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Wolff started to say something rash； but checked himself； slicking back his hair in a gesture of exhaustion。 〃I'm sorry； Lang。〃 He turned and motioned Janice and Sarna forward； then pointed to Burak and Tesla。 〃I want these two placed in lockup。〃 Peripherally； Wolff caught Lang's look。 〃I'll explain；〃 he told him。
As everyone began to move off； Lang mentioned that the Regent had e to Tirol of his own volition； that he was in fact on the fortress at that very moment。
Wolff made a surprised sound…but not half the one Tesla uttered at overhearing the statement。 Wolff was too wrapped up in Lang's subsequent remarks to hear it； however； but had he turned； he would have seen the look of near rapture on the Invid's suffused face。
The Plenipotentiary Council convened in extraordinary session to listen to Colonel Wolff's report and hear out his requests。 Because both Janice and Sarna were 〃civilians〃 according to the council's guidelines； Wolff had to face the twelve alone。 The session was held in the council's private chambers aboard the fortress； with the usual secretaries and officials in attendance。 Representing the RDF were Generals Reinhardt and Edwards。 Wolff had yet to learn about Edwards's relationship with Minmei； but he loathed the man nonetheless。 Lang had instructed Wolff before the session convened to meet with him afterward in the scientist's quarters。 〃No matter what the oute；〃 Lang had said。 And those words were repeating themselves now as Wolff stood before the council recapping the events of the past four months。
〃。。。But it appears that the Praxians abandoned their world for good reason；〃 Wolff was concluding a short time later。 〃Praxis is unstable。 Admiral Hunter…〃
〃I would caution Mr。 Wolff from using any honorifics；〃 one of the council members said。 〃The council no longer recognizes you as members of the Robotech Defense Force。〃
〃Some of the council；〃 Niles Obstat objected。
〃Most of us。〃
Wolff scowled at the woman。 〃Then why aren't Janice and Sarna here； if we're all civilians？〃
〃Mr。 Wolff；〃 Senator Longchamps cut in； 〃we are just trying to set things straight for the record。 You and the Hunters； Sterlings； and Grants are understood to be a part of the Expeditionary mission。 The extraterrestrial Sentinels are another matter。 And as for Ms。 Em； she has never been affiliated with the RDF…or the mission； for that matter； if I'm not putting too fine a point on it。〃
Wolff fought down an explosive urge to tear the man's throat out。 〃I apologize to the council if I may seem impatient；〃 he continued more calmly； 〃but the fact is that our friends are out there； marooned on a planet that for all I know is just a memory by now！ All I'm asking you for is one ship with a skeleton crew。〃
〃To do what； Mr。 Wolff？〃 Thurgood Stinson asked。 〃To rescue your friends； to be sure。 But what then…continue on your campaign； or return to Tirol？〃
Wolff tightened his lips。 〃I don't think I'm qualified to answer that； Senator。〃
〃And we're not certain we can spare a ship just now； Mr。 Wolff。〃
Justine Huxley broke the unfortable silence。 〃I think we're missing the point here。〃 She motioned to Wolff。 〃Friends； is the term the colonel used。 I ask you all to disregard for a moment the events of the past four months； and recall our first meeting with the Sentinels； especially the pledges that were exchanged then。〃
As the council members grumbled agreement in their individual fashions； Wolff caught Exedore and Lang sending hopeful looks in his direction。
Then Edwards got to his feet to address the twelve。
〃I'd be the first to admit that the Sentinels are both our friends and allies；〃 he began； 〃but there's an important issue here that's being neglected…the Invid。 The Regent's position is very clear： any assistance we render will be considered a further act of war。 And he makes no distinction between Humans and XTs in this matter。〃
Wolff's heart sank。
Edwards waited for the room to quiet。 〃I don't think it's necessary for me to remind the council of the presence of the Invid fleet。 I'm not saying that if it came right down to mixing it up with them we couldn't e out on top； but the results of an engagement in any case would have disastrous effects on our long…range goal…to repair our ship and return to Earth。 I'm sure General Reinhardt and Admiral Forsythe concur in this matter。〃
Reluctantly； Reinhardt inclined his head； averting Wolff's gaze。 Edwards； however； was regarding Wolff。
〃The timing couldn't be worse； Wolff。 I'm sorry。 Perhaps if we wait until the truce is signed…say； six months or so…〃
〃They don't have six months！〃 Wolff shouted。 He looked to the council。 〃One ship！ One goddamned…〃
〃The council will take these things into consideration and render its judgment in a few days； Mr。 Wolff；〃 the senator bit out； his face flushed。
〃But…〃
〃In a few days； Wolff。〃
The senator's gavel went down。
〃It is fate at work！〃 Tesla roared jubilantly。 〃Do you see； Burak…does it escape you how we came to be here； how we were meant to be here？〃
Burak screwed up his devil's face and gestured to their surroundings。 〃Here？ Meant to be here？〃
Tesla made a dismissive motion。 〃In this ship at this particular time；〃 he emphasized。 〃With the Regent close enough to touch。〃 His hands flexed around an invisible throat。
The two conspirators were sequestered in the fortress's confinement area； opposite one another in separate laser…barred cells。 Burak was sullen…faced； perched on the edge of an aluminum…framed bunk studying his hands； while across the corridor Tesla paced back and forth。
〃We must find a way out of here；〃 the Invid said； ing to a halt。 〃I must。。。talk to him； convince him…〃 He whirled to face Burak。 〃You don't think they would keep my presence from him a secret； do you？〃
Burak shrugged。
〃I cannot take the chance；〃 he muttered； back in motion once more。 〃Burak； do you still wish to see your planet freed from its curse？〃
〃You know I do； Tesla。 But how can I help you now？ They've even taken your fruits from my care。〃
〃Never mind the fruits。〃 Tesla cautiously pushed his hand into the lasers' field； and winced at the resultant burn。 〃Just do as I ask when