The Cynn linked his fingers together speculatively. < We are there in uniform to dismantle the slave trade, > he said, and then added testily, < which many of these governments are actively encouraging--but the humans fear that we're helping the non-humans 'take over.' >

The lamp light wasn't too bright, but it bloomed on the opposite wall, across a closed door and a large paper map hanging beside it. The Symphony Archipelago spread across the map's surface, marked in places by small glass pins. They clustered around major cities, concentrated at their thickest in and around a city called Genovese--which lay across a strait from Enodia and the New Escalus Base. Cramped notes in unruly Aetherian letters were crammed underneath the city names.

Helly set the poster down, and asked hesitantly, < Then...what happened to Liya's family? >

Cynn Numair surveyed nem impassively for a moment in silence. Then he shut his eyes briefly; his construct poked at his dark hair with her nose in an oddly sentient sort of way.

< I will review the report Marinos submitted, > the Cynn said after a long time. < And I will follow up with him myself, if need be. Sraddi will remind me. >

This last was directed more at his construct, who he now offered a hand. She stepped onto the offered perch carefully, answering in a voice that sounded like someone speaking through miles of brass tube.

< Captain Marinos has an excellent track record, but a situation like this still bears investigating,> the Cynn went on. < Especially a situation like this. >

< Thank you, Your Highness, > Helly murmured, a bit relieved.