Iruedians will be expected to participate in the galaxy as a whole. Iruedim will be expected to join the Finial. You will elect a representative to speak for your planet, and you will be expected to contribute. Is this clear?”

Oh no. Camellia looked at her friends.

Meladee seemed worried but not surprised. Eva looked angry.

Camellia had to admit; this was a problem. How could she agree to join the Finial on behalf of Iruedim? Even if her choice affected her alone, she wouldn’t choose to join the Finial.

Camellia answered, “We can’t make that decision without speaking to our governments first. And, there are countries on Iruedim with which we have little to no contact. They should have a say too. Can’t we…?”

“If Iruedim is not a united planet, you will have difficulty joining the Finial. And, I must say, if you did not have the authority to speak for Iruedim, you should not have sought aid,” Chardon said.

Camellia’s cheeks burned. She stood up. “We are the only people who have gotten off the planet in three thousand years.”

But, we could have gone back for others, Camellia reminded herself. At the realization, her cheeks burned hotter. She tried to assure herself that she, Eva, and Meladee had done the right thing. She told herself, The AAH and Groaza would never have come here and asked for help – if they take the threat seriously at all. They might still be making merry while Ah’nee’thit makes its plans. We may be the only ones taking care of this.

She took a deep breath. “Wouldn’t it be possible for our planet to receive aid and then have a waiting period to work out some kind of payment?”

Sten nodded and tried to break in, “Spokesman Chardon, perhaps we should consider…”

Chardon ignored Sten. “Payment? We are not asking for payment. Simply that you participate in Girandolan affairs. You are part of this galaxy, and the expectation that you should assume a role in it is not a demand for payment.”

“Except that’s exactly what it is,” Camellia said. And, we aren’t part of this galaxy...not forever at least. “We asked for your help, and you need something in return. That’s payment.”

Chardon opened his mouth to speak. His hundreds of fangs showed.

Meladee interrupted, “I knew this would happen.”

Eva stared straight ahead.

Chardon stiffened. “Iruedim cannot receive aid if the three of you do not have the authority to ask for it. You will need to contact your governments before we proceed.”

Behind her, Camellia heard a russel of fabric. She turned around.

Commander Rooks stood. “If I may interrupt.”

She had better luck than Sten, who slunk to the back of the room looking somewhat chastised.

Once Rooks had everyone’s attention, she said, “It is my understanding that the Syndicate has an altruistic mandate. Aid without investment, and the Syndicate is supposed to be independent of the Finial. It is my opinion that you are demonstrating neither quality at this time.”

Chardon sighed. “Commander, I disagree. We are well within our mandate. The request to join the Finial is to Iruedim’s benefit.”

“If it is solely for Iruedim’s benefit, then there is no reason we could not render aid now and wait to help the planet take its steps towards membership. Or, are you not acting independently of the Finial?” Rooks raised her eyebrows.

Camellia felt a flicker of hope. She looked to Chardon.

Chardon said, “I respect your position Commander. You’re right. The Syndicate should offer aid to planets without government influence, but sometimes we have to use government resources. Your ships, for instance. Realistically, most of the planets we help are already part of the Finial or have a relationship with it. That is how we justify pulling military personnel for those projects. Frankly, certain officials are asking questions about this project, especially given the threat.” Chardon waved Rooks back into her seat. “Now, I am afraid you have no authority in this discussion. Please, sit back down.”

Rooks scowled, but did as she was asked.

Camellia saw Iruedim’s aid slipping away. She, Meladee, and Eva needed to have a private conversation – now. But, if we leave and try to return later, would we lose our audience?

Yes, of course you would, insisted her darker voice. You might even lose the aid.

Still standing, Camellia turned to her friends, and in Groazan asked, “Do you think we should go back and try to get approval from all the governments on Iruedim?”

Meladee answered first, “If we do that, we may never get back here. I bet there’s loads of Iruedians who would say this help is an invitation for invasion. If you ask me, it really sounds like it too. Maybe, we should just forget it.”

Eva spoke next. “Are you absolutely certain the spells you worked out will hurt the creatures?”

Meladee shrugged. “Of course not.”

Camellia put her hands to her temples. “Meladee, I was really hoping you had that worked out. You seemed so confident! You shouldn’t have given us that impression.”

“Hey, you two read too much into my words. I said I had spells to test. Sorry if I bragged a little too much.” Meladee threw her hands up.

“We need their aid,” Eva said. “I’m not leaving without something. Perhaps, we can buy a ship to transport Ah’nee’thit.”

“We don’t know how to use their ships,” Meladee argued.

“They’re never going to sell us a ship.” Camellia shook her head. “They don’t want to give us anything, and we’d have to pay a lot for their secrets.”

Eva opened her mouth to speak.

Chardon called, “This private conversation has gone on long enough. We have a rule here that so long as this group is in session, we will speak so everyone can understand.”

Camellia turned to Chardon. “You never informed us of that rule. And, for that matter, you also never stipulated whether or not your aid had a price.”

