Guruinath is placed in a holding cell, because Kolath's commanding officer wants to debrief Kolath without him being present.

"My apologies", says Nir-Urileyr Kavarluis d'n Ersath, "I was trying to find you, without knowing you were waiting to see me. We need better communications in this place".

"I see our plans have rather been overtaken by events, and we have ourselves a high-ranking prisoner. You do realise what a political hot potato this individual is?"

And we have a Karazthani claiming to be his superior who wishes to speak with him".

Kolath

Kolath nodded his respect for the Urileyr and paused for a moment, composing his thoughts before replying.

"I realize that the situation is... potentially explosive and I know that my actions might be seen as precipitous in some areas, but I, too, was a victim of circumstances. I saw no viable option other than to shoot down the air ship and, with the assistance of my... of Hollis, arrest Guruinath."

His lips twitched briefly but he did not quite smile.

"And if I were his Karazthani superior, I would want to speak with him, also."

Hollis

She wanted to interrupt like she normally did, but she showed some respect for Kolath and his superior by merely rocking back and forth from one foot to the other, looking either impatient or borderline incontinent.

"I think we had better have his superior speak to us before we give them access to the prisoner", he says, "And sooner or later the Varakeyr will be sticking his oar in. Let's have some agreement between The Legion and The Karazthan before that happens"

Kolath

The legionnaire nodded his agreement, but then glanced again at Hollis.

"Do you have something to add, Hollis?"

His tone tried to convey the request that, if she had something to say, she'd be circumspect with her language here in front of his superior officer.

Hollis

"Look. I think this is one facet of a very intricate game of political thlan... it is part of a larger attempt by outside Kandar elements to either manipulate or co-opt completely the political structure and governance of Calbeyn. The Konaics are behind it -- if not directly, then separated by some elements that allow them plausible denial.

As an aide, the Konaics hate humans and have little tolerance for human rights; just look at the life and treatment of humans under their governance. The Konaics, in my opinion, are seeding the ground for an administrative change by blackening th exiting administration in the eyes of the Kandar people. For example, I have been involved here and in Filgeth on the fringes of seemingly inconsequential terrorisms that attack pro-human leaders or moderate Kandar officials, but are designed to look human in origin. Some even involved the RHV, an organization that makes even human children shiver in their beds at night."

Hollis jumped down and began to stalk back and forth, her gestures crisp and measured, her words clear and concise, her eye contact with the legionnaires direct. She had a remarkable presence acquired from somewhere, and her dark skin glowed in the loose white blouse and slacks.

"The Konaics are also sticking their tendrils into various kandar elements, which I believe includes the Karazthani. Indications are the Karazthani are behind the destabilization of the Calbeyn forces and the legion, through sabotage of their weapons. An attempt to lay the blame for that elsewhere was foiled through the fine work of Kolath.

"Kolath has been ... remarkable. He is a fine and honorable Kandar. If ever a kandar was worthy of ... he ..."

Hollis' dark eyes focused on the lanky legionnaire with remarkable affection.

"The furor with the Academy and the Drarth involved Konaic agents as part of an attack on the succession. Just bad luck (and the interposition of Kolath's head, she didn't add) it didn't do more damage. It was simple enough to leave evidence that the incident was a ploy of the Academy aimed somehow at the Karathani."

She folded her arms. "My sentiments, of course. But I like the way the world is going, here in Calbeyn. It has its problems, but there are honest ways for me to do something about it."

She looked at Kolath again. "And there are some people I really like. Now."

Kolath

The Kandar officer frowned, his eyes narrowed as he concentrated intently on his young aide's words. A couple of times he nodded minimally and grunted when she made a telling statement.

"You paint a feasible picture, Hollis," he said slowly, "and I appreciate your input, but to accomplish any thing, we need proof and not conjecture, no matter how plausible."

His tone was far from accusatory; he found that he had come to like the feisty young human, too.

"So put some pressure on this Karazthani to give up his sponsors," Hollis suggested. "Threaten him. If he has a family, tell him he co-operates or we tell the RHV he is a collaborator, and where his family is. If he doesn't have anyone, tell him we plan to use him for zughru bait, or tell the Konaics we caught him selling their secrets. He'll spill."

Kolath

Kolath frowned. He knew the Urileyr would not like such a suggestion, especially coming from a human. The Legion did not tend to believe that the ends justified the means although, in the current situation, Kolath himself thought that a relaxing of their ethical standards could be justified.

He turned to the Urileyr.

"Reluctantly, Sir, I agree with my associate." He held up a hand to obtain time for a qualification he felt should be made.

"The reluctance is not for her conclusions but my acceptance of methods she has proposed."

