Sean transited to Cylian’s office first. Finding it empty, he shifted to her apartment. A bored-looking young Messenger was sprawled in Cylian’s parlor. She leapt to her feet at Sean’s appearance and demanded, “You are the agent the Ambassador’s team has been awaiting?”
Sean repressed the first response that came to mind, which was, How many other men have popped into Cylian’s private quarters? He said, “Yes. I’m Sean.”
“I’ve been stationed here with orders to inform her the instant you arrive, Major.”
“Tell Cylian I can only stay—” Sean stopped because the young woman was already gone.
Sean could not completely hide his disappointment when both Carver and Anyon showed up with Cylian. The colonel wore a full-dress uniform. Anyon and Cylian were decked out in formal evening attire. They looked utterly exhausted. Strain etched itself as deep as flesh-colored tattoos on all three faces. Cylian looked on the brink of collapse. Sean wanted to demand to know what was going on, offer help, whatever. But there was no time. Logan had loaned Sean his own timepiece, which was now strapped to his left wrist. The amount of time he had been granted here was already half over.
Carver said, “Report.”
“The weapons exist,” Sean replied. “We have not seen one. But the reports came from a source who did not know we were searching for them.”
“Perhaps the source is a plant,” Anyon fretted. He still carried a dinner napkin in his left hand.
“Our ally on Aldwyn is named Logan. He and his crew have developed a method of transiting all on their own. He has used this to recapture a market cavern from their foes, Clan Havoc. The information came from one of their troopers.” Sean gave that a quick breath, then added, “There’s more.”
“Speak.”
“There are three senior members of the Assembly dealing with Havoc. They supplied the technology to develop these weapons. They insisted on the production remaining on Aldwyn.”
Anyon understood instantly. “So it could be kept secret from us.”
“That is our thinking,” Sean said. “One of the Diplomats is Kaviti.”
Anyon sank into a chair. Wiped his forehead with the napkin. “Tell me everything.”
Sean gave it to them as quickly as he could. As he was finishing, Logan’s timepiece pinged. “I have to leave.”
“We need to plan,” Anyon protested.
“You’ll have to do so without me,” Sean replied.
Carver asked, “Can I return with you?”
“Negative. They don’t trust us.” He shot Cylian a look that he hoped carried some of the emotions he was feeling.
“Wait!” Carver stepped toward him. “What is your assessment?”
“The Assembly was asked to come now because the ruling council on Cygneus Prime heard about Havoc, the Diplomats, and the weapon.” The words tumbled out. “You are intended to serve as their shield against this unknown threat.”
“What comes next?”
Sean did not have time to soften the news. “War.”