Acuna stared at Archie just long enough for Archie to wonder if he was going to smack him again. Then, by God, Acuna actually smiled. "Fair enough," he said. "Keep your eye on the graph, Archie. don't let them get away. Let me know as soon as you think they've gotten off the train." He clapped his hand on Archie's shoulder as he turned to go. Archie realized Acuna had actually called him by his given name.

"Ben—may I call you Ben?" Narf-win-Getag asked, settling down in his chair.

"By all means, Mr. Ambassador," Ben Javna said. Being of inferior rank to the ambassador, Javna had remained standing and had moved out in front of his desk. Staying behind the desk would have been considered a breach of etiquette.

"Thank you," Narf-win-Getag said. "I know my people have a reputation for being socially standoffish, but in private we can be just as relaxed as any sentient being. I even encourage my secretary to call me 'Narf when we are doing private business."

"And does she, Mr. Ambassador?" Javna asked.

"Oh, of course she doesn't," Narf-win-Getag said. "She wouldn't dare. But it's nice of me to offer, don't you think?"

"And how may I be of service to you this evening, Mr. Ambassador," Javna said.

"Secretary Soram came and visited me just now to deliver the good news that you've found our lost sheep," Narf-win-Getag said.

"Did he, now," Javna said, as neutrally as possible.

"Yes," Narf-win-Getag said. "Although I'm led to understand that our sheep in question isn't a sheep at all but a young human with our sheep DNA encoded in hers. Curious. Ben, may I trouble you for something to drink?"

"Of course, Mr. Ambassador," Javna said.

"Eighteen-year-old Glenlivet, if you have any," Narf-win-Getag said. "I love its bouquet."

"I believe Secretary Heffer may have some in his bar," Javna said, and opened his door to have Barbara get a glass.

"Excellent. Normally, you understand, I would go to Secretary Heffer to chat about this, but seeing as he is out of town at the moment, and given the time constraint we're under, it makes sense to talk to you."

"I appreciate that, Mr. Ambassador," Javna said.

"Good, good," Narf-win-Getag said. "So, anyway, Ben. I'll be happy to take her off your hands now."

"You mean the girl, Mr. Ambassador?" Javna asked. Barbara slipped her hand through the door to deliver the drink; Javna took it.

"Yes, that's right," Narf-win-Getag said.

"I'm afraid we have a problem there, sir," Javna said, and handed Narf-win-Getag his drink. "The young woman in question has not come to the State Department yet."

"Well, certainly you know where she is," Narf-win-Getag said. He grimaced at his glass. "I'd like this on the rocks," he said, handing it back to Javna.

"Of course, Mr. Ambassador," Javna said, and took the glass to his own bar. "I'm sorry to say that in fact we don't know where she is at the moment."

Narf-win-Getag snorted impatiently. "Secretary Soram seemed convinced she was in your possession," he said.

"Secretary Soram was enthusiastic but not in possession of all the facts," Javna said. He dropped ice into the glass with his tongs. "We know the identity of the woman in question and a member of the State Department has gone to speak to her about giving her assistance. That's where it stands at the moment."

"It seems inconceivable that a secretary in your planetary administration would not be in full possession of the facts," Narf-win-Getag said.

Believe it, Javna thought. "There may have been a misunderstanding of terms," he said instead, and walked over to hand the glass back to Narf-win-Getag.

"Humph," the ambassador said, and took his drink. "Very well. Please speak to your man and tell him we are ready for him to bring the woman in to us."

"He's out of contact," Javna said.

"I beg your pardon?" Narf-win-Getag said." 'Out of contact'? Is that even possible on this planet of yours? Even mountain tribesmen of Papua New Guinea have full-spectrum communicator links. If there's one thing that distinguishes the human species, it is a pathological need to stay connected. The fact your people will interrupt sex to answer your communicators is a scandal across the entire Common Confederation. So you'll understand if I am skeptical when you say your man is out of contact."

"I understand entirely, Mr. Ambassador," Javna said. "Nevertheless, there it is."

"Doesn't he have a communicator?" Narf-win-Getag said.

"He does," Javna said. "He's just not answering it."

"What about the woman?" Narf-win-Getag said. "Surely this Miss Baker has a communicator."

"She does," Javna said, noting that the Nidu ambassador knew Baker's name. "However, hers appears not to be a portable, and she is with our man at the moment."

"Well, isn't that interesting," Narf-win-Getag said. "The only two people on the entire North American continent who cannot be reached in an instant." He set his glass of scotch down, un-drunk. "Ben, I'll give you the courtesy of not suggesting that you are, in fact, willfully holding out this woman for whatever purpose you might have. But I will let you know that when she does show up, it is my sincere hope that she be surrendered immediately to us. Time is very short now—less than a day before our agreed-upon deadline is reached."

"No one is more aware of that than I, Mr. Ambassador," Javna said.

"I'm pleased to hear that, Ben," Narf-win-Getag said. He nodded and turned to go.

"But I should warn you that even when she comes in, she may not agree to be turned over to you," Javna said.

Narf-win-Getag stopped mid-stride. "Come again?" he said.

"She may not agree to take part," Javna said. "As an American and UNE citizen, she has rights. We can't compel her. We can strongly suggest to her the importance of taking part in the coronation ceremony. But when push comes to shove, we can't make her do it."

Narf-win-Getag stared at Javna for a time, and then Javna heard the low, gutteral rumbling that he knew was the Nidu analogue to a good, hearty laugh. "You know, Ben," Narf-win-Getag said, after his rumbling had subsided, "humans never fail to amuse and amaze me. You're all so busy tending to your own personal tree that you don't look around to see that the forest is on fire. It's very honorable that you would maintain that this young woman has a choice in this matter. But if you'll allow me to be frank with you, in about a week of your time, our coronation ceremony has to take place. If it does not take place at the appointed time, then any Nidu clan can formally assert its right to the throne, and I can assure you that many are ready. Nidu will be plunged into civil war, and it's entirely likely—indeed, I would suspect highly probable—the Earth and her colonies will not be able to sit on the sidelines and watch the carnage unaffected. If I were Secretary Heffer—or President Webster—or you, rather than worrying about Miss Baker's rights, I'd be worrying about my responsibilities to my planet and its well-being."

"That sounds ominous, Mr. Ambassador," Javna said.

Narf-win-Getag chuckled, human-style. "Nonsense, Ben. I am merely suggesting what I would do. You may of course see things differently. Hopefully, our young female friend will show up soon and all this will be proven to be idle and pointless speculation. In the meantime, however, I would hope you would do us—do me—the courtesy of forwarding all the information you have on Miss Baker. Perhaps my people will find something there that will allow us all a satisfactory resolution to our present troubles."

"Of course, Mr. Ambassador," Javna said. "I'll have that sent over immediately."

"Excellent, Ben. Thank you for your time." Narf-win-Getag nodded toward his glass. "And thank you for the drink." He left.