Hollis

That earned Kolath a renewed double take from Hollis. Where had he been in her solo days, when she felt nothing while running wetwork out of Filgeth? She could have saved her soul a few irretrievable scars. Maybe she had slipped through some spiritual lens between death and hope; she folded her arms against the sudden goosebump-laden chill.

"Right", says Kavarluis. "I think we need to explain all this to this top Karazthani we've got waiting downstairs".

He picks up the speaking-tube, a crude mechanical device compared with the tiny communicators of the Karazthan.

"Send him up", he says,

Kolath

He nodded, glanced at Hollis and then, turning to face the door, he composed himself for the upcoming confrontation.

Hollis

Hollis was determined not to undermine what Kolath was doing, so she stayed to the back and maintained a low profile.

How long she could actually maintain that disguise, was another question entirely.

Lavuyl Zalyn d'n Uldar, the Karazthan's Director of Security for the Western Region, arrives accompanied by a pair of Security Persons In Black, a human man and a kandar woman.

He's rather scruffy individual with a tousled mop of greying hair. Not quite what you might expect for one of the most senior figures of the Karazthan.

His clothes are torn, and his face smeared with soot. It takes a moment before Kolath recognises him - he's one of the survivors from the fire at The Dancing Fish.

He addresses Kolath and Kavarluis without even appearing to have noticed Hollis' presence in the room.

"Let us see", he says, "We have an airship destroyed, my local head of Security in your custody, and there has been an attempt on my life, which succeeded in taking the life of my local head of Administration. Events which I am sure are connected. I have my own theories as to what connects them, but first I wish to hear yours".

Kolath

He nodded his respect for the man's high position and then glanced at his own superior officer before replying.

"All of this came as a result of a conspiracy at whose center, Sir, I'm afraid you would find Guruinath."

Even though this was starting to look like the inmates running the asylum, Hollis maintained her calm demeanor.

"Very well, Legionnaire", says the Karazthani, "We seem in agreement that Guruinath may have some explaining to do. Now, before we put our questions to him, you must tell me what evidence you have that links him to the events I've described".

Kolath

His lips tightened and he took a deep breath before responding.

"Other than the fact that he was commanding the air ship which fired upon you and your men..."

He made a vague gesture and glanced at Hollis and he could see that she was near bursting to speak - or at least that was how he interpreted her expression - and he knew that she was counting on him to lay a proper foundation for this.

"We have evidence, my assis..." he paused in midword, glanced again at her and smiled slightly. "Excuse me, my associate, Miss Hollis, here, and I have accumulated evidence which points to the conclusions that the Karazthani, or at least some of them, are tied to the faulty flame lance fiasco, to attempts to overthrow the government and allow the Kamorki to insinuate themselves in key positions."

He paused again and once more turned his gaze on Hollis for a moment before continuing.

"Also, some of these Karazthani apparently are trying to undermine human-Kandar relations by setting up human rights groups to look like terrorists."

"The airship was firing on the Academy of the Mind", says the Karazthani, "Two of our personnel were present within the academy at the time; it's entirely possible that those were the intended target. I have been in communication with one of them, he informs me that both survived but suffered injuries. I have no details of casualties among Academy personnel at present.

"It was not artillery fire on the restaurant; at least not from the airship. Damage consistent with an incendiary grenade launched from close range. Whoever fired it landed it on our table".

Kolath

He had gone too far in his excitement.

"I overstated myself," he admitted. "The airship did indeed not attack that restaurant, but it is my belief that Guruinath is connected to those who did."

He glanced at Hollis, one eyebrow lifting slightly as he sought corroboration. He knew she thought more quickly than he did and, perhaps, more clearly and he counted on her support more than he cared to admit.

Hollis

"The Tavonoleyr speaks correctly," Hollis said, stepping in as smoothly as if she had planned it.

She would turn him into a conspirator yet.

"I was sent to investigate, and from a position of observation I saw Guruinath in the company of the grenade throwers -- based on what they said in conversation. Of course, he may not have given the order directly, but he was aware of the consequences and who was threatened by the grenade. And the threat to your life, My Lord Director, seemed not to bother him in the slightest."

"You know the identity of those that launched the grenade?", the Karazthani says, turning to Hollis. "Where did this observation take place?".

Hollis

Hollis responded promptly. "I did not directly see it thrown, but I overheard Guruinath discussing it with the throwers == I never got a good look at their faces -- in the basement of one of the human shops nearby when I was investigating the events."

"This would be on the west bank", he asks, "Do you think you would be able to recognise them by their voices should you encounter them again?".

Hollis

Hollis shrugged. "Anything is possible," she said. "But to tell the truth, I was paying more attention to what was said than who said it. Except Guruinath, who is somewhat famous and thus commands more attention."