“A good guest would seek and learn our rules before applying for aid.”

“If the Syndicate weren’t an aid organization, I would agree.” Camellia stared hard at Chardon.

Then, she glanced around at the other members of the Syndicate. She looked at the avian, reptilian, and humanoid faces. All of them wore an expression of disgust, or pity, or both. Camellia had never been pitied by so many species at once. The ridiculousness of the situation fueled her disappointment and anger.

Camellia turned her attention back to Chardon and told him exactly what was on her mind. “Between writing my speech and trying to read through your code of conduct – which I might add is a behemoth of a text – I had very little time to become an expert in your ways.” Camellia felt warm. She gestured to herself. “And, I’m an anthropologist. It’s my job to learn about you. If I couldn’t do it, I imagine others struggle as well.”

She paused but not long enough to give Chardon a chance to speak. Camellia continued, “Imagine searching the galaxy for help, but before you can get it, you have to take a six-month course in politics!” Camellia pointed at Chardon. “You expect too much of struggling cultures, and I find myself wondering how you help anyone with different customs.”

Camellia raised a hand. “Oh, my mistake. As you previously explained to Commander Rooks, you don’t. You only help the Finial. And, from the sound of it, you go back on your morals too.”

Meladee laughed and clapped. She stood as well.

“I understand you’re angry, but the three of you are out of order. Now, please be seated,” Chardon hissed.

“I might be out of order, and I can’t see how Meladee is ever in order. But, Eva hasn’t done anything,” Camellia said.

“Some Syndicate.” Meladee rolled her eyes.

“It’s the Sentient Aid part that doesn’t fit.” Camellia crossed her arms.

“Leave this room immediately. We won’t discuss anything, until you are calm.” Chardon pointed to the door.

Camellia stormed out, and her friends followed. Camellia set the pace to Halfmoon at a trot. Meladee and Eva ran as well.

Benham and Alim shouted at them, but the women hurried to Halfmoon and locked the doors. They found the cockpit and fell into their seats.

They sat in silence, observing those outside their window. Camellia saw some security guards, dressed in Finial uniforms. She also saw Alim and Benham. Benham waved to get their attention, but Camellia looked away.

“If they move to infiltrate the ship, we’ll leave.” Eva put a hand on her forehead.

“I’m sorry, Eva.” Camellia hung her head. “I should have controlled myself. I just can’t believe these people.”

“You were great. You should do more stuff like that.” Meladee pulled one knee to her chest. She smiled, a bittersweet expression.

Eva stared into empty space. “We didn’t think this plan through. I didn’t. Again. And this time, it hasn’t worked out so well.”

Camellia nodded. “Spokesperson Chardon is right – also unlikeable.” Camellia sighed. “How presumptuous of us to try to get help for a planet that doesn’t even know we’ve gone. We should have gone back to Groaza and Tagtrum. We shouldn’t be making deals for Iruedim. You’re the only one here who has any authority to negotiate for your country.” Camellia gestured to Eva.

“No,” Eva said. “I have no authority. Just as little as you. Maybe even less. I already tried to convince the other synthetics to get help, and they disagreed. I sent out probes in secret, and now, they’re probably cursing my name.” Eva averted her eyes. “I told Tiny Tin and the others to wake the humanoid synthetics. If I wanted authority, I should never have done that.”

“Yeah, god, that was a mistake,” Meladee grumbled.

Eva slumped, ever so slightly. “In terms of cooperation, yes, but we’d roused the monster and left repair and toy robots to deal with it. They needed the androids to help.”

Camellia rubbed her temples. “What a mess. We just got scolded out of a meeting. We’re in way over our heads. What the hell were we thinking?”

“Yeah…” Meladee breathed.

“We’re here now. I don’t want to give up,” Eva said.

Camellia raised her head. She didn’t want to give up either. Maybe, the Syndicate would be willing to bargain, or maybe, they could find another group willing to execute Sten’s plan. Maybe, they could return to Iruedim and convince Groaza to send a team to purchase a ship. They could do the work themselves. That would take care of Ah’nee’thit, but what about Ul’thetos? Sten’s plan involved study of the creature. No, they couldn’t do it all themselves. They needed Sten. They needed his plan, and they probably needed the people he had chosen. Camellia bet they would find no one as capable as his proposed team.

The more Camellia thought, the more she wondered if their reaction to the Syndicate’s terms had been unfair. No, they shouldn’t advertise aid and then make governmental change a condition. Maybe, if they knew...

Camellia sighed. “We need some way to bargain for help that doesn’t involve signing Iruedim over to this coalition of planets. This Finial. Of course, they want us to join. They don’t know that Iruedim is an extragalactic planet. Should we tell them?”

“No, we don’t tell them where Iruedim is.” Meladee leaned forward. “That’s the kind of thing that could lead to an invasion. We have no idea how they’ll react. They might say their laws don’t protect us or that they won’t give us any aid at all. Yeah, let’s make sure we don’t tell them. If they invade, we’d definitely lose.”

