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"Impressive."
Helger's shrug seemed less genuine than his small, satisfied smile. "It was thought that as we moved toward joint operations here on Delta Pavonis Three, it w...
"Well, that was clearly achieved. And the other half of your credentials are, I'm sure, equally impressive."
Helger's face went protectively blank. "What other credentials are you referring to?"
"Your prior experience as an EU administrator, of course."
Helger's face did not change. "Mr. Riordan, I regret that I do not have time for a casual chat-"
You mean you don't want to admit that the first day you worked for the EU was the day you stepped onto the tarmac at the Dee Pee Three Downport.
"-so I must ask that we constrain our discussion to official matters. Firstly, I have now received your dossier-"
Obviously. If you hadn't, you wouldn't have let me set foot in your little fiefdom.
"-and I must say I am somewhat puzzled: who, exactly, do you represent?"
"Officially? No one."
Helger was clearly not prepared for such a frank admission. "Then how did you get this rather sweeping writ of cooperation from the European Union?"
"That was a courtesy, provided at the request of Senator Tarasenko, head of the United States Congressional Committee on Strategic Space Initiatives."
"So you are an official representative of the US government? And not the Commonwealth in toto?"
"Neither. I am not a representative of any one government, which is why the other Commonwealth nations-as well as the EU-were willing to accept me as a genera...
"And your credentials are-?"
"I am an analyst and a writer, Mr. Helger."
"So I see. But without any particular experience in xenobiology or-"
"Mr. Helger, unless a large delegation was to be sent, there was no way to address all the specializations required for this investigation: xenobiology, xenoz...
"Law? I'm not sure I understand."
"Mr. Helger, since you arrived here, there have been a number of legal irregularities which have caused friction back home. You've imposed airspace restrictio...
Helger sat; he did not invite Caine to do so. "I am afraid that is where your analysis is already flawed, Mr. Riordan. The survey was conducted by CoDevCo, no...
Caine sat. "Mr. Helger, the wording of your joint agreement-of which I have a copy-quite explicitly states that the EU's existing agreements with other partie...
"I'm sorry we have such a difference of interpretation, Mr. Riordan, but I am not about to change my operations based on your reading of this contract."
"It is not my reading, Mr. Helger: I am following an explication from lawyers at The Hague."
"Regardless, I do not recognize your authority here."
"Then I'm sorry to say that I must immediately suspend your downport's interface operations with the highport."
Helger laughed, leaned back. "Mr. Riordan, do you really expect me to pick up the phone and ground my spaceplanes? Just because you tell me to do so?"
"No, Mr. Helger. I know you won't take any directives from me. But the system Port Authority will."
Helger was no longer smiling or leaning back in his chair. "You cannot do this. Port facilities-no matter who owns them-must be kept freely available to all n...
"That's true. It's part of the international colonization covenant. But then again, you've decided to ignore that covenant. Now, as I understand contract law,...
"This is outrageous: it is blackmail."
"It seems more like blackjack to me, Mr. Helger. You bet that you held the better cards and were willing to reject recognizing my authority. But now it seems ...
C'mon, Helger: take the bait.
Helger did. "What exactly do you mean by that, Mr. Riordan?"
"I mean that it would be best if we could avoid a showdown, Mr. Helger. Yes, I'd win-but at what cost? I can do a better job here if I have your cooperation. ...
"I'm listening."
"I'd be happy not to suspend your Port Authority rights. And-for now-you can keep your airspace and regional exclusivity. But I need to be able to go wherever...
Come on, take the step-
Helger's lower teeth sought, and chewed lightly at, his neat moustache. "Agreed."
Caine managed to effect boredom as he looked out the window. That had been close: if Helger had pushed, he'd have found out that I only have the authority to ...
"Of course, I will want to confirm this with your superiors."
Trying to see if I flinch, if I've overplayed my hand. Without looking away from the window, Caine shrugged. "Suit yourself. But I think you'll find that the ...
Helger did not say anything, but stared at his commplex for three full seconds. Then he rose: "It is a shame we got off to such a bad start. Here, allow me to...
Caine rose also, ignoring the bait. "I'd like to stow my gear first, Mr. Helger."
"Certainly. Best that you should find your room before trying to find anything else."
Caine did not return Helger's knowing smile. The issue of what he'd find on Delta Pavonis Three had suddenly become secondary. The far more urgent question wa...
Chapter Five
ODYSSEUS