"My apologies, Administrator Weng, but I must voice my disagreement." The formality grated at her, but Jiya knew that a cautious approach would bear more fruit with this circle than a reckless one. "I respect your concerns, I do, but I also know what I saw. And while true, at least two of the capsules in all probability had no survivors, with some luck the third capsule may have landed rather than crashed."

"And the fourth?" This came from Luttman, the one voice that seemed eager for a rescue mission.

"Please Chief Luttman," Administrator Weng said. "Our decision has been made."

Jiya took a risk and plowed on. "I can't say with any certainty on the fourth. Last I saw the pinwheels were swarming it, but I lost sight of it on my way back to the station. Ultimately I didn't see what happened to it.

"And we appreciate that honesty, Dr. Kapoor." Despite his words, Administrator Weng eyed her like he might a petulant child. "But enough reports came in from around the colony and other eyewitnesses are certain that all four capsules crash-landed with little if any chance of survival."

"Were any of the other accounts made from the northeastern edge of Haruka Lake? Were they made from an elevated position with a clear line of sight? Were they anywhere close to that far out in the quarantine?"

Administrator Meng glanced to the Chief of Human Resources, Kagami Hino. She shook her head. "No sir, none beyond half a kilometer into quarantine."

Meng rubbed at his temples, and returned his gaze to Jiya. "Be that as it may, do you really expect me to weigh your account greater than the half a dozen other reported sightings?"

"Please excuse any impertinence, sir." With each submissive utterance Jiya wanted to vomit, but she had to approach Meng with some measure of tact. "But as I was nearly three kilometers closer than any other sighting," she continued, "and with a better vantage point, yes, I do. I think that you should consider my report with greater weight."

Before Meng could respond, Dr. Ocampo burst in. "That's enough, Dr. Kapoor. You will not push this matter further. And for that matter, you have no business being so far out from the station."

Jiya pictured the water of Lake Armstrong again. The ripples had increased in intensity and the wind had picked up, tugging at her mother's sari. The sands gathered in the wind and blasted at them both, and Aiakar, the second sun, had hidden beneath an encroaching cloud. Still, the summer smells of the lake and the dampness of the sand between her toes remained. Calm, she told herself. Just keep your calm.

She turned to face her boss, Dr. Ocampo. "My apologies, ma'am, but I have to insist. On both matters. My work is dependent upon field research, and the closer I remain to the station, the less natural the behaviors that I am observing."

"You've had years of field research. Now's not the time."

"Moreover," Jiya pushed on, knowing that Dr. Ocampo would make her pay for it later, "the nature of whether I should or shouldn't have been at the shoreline is irrelevant to the current discussion. I was there. I saw what I saw. And my account is inherently and statistically more accurate than the other reports received. To dismiss it, and to make a judgement with its exclusion, would be disingenuous. So I apologize, but I think that the matter should be reconsidered."

"I agree," Luttman said. Not a man for words, he kept his remarks brief. "I can have a team ready in the hour."

All eyes turned to Meng.

"I appreciate your willingness Chief Luttman, but the agreement of this council was that sending a security team that far out towards the perimeter would put too many men at undue risk, especially given the vital security concerns at Lacroix proper. Factoring in the likelihood that there are no survivors and I just can't see how we can justify sending anyone."

"We could keep it a small detail. Four men total."

"Which would cut security by a third and you know it. It's much too risky."

"A two man security detail accompanying a civilian search party."

"This is absurd." Meng shifted his attention back to Jiya. "I apologize Dr. Kapoor, but it appears that this council has not finished deliberations. Please excuse us."

"Yes, sir." Jiya made to leave.

"We'll discuss this in the morning." Dr. Ocampo might as well have stared daggers at Jiya. Yes, work the next day would be brutal. Probably for a lot longer than that.

"Of course, Dr. Ocampo. Whenever would be convenient with your schedule." Jiya bowed her head in deference and stood. That's when she felt a firm hand grip her arm. Dr. Li Meilin held her in place, yet offered no words to Jiya. Her focus lay elsewhere, staring down her fellow council members.

"Administrator Meng, there is no need for Dr. Kapoor to be excused. We will proceed with her present." Dr. Li released her grip on Jiya, motioning for her to sit. "Else I fear we will find ourselves in the same position when we call her back with our decision."

Jiya shifted her gaze from Dr. Li to Meng, uncertain of proper protocol. She didn't dare directly defy Administrator Meng, but Dr. Li's word carried weight far beyond that of her position.

"Be that as it may," Meng started, "council business is not discussed --"

"Don't presume to lecture me on protocol, Meng. She stays." Dr. Li craned her neck towards Jiya, still standing at her chair. "Dear girl, please sit down. My poor neck can't take the strain of staring up at you all day."

Jiya sat. To her left she could see Dr. Ocampo fuming.

"Thank you." Dr. Li returned all attention to Administrator Meng. "I think it is time you reweigh this matter. Tides have turned."

"Dr. Li, we all respect your experience, but you will refer to me as Administrator Meng, and you will defer to my decisions in the presence of non-council members."

"Hogwash."

"Excuse me?"

"We all know experience is just a coward's way to say old." Meng reddened as Dr. Li dressed him down. "And your insistence on protocol is ridiculous. If we can't reach the Coalition, they can't reach us, nor monitor us, so this insistence is nothing more than a peacock strutting its feathers."

"Dr. Li, you are on very dangerous ground."

"And I have tread there most of my life, sir. That doesn't change facts. Robert here," she gestured towards Chief Luttman, "obviously wants to send a team. We all know Chet is a bleeding heart and agrees with Luttman." Chief Hardison nodded, his multiple chins wobbling as he did. "Diwa clearly opposes a party being sent, but her motivations are questionable as she clearly has no respect for Jiya."

"It's Dr. Ocampo or Dr. Diwa Ocampo if you must."

"Yes, please lecture me on protocol. We all know how I love that." Dr. Li shook her head. Kagami and Ben would agree with you even if you insisted 2+2 was 3, so personally I hold little stock in their votes, and Umesh looks ready to puke, so I'd suggest he's on the fence."

Administrator Meng ran his hand through his thinning hair. This had gone on long enough. "Even so, Dr. Li, with Dr. Ocampo, Chiefs Hino and Alexander, and myself we have four votes against. Even with Chiefs Luttman and Hardison in your corner, you only have three votes."

"Four." The answer came muffled, but clearly discernible.

"Excuse me, Chief Jindal. I believe you abstained."

Umesh Jindal licked his lips, one of many nervous habits. "Yes, sir. And then we reopened discussion."

"Holy hell." Meng lost his composure, slamming his hand on his desk. Realizing his lapse, he tensed his fingers, then swigged his glass of water, while he fought back his temper. "Fine," he began again. "I still don't see how this grants you a victory, Dr. Li. We are deadlocked at best."

"Which is why I move to have Diwa's vote stricken due to conflict of interest."

Meng sighed. "Lao Li, before this night is over you are going to give me an ulcer, you know that?"

"I am aware, sir, yes."