Kelat rested his fingertips against the tabletop. "Bio-technician Uary, can you here before formal Witnesses cite flaws in Ambassador Basq's research?" he asked.
"I cannot," admitted Uary.
"Can you cite errors in the conclusions he has drawn based on that research?"
After a long pause, Uary said, "I cannot."
"Then the issue is not organic to the contract we propose for Ambassador Basq. The issue is procedural. If the Ambassador's contract is approved by this committee, I propose an additional contract will be drawn up with a Formal Witness agreed upon by the committee. Bio-technician Uary will have veto powers of the choice of Witness. The Witness will have final say over any and all security decisions regarding Ambassador Basq's work and will have the authority to subcontract other Witnesses and services as may be required to enforce prudent and reasonable security for that work.
"Will that satisfy your issue, Bio-technician Uary?"
Uary considered the matter.
He's going to do it. He's going to remind them about Jahidh. He will lay the faults of my child, my child I was not allowed to supervise, at my feet. He'll cast doubts upon my memory any way he can to keep me off the committee because I lost him those globes and his chance for promotion.
"Contractor Avir, it will satisfy my current issue," said Uary.
A flood of relief washed through Basq and he had to work to keep it from showing. Even if I must endure a Witness, it's all right, Basq told himself. If the Witness watches me, the Witness also watches Uary, and I believe it is Uary who will provide the more…entertaining show.
"Are there any other issues to be raised regarding the contracting of Ambassador Basq?" inquired Kelat.
The silence stretched out and with each heartbeat Basq felt hope grow stronger.
"Then," said Avir, "I invoke the name I hold. Ambassador Basq Hanr Sone of the Grand Errand." Basq turned to face her as she recited the conditions of his contract. At last she said, "Do you understand the responsibilities to be laid beside your name?"
"Contractor Avir, I do." Basq hoped his voice was full of calm assurance. He couldn't tell. His heart was pounding too loud for him to hear anything properly.
"And do you believe you possess the skill necessary to complete this contract?"
"I do."
"And do you agree to the appended contract that will place you under the authority and eye of a Formal Witness for the duration of this contract?"
"I do."
"Then we bind your name to this contract," said Kelat. "Ready your resources for the work you are assigned."
Basq made the half obeisance his invocation required. He let all the pride he felt show in his face. It was appropriate now. He was officially part of the committee, and Uary could dine on his objections in silence.
"This committee shall join the Reclamation Assembly in fifteen days as measured in the Hundredth Core," said Avir. "In six core days, this committee will reconvene to compare information and initiate such procedures as are in its sphere of authority so that we may report to the Assembly that we are moving ahead expeditiously." Avir smiled warmly at her committee. "Now, my friends, the real work begins."
"The real work begins," chorused the committee. When the sound of their voices died away, the Witnesses closed their eyes and bowed. The meeting was ended.
Still dazzled from the turn of events, Basq forgot to move. Avir reached out and shook his shoulder.
"The time for dreaming is when we walk on the Home Ground, Ambassador," Avir laughed.
Basq felt his cheeks heat up. "I was not dreaming, Contractor, I was…readjusting."
Avir nodded. "I can understand the need, but there is not much time for that. Let me give you Ivale's name formally."
Basq followed Avir around the table to where Ivale stood talking with Uary. As they approached, Uary looked up from the conversation. A spasm of distaste crossed his features.
"Ambassador Ivale," said Avir. "With your permission, I shall present your full name to Ambassador Basq of the Grand Errand." Ivale nodded his acknowledgment. "Ambassador Basq, I present to you the name of Ambassador Ivale Muirfinn Bren of the Hundredth Core." Basq timed his obeisance to match Ivale's. "I leave you to arrange your work," said Avir, and she left them there to join Kelat, who was speaking with the Historians.
"I've never seen a Contractor show such faith in the work of a Beholden," remarked Uary. Basq could hear the forced casualness in his words. "I must access your files, Ambassador, and look into your previous work."
"Should you choose to do so, you will find that I accept both credit and blame as they are due me," Basq replied smoothly. "I do not shirk one while seeking the other."
"Listen to me, both of you," said Ivale coolly. "Do not permit these differences to grow into a quarrel. We cannot afford to be divided in this committee. The Imperialists are making themselves heard in the Reclamation Assembly. The successes the Unifiers have been enjoying over the past years are making many of the Assembly members uneasy. If the Imperialists appear more united and reasoned than we do, they may just get their way and then the Vitae will become nothing more nor less than a race of warmongers."
Basq instantly bowed his head and pressed his palm against his mouth to seal in any more foolish words. Uary remained unmoved.
"Ambassador Basq," said Ivale. "In addition to the tasks specifically outlined when your name was invoked, I would ask you to place the cases of the artifacts Eric Born and Stone in the Wall into perspective with the larger group of artifacts. Specifically, you are to determine as far as possible how dangerous they are to us and the Reclamation, under what circumstances they would become most dangerous, and what precautions should be taken to prevent those circumstances. My files from the direct observation of the artifacts on the Home Ground are open for your review. You will add the information gained by Bio-technician Uary to your assessments." Ivale glowered at Uary. "And you will cooperate fully, Uary."
Uary's mouth twitched. "Ambassador Ivale, I wish to walk with my children on the Home Ground. The work is what is important to me, not who does it or who orders it."
"As it should be," said Ivale. "I will expect you to take the relevant conclusions that Ambassador Basq discovers into account with your work. We will convene our subcommittee in seventy-two hours with all available current information correlated and ready for presentation. Do you have any issues or additions to raise against this plan?" Formality flattened out the emotion in Ivale's voice.
"I have none," said Basq immediately.
"I have none at this time," said Uary. "I reserve the right to raise any that occur in the future for your attention, Ambassador Ivale."
"You have that right in perpetuity." Ivale straightened a fold in his sleeve minutely. It was a dismissive gesture and Basq took a small measure of satisfaction from the sour look it brought to Uary's face. "Ambassador Basq, your real work begins now. Technician, you must be present as the Contractors assign a Witness to accompany the Ambassador back to the Grand Errand."
Dismissed, Basq bowed and left the room as quickly as dignity would allow. He didn't spare a glance at any of the artworks or core inhabitants as he hurried down the spiraling corridor toward the core's center.