Free Judge by Karen Traviss Page A

the heat, but there was still no mention of the incident with the FEU fighter. “Commander, might I suggest we find somewhere more comfortable to continue discussions? The heat’s a problem for us. I imagine it’s unpleasant for you, too.”
    â€œOur next meeting will be at your offices, then,” she said. “But in the meantime, I must speak to the FEU about those responsible for ordering the bombing of Ouzhari.”
    â€œI thought you’d dealt with all that a few years ago.”
    Bari meant the assassinations of FEU intelligence staff carried out by Helen Marchant’s associates. But the response was out of Esganikan’s mouth before she knew it.
    â€œThere were others,” she said. Were there? Yes, you know there were, don’t you? You remember… “And I must know if they’re still alive. If they are, then they will be punished.”
    Bari took a noisy swallow. It was very distracting. “Might I ask you to warn us about your intentions towards Europe? We’re in a very tense situation at the moment, and the incident with the FEU fighter is causing us problems.”
    Unlike the isenj, Bari didn’t seem to be asking for help to defeat his enemies. Esganikan thought she might offer it anyway, by way of removing an irritant and reassuring an ally.
    â€œIf the warships cause you concern, we can remove them immediately.”
    Bari’s expression was unreadable, but Esganikan knew what a stressed human smelled like. Shan made a noise in her throat, right on the limit of Esganikan’s hearing.
    â€œThank you for the offer,” Bari said carefully. Esganikan could see his jaw muscles working even when he stopped talking. “It would help me a lot if you didn’t, though. Perhaps that’s something else we can discuss.”
    The conversation was over for the time being as far as Esganikan was concerned. “I’ll contact you when we’re ready.”
    â€œWe have climate scientists available to begin work with your team,” said Bari. “In the meantime, this area is sealed off by our military, and we’ll keep the media at bay.”
    â€œIf they intrude, we can deal with them.”
    â€œWe don’t shoot journalists, Commander. They’re useful.”
    Esganikan thought of Eddie. It was a pity not to have him on hand, but Shan could manage some of his liaison tasks. “Then we’ll simply ignore them for the time being, and you can deal with them as you wish. Now I want the Federal European Union to honor its pledge to hand over the remaining members of its security services who authorized the use of cobalt devices on Ouzhari. Then I want to move the colonists into some permanent settlement, and then we will begin discussing the changes you need to make to restore this planet to a state of ecological balance for all its species.”
    Shan sighed quietly to herself. “What’s the magic word?”
    â€œPerhaps Superintendent Frankland could…lay some foundations for our discussion.” Bari glanced at Shan as if he was keen to talk to a human and find out what the aliens were really up to. That was progress. “Despite all the discussion that’s taken place over the years, I’m relatively new, and I still have some catching up to do.”
    â€œYes,” Esganikan said flatly. “If that makes you more comfortable. We’ll contact you.”
    Bari stood waiting for a moment and then appeared to realize the discussion was over for the time being. The humans walked off and their vehicles edged forward to meet them halfway. Shan made a little puffing noise through her nose.
    â€œYou can talk to them,” said Esganikan. Shan had been reluctant to come, and her annoyance showed even if it wasn’t detectable in her scent. “Conversation commits you to nothing.”
    Shan glanced at a thin band on her left wrist, clasped her hands behind her back, and shook her