Ambassador 4: Coming Home by Patty Jansen Read Free Book Online Page B

doesn’t,” Veyada said, without looking up from his screen.
    And as usual, Thayu was avoiding the final decision. I’d already had myself tested for compatibility on the off-chance and it was negative. The big Aghyrian population database showed absolutely no instances of crossbreeding between humans and Coldi. Earth humans did have Aghyrian roots, but they were buried very deep.
    While this discussion had been going on, I’d kept an eye on the screen. There was no reply yet from Federza, not even an automated one.
    Well, that was interesting. I was too busy and besides it was probably too late in the day by now, so I made a note to contact the Barresh Aghyrians tomorrow. Meanwhile I sent another message to his Barresh office. The Trader’s office would often reroute messages through the Trader Guild’s satellites. Probably something urgent had come up and he was off world.
    But I still didn’t like it.
    I went to the admin office downstairs to check on the staff working there. They were looking after all my regular things: the household, bills, my accounts, gamra correspondence. I couldn’t imagine how I’d once been lost for things to get these people to do. In the near future I would probably have to hire more staff.
    When I came back from downstairs, Devlin was looking for me. “I have an urgent communication for you.”
    I went with him into the hub, where he pulled up gamra ’s live video communication channel. He entered our code, and Delegate Namion’s face appeared.
    Well, that hadn’t taken him long at all.
    Devlin said, “The Delegate is here.”
    “Good. Let me talk to him.”
    “In private?”
    “No.”
    Damarcian faces had a habit of always looking unfriendly and hawkish, but his face took on a super-annoyed expression when his eyes met mine through the screen.
    After we had exchanged cool greetings, he started, “A couple of things I want to raise with you. I just received your message regarding the dig site. I’m afraid that this is a matter outside my authority. You will need to contact the Barresh Council to get access to the site.”
    “I already have.”
    “Then there is nothing more I can do for you.”
    “The captain has the whole history of the civilised world in his hands. He needs access to the site—”
    “The council will decide who needs what.”
    “They will deal with it so much more urgently is there is a supporting message from you.” I used the imperative-you, which was probably a fairly rude choice but I was tired and my patience was running out.
    His nostrils flared. “Listen, Delegate. We did not ask for this man to come here. You insisted on bringing him—”
    “I did so because his absence would neutralise the ship and would possibly give us information on these people and their aims.”
    “You did so of your own accord and without consultation.”
    “Tell me how I was meant to have consulted anyone from a secret place where the Exchange has no coverage!”
    But there was no point in arguing and I would do best to shut up, because in typical fashion, I’d probably soon put my foot in it. And he was right: it had been my decision. A poor one, as it turned out to be. I still didn’t see how I could have done anything better.
    “Very well, I will deal with the captain’s impatience my way. I can’t guarantee you’ll like it, and would really appreciate some support, but if there is going to be none . . .  Is there anything else you wished to talk about?”
    “Yes. Delegate, can you explain what this deluge of correspondence is doing in my inbox?”
    “These are all questions I’ve received from the public about gamra in relation to the Aghyrian ship. I’m not qualified or authorised to answer them. I believed they were best suited to your office, but if you wish someone else to deal with it, tell me where to send them.” Let’s play innocent.
    He harrumphed. I was sure he saw the choice where I was leading him: accept more work or admit that he