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McCammon smiled with relief. "That is something I can most certainly do, Your Majesty."

That night Peter slept restlessly, knowing that at any time some assassin might come to kill him, to kill both of them. How long would Basil wait to act?

He awoke suddenly, startled to hear OX's voice so close by their bed. "King Peter, Queen Estarra, there is a visitor who must speak with you." Peter lurched upright. Outside, the Palace District lights gave off just enough glow for him to see their chambers. OX waited politely, as if embarrassed to be so obtrusive.

"Another visitor?" Estarra's dark eyes flashed with fear.

As his eyes adjusted, he saw the spectral figure of a pale-skinned man next to the compy. "I apologize for this unorthodox and unscheduled meeting, King Peter. I felt that this circumstance was urgent enough to merit such a risk. You know your days are numbered."

Deputy Cain had already helped them, but was anyone in the Hansa government to be completely trusted? Peter got out of bed. "The Chairman must have his eyes on you, too. Aren't you afraid you'll be seen? How did you get in here?"

The deputy raised a dismissive hand. "It is late at night, and I have enough connections to avoid suspicion for a brief time. Your royal guards were somewhat cooperative." He found a chair and sat down. "If you had succeeded in killing the Chairman, that would have been a neat solution to our little dilemma. I would have become his replacement, and you and I could have reached an accord. However, that sort of coup is no longer possible. Chairman Wenceslas will never leave himself so vulnerable again, and he will eliminate you both very soon. I wouldn't suppose you have more than a day or two before he creates some other ‘fanatical assassin lurking in the wings.'"

"So why did you come here?" Peter asked. "To tell us to say our prayers?"

"As I said, removing the Chairman is no longer an option. Therefore, you two have to leave. Preferably in a most unexpected way." Cain extended several datapacks. "These contain the schematics of the hydrogue derelict. Our research team has achieved many breakthroughs, all of which are documented here. An enormous amount of data. Our researchers do not have the incentive to go beyond the theoretical stage, but you, on the other hand, might consider it an unexpected exit strategy."

Peter took the datapacks. He realized that any traditional vessel would certainly be intercepted, outrun, and outgunned by the EDF watchdog ships swarming protectively around Earth. But they wouldn't know what to do against the derelict--if it could be flown.

"And what about you, Deputy Cain? Care to make your exit as well? You know that Basil needs to be stopped for the good of the Hansa."

Cain ran a finger over his colorless lips. "What I know and what I can accomplish are two different things. I have made numerous secret leaks to the media, but I dare not do more. My own involvement must remain completely confidential, and I have already done more than I should. If the Chairman were to find out, more than my employment would be terminated." He drifted back into the shadows. "You can't rely on me any longer. I gave you information you can use. You two will have to decide what to do. After this, I am done. I hope you succeed in whatever plan you work out."

"Are you sure there's nothing more you can do?" Peter asked, but Cain had melted into the dimness. He waited but heard no response. "Mr. Cain?" The deputy was gone.

OX remained with them. "As always, I would be pleased to help you plan and implement strategy, within the strict parameters of my programming."

Peter glanced at OX, then returned his full attention to his wife. "We have to think beyond ourselves. While I need to save you and our baby, I know this is about more than just us. We have to take action for the good of humanity."

He could see Estarra's dark eyes even in the dimness of their quarters. "Peter, Chairman Wenceslas makes a serious error when he considers humanity to be only the members of the Hansa. He has disenfranchised