Eva offered no suggestions. She just sat with her arms crossed.

Camellia put her chin in her hand. “Sten and Commander Rooks aren’t bureaucrats. They don’t seem interested in politics, and they both tried to defend us. Maybe, we can convince them to help us without the Syndicate’s blessing. Alim would help. God, he might walk off a cliff if I asked him.”

Camellia continued, “The ship they wanted to sacrifice is old, so maybe they would sell it. We could keep Sten’s plan intact and try to get most of the people he picked for the project...” A thought nagged at Camellia. “I wonder how much freedom Commander Rooks has to move her own ship. If she goes to Iruedim of her own free will, will she be stripped of her standing? Will she need asylum?”

Meladee bit her lower lip. “Let’s assume she has freedom or that she’s willing to throw her whole life away…” Meladee shrugged. “The Syndicate could just plant a spy on the ship, and then we’re done. Hell, we can’t even make sure that the spy doesn’t send messages while we travel. These people can make a message, send it out into the ether, and somehow the message gets where it needs to. The spy could organize an armada to enter the wormhole in a week.”

Eva still stared into blank space. “Not to mention, several Iruedians will object to the aid. But, they don’t know what’s good for them, and as far as I’m concerned, the monsters are ours to do with as we please. After all, you’re their high priestess.”

Camellia nodded. “As long as we don’t join any clubs on behalf of Iruedim, I tend to agree. We should be able to take action against Ah’nee’thit and Ul’thetos without the blessing of others.”

“Right, so that just leaves the armada and the invasion. What do we do about that?” Meladee spread her hands.

“Hmmm.” Camellia searched her thoughts for another idea. Her mind felt blank.

“He won’t help,” Eva said.

“Who won’t help?” Meladee asked.

“Sten. Though, perhaps...he might,” Eva pondered aloud.

“Wish I knew what you were thinking to change your mind so quickly.” Meladee glanced out the windshield. “Hey...I just thought of a way we can keep them silent about Iruedim’s location.”

“Oh?” Camellia said.

“A really complicated binding spell. I’ve been writing tons of complicated spells recently, and binding spells are easy to beef up.” Meladee leaned forward. “I can bind all the ships that come to our aid. It would prevent the people onboard from talking about Iruedim outside of Iruedim. It’d be great, but we’d have to time it just right.” Meladee’s eyes lit up. “I could add something to the spell to set it off like a trap.”

Eva held up a finger. “But, what about the ships themselves. They record information about where they’ve been.”

“Don’t worry, I’ll find a way to put that in the binding spell.”

“That’s very underhanded,” Camellia said. “And probably necessary.” Camellia didn’t know if she could trust Alim, or Sten, or the Commander – not yet.

Eva caught Camellia’s eyes. “So, we try to convince Sten, Commander Rooks, Alim, Benham, and some of their people to help us for free. Then, we bind them, so that they can’t bring information of Iruedim’s location away from the planet. We’re assuming that after they help us, they can leave and just return to their lives.”

“Some of them hate the Finial.” Camellia narrowed her eyes. “Alim does. Why do they have to go back?”

“Benham hates it too,” Meladee added. “I think he already wants to go to Iruedim.”

Camellia sat straighter. “Maybe, more of them would be willing to risk exile. Maybe, we could find a group willing to be new colonists for Iruedim.”

“And, live where?” Eva asked.

Meladee said, “We’ll just roll them in. Groaza isn’t going to like that, but Tagtrum can probably take them. I mean, how many people are we bringing? Not enough for a real colony.”

“We have no idea how many people their ships hold or how many they assigned to this project.” Eva shook her head.

“Lurren.” Camellia looked between Meladee and Eva. “They will be colonists for Lurren.”

She expected objections, but Eva and Meladee said nothing. Camellia doubted there would be enough people to make a large colony. Generally, you needed over one thousand pairs of people, and still, there would be a founder effect, unless they could coax other Iruedians to their new state. Still...New colonists. New technology. It was just what Iruedim needed. And, this time, Iruedim wouldn’t wait to be found. They would pick their own colonists.

Eva and Meladee’s expressions spoke their agreement.

“Okay, who convinces who?” Camellia asked.

Meladee stared out the windshield. “Well, I’ll ask Benham, and you can ask Alim. We don’t have to trick them. They’ll just help.” Meladee turned back to Camellia. “But, Alim’s got the hots for you, and you want someone else so...just make that clear.”

Camellia frowned and nodded. “We should tell them about the binding spell.”

“No,” Eva said. “We ask them for their silence, regarding Iruedim’s location. We ask all of them for their silence, but we say nothing about the binding spell.”

“I’m with her.” Meladee jabbed a finger at Eva.

“Okay. It’s fair, if a bit underhanded,” Camellia agreed. “They have less grounds for complaint if they agree to their silence.”

“I will convince Sten,” Eva volunteered.

“Great. Someone has to convince Commander Rooks.” Meladee’s eyes moved around the cockpit.

“We’ll all convince her,” Camellia said.

“Perfect. It’s a plan.”