Part 7 (1/2)

The Moderator seemed undisturbed. ”What am I supposed to do?”

”I told them you'd contact the Council of the Federation on Orado.”

”Contact the Council?” he repeated coolly. ”With no more proof for this story than your word Miss Amberdon?”

Telzey felt a quick, angry stirring begin about her, felt her face whiten.

”All right,” she said ”I'll give you proof! I'll have to now. But that'll be it. Once they've tipped their hand all the way, you'll have about thirty seconds left to make the right move. I hope you remember that!”

He cleared his throat. ”I--”

”NOW!” Telzey said.

Along the walls of the balcony garden, beside the ornamental flower stands, against the edges of the rock pool, the crest cats appeared.

Perhaps thirty of them. None quite as physically impressive as Iron Thoughts who stood closest to the Moderator; but none very far from it. Motionless as rocks, frightening as gargoyles, they waited, eyes glowing with h.e.l.lish excitement.

”This is _their_ council, you see,” Telzey heard herself saying.

The Moderator's face had also paled. But he was, after all, an old s.h.i.+kari and a senior diplomat. He took an unhurried look around the circle, said quietly, ”Accept my profound apologies for doubting you.

Miss Amberdon!” and reached for the desk communicator.

Iron Thoughts swung his demon head in Telzey's direction. For an instant, she picked up the mental impression of a fierce yellow eye closing in an approving wink.

”... An open transmitter line to Orado,” the Moderator was saying into the communicator. ”The Council. And snap it up! Some very important visitors are waiting.”

The offices of Jontarou's Planetary Moderator became an extremely busy and interesting area then. Quite two hours pa.s.sed before it occurred to anyone to ask Telzey again whether she knew where her aunt was at present.

Telzey smote her forehead.

”Forgot all about that!” she admitted, fis.h.i.+ng the sportscar's keys out of the pocket of her sunbriefs. ”They're out on the parking platform....”

The preliminary treaty arrangements between the Federation of the Hub and the new Affiliated Species of the Planet of Jontarou were formally ratified two weeks later, the ceremony taking place on Jontarou, in the Champagne Hall of the s.h.i.+karis' Club.

Telzey was able to follow the event only by news viewer in her s.h.i.+p-cabin, she and Halet being on the return trip to Orado by then.