Tracker by C. J. Cherryh Read Free Book Online Page B

shooting sparks into a volatile atmosphere. I don’t think he understands how what he’s saying translates to us
or
to atevi. But he’s the wrong man in the wrong place right now.”
    He’d been busy since he’d gotten back. He’d been fighting for Tabini’s return, fighting to keep Tabini in office, fighting to defuse issues that had nearly taken the aishidi’tat apart. Tillington had been a name to him, and he’d trusted Geigi to tell him if there were things that needed attention. Of course there were disputes. There were issues. Those had seemed distant, someone else’s problem.
    Then three kids wanted to come down to the planet for a birthday party, and three political systems exploded?
    â€œUnderstand,” he said, “I have
no
standing with the Mospheiran government any longer. I haven’t been back there since before we left the planet.”
    â€œThe President
is
still an old friend of yours.”
    â€œHe is. And I can still talk to him, on that basis—and as what I am on the
atevi
side of the strait. I
will
try to talk to him. But, damn, Jase. I wasn’t paying attention up there. I let this one get past me.”
    â€œYou’ve been just a bit busy. Sabin knows that. It’s why we’ve said nothing until now. So Tillington doesn’t like Reunioners. His wanting to ship the Reunioners out to Maudit was understandable. Everything was understandable—down to the point where he decided he still wanted Ogun’s ear all to himself, everything the way it had been—and Sabin and me out of his way. That’s my theory. He doesn’t want Sabin back any more than he wants the Reunioners. In his head, it’s all one event that’s messed up his little world.”
    â€œDamn, Jase.” He looked into the half-empty glass, as if it held an answer. Jase said he wasn’t as good at persuasion. But this was beyond persuasion. Massive changes had to be set in motion. “I hope the kids are safe going back up there.”
    â€œThey’ll be safe. I have no question of that. All the official craziness has been behind official doors. And best we keep it that way.”
    â€œI hope so. I’ll get on this. I may need to fly over to the island, see if I can get a quiet meeting. Limit the number of outlets for this information, if you can. Last thing I want is Tillington’s theory of what happened debated in the legislature. One thing I
will
send up with you. Tabini-aiji wants those kids officially protected, by ship command. Wants them kept out of station politics. In any sense. He demands their free access to the planet, protection from political exploitation or political mention, and if that is threatened, he wants them on the atevi side of the wall up there. I have the wording. It’s that treaty clause—persons under protection of the aishidi’tat to be treated as citizens
of
the aishidi’tat.”
    Jase drew in a breath. “I don’t think it was ever envisioned as three kids from Reunion.”
    â€œThe wording stands. As associates of the young gentleman, they have standing with the aiji. You don’t need to publicize the document. It’s just there if the Captains should need it. And it will be
here
if Tabini decides he needs to invoke it.”
    Jase nodded. “Got it.”
    â€œMy personal seal as the aiji’s voice is no problem. I’ll have the document for you tomorrow, in case there’s any problem. I’ll get the aiji’s official seal on a more specific document to follow, shipped up to Geigi’s office by the next shuttle after yours. Keep them under lock and key, so to speak. But know they’re there.”
    Jase stared into his own barely touched glass for a moment. Then:
    â€œCome up there, Bren.”
    â€œI’m up to my ears. Negotiations are at a make-or-break point . . . things we’ve been working on all year,