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“Do you believe that your institute is the best place for him to grow as the witness here has?”

At that, Councillor Nea of Bolarus said, “That doesn’t fall within the purview of this case.”

Rather snippily, Eleana said, “Perhaps it should.”

You wanted her on judiciary, Nan thought as she said, “That can be discussed during deliberations, no?”

“It will be, Madam President,” Eleana said.

Grateful that she wasn’t obligated to be present for that, either, Nan said, “Good. Anything else?”

Silence. Thank God.

Looking to the witness, she said, “Thank you for your time, Doctor. You’re excused.”

Nodding, the EMH rose. “Thank you, Madam President.”

“Dr. Patek, Captain Maddox, we are grateful for your testimonies, depositions, and statements. The council will contact you when the deliberations are complete and a decision has been reached.”

Both of them said, “Thank you, Madam President,” and left.

The guards then cleared the gallery-several reporters were observing the proceedings, for which Nan was grateful, as this was an important issue that needed to be covered, and she had faith in the reporters’ ability to make the session considerably more interesting than it actually had been-so the council could deliberate.

“My friends, I have a security briefing, so I will leave you to it. I will say only that I think the Doctor’s testimony might be worth reviewing.”

With that, she left, hoping her own feelings on the case were made clear by her final statement. Right now, she wanted to find out what had happened on Cestus III. The Pioneers had lost the first two games, so they had to win today’s and the last one tomorrow to stand a chance of at least tying for the division lead, which would force a one-game play-off.

Chapter Twenty-Four

KANT JOREL HAD MEETINGS with both Myk Bunkrep and Z4 Blue during the day, but he couldn’t bring himself to say anything about what Ozla Graniv had told him that morning. This is something that needs to go right to Esperanza.

After his meeting with Z4-the details of which he now honestly could not recall-he went back to his office. Zhres said, “Esperanza called-she said she’ll be back in half an hour, right after your briefing. And, ah- ” Zhres hesitated.

Not even a little bit in the mood for the Andorian’s nonsense, Jorel asked, “What?”

Zhres simply handed Jorel a padd. Snatching it angrily, he read the display. It informed him that Brek chim Glamok, reporter for the Tellarite News Service, had been declared missing and was presumed dead. This was a change from his status over the seven months since he’d disappeared after going to Kliradon, when he’d simply been missing. “Wonderful.”

“The rest of the briefing’s loaded on there, too.”

“Fine.”

Zhres’s antennae wriggled in an appalling manner. “Are you all right, Jorel?”

“Never ask that question in my presence again, Zhres.” Jorel turned on his heel and walked toward the holocom to start his late-afternoon briefing.

He began with various bits of information, the president’s itinerary, what some members of the cabinet and council were doing, and then, finally, the news about Brek.

The room was fairly silent after that.

“That’s it,” Jorel said, not in the mood to take questions.

Predictably, he got one anyhow from T’Nira before he could deactivate the holocom. “Will the judiciary council’s decision on the B-4 matter be made today or will there be more discussion?”

For that, Jorel had to check his padd. “All the testimony’s been taken, all the witnesses-the witness, actually-has been questioned, and now they’re deliberating.”

“Is an estimate available for when the deliberations will be complete?”

“Probably some time before the twenty-fifth century starts.”

Sovan then asked, “Is there any truth to the rumor that the president wants a summit with Chancellor Martok?”

“I don’t respond to rumors, Sovan, you know that, so kindly stop asking me to comment on them. That’s it.”

This time, he did deactivate the holocom before any more questions could come. He couldn