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 Little more than you do, Hayford said.  I suspected foul play was involved, but I
couldn t prove it. I have investigated the matter.
Laughing and saying  bullshit wouldn t earn him any points with the premier, so
he reined in his temper.  I can t explain how the prototype works. The inventor is dead.
Even Corry was only his assistant.
 Did he keep a journal or some form of technical notes? the premier asked Corry.
Hayford s obvious interest in the prototype shouldn t have surprised her, but
suspicion narrowed her eyes and compressed her lips.  This outing wasn t about the
transportation device.
 I understand that. We ve committed to taking action on behalf of the outposts. I
will see that their standard of living improves immediately. But the fact remains that
you possess a technology in which the coalition is very interested.
 How interested? Korbin swiveled in his chair to face the premier.
 Are you asking for a monetary figure?
 No sir.
Korbin s easy show of deference should have warned Hayford, but he charged on
ahead, oblivious to the trap directly in his path.  Then what do you want?
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 Amnesty, Korbin said evenly.
 Amnesty? the premier echoed.  You will turn over the prototype and all of your
father s documentation if I offer you amnesty?
 It s a bit more complicated than that. I would require a written document
absolving all the rebels of any wrongdoing.
The premier gaped like a fish out of water.  All the rebels? I can t possibly 
 Korbin is being a bit too vague. Corry tried to rescue the negotiation before he
pushed too hard. She d always been the better diplomat.  The only charges for which
we would expect an acquittal are those associated with the alleged kidnapping of
Ashton, Danette and Palmer.
 That would send a message to the coalition and beyond that we can be
manipulated by terrorism. It would be an open invitation for more of the same. There
has to be some form of reprisal for your rash actions.
 But those repercussions don t necessarily have to involve incarceration, Corry
suggested.
 Let me speak with the rest of the council and we ll get back with you.
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Chapter Eleven
Korbin shook Larz s hand and saw him to the door. Triple sweeps had assured
Korbin every surveillance device in the apartment had been removed. He took a deep
breath, reveling in the freedom. He had smashed the coalition s microscope!
A person-to-person page drew his attention to the vidscreen.  Accept call.
Corry s smiling image appeared and Korbin returned her smile, feeling relaxed for
the first time in weeks.
 They couldn t wait to get rid of you, I see, she said playfully.  I went to the
detention center to say goodbye and you were already gone.
 They remitted me into the custody of Warden Restien. I don t have many fans on
Halley Prime, but Borrelly can t live without me. His smile slipped a bit as he went on.
 I hear congratulations are in order.
 I haven t decided if congratulations or condolences are more appropriate, but it s
official. I m outpost liaison, which makes me one of them.
He winked at her.  You would have been a citizen anyway as soon as Ashton
marries you.
She blushed to the roots of her hair, and Korbin laughed.
 He hasn t even asked me yet.
 He will. I ve seen the way he looks at you.
They were quiet for a time as her gaze searched his.  Have you spoken with
Danette?
 No, and I don t expect to. What s the point? I have nothing to offer someone like
her.
 You underestimate yourself.
He just shrugged.
 I had an interesting conversation with Premier VinDerley a few minutes ago. The
executive council has agreed to drop all charges and seal the records as soon as I find
Dad s journals. I know they re here somewhere. It s just a matter of sorting through all
this clutter.
 Haven t others tried to find them?
 Yes, but I know what I m looking for.
He chuckled and waved her away.  Get to it! I m under house arrest until they re
found.
 Behave yourself. I ll talk to you soon.
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Aubrey Ross
The screen blinked off and a heaviness settled over Korbin s heart. He d tried so
hard not to think about Danette. Why did Corry have to mention her?
Long hours of isolation and boredom had forced him to face his deepest fear. He
was very much in love with his captive, but even love didn t change who they were,
how they d been reared. She was a princess and he was a pauper. Korbin had outgrown
fairy-tales.
The door buzzer sounded and Korbin dragged himself from his discontented
thoughts. Larz must have forgotten something. Korbin already checked in with the
warden, and no one else on Borrelly knew he was here.
He raised the privacy panel, and felt his heart miss a beat. Danette stood before
him, a vision in red and gold.  What What are you doing here? He whispered the
words, afraid the vibration of his voice would disintegrate the hallucination.
 May I come in?
This couldn t be real, yet there she stood, smiling innocently. Swallowing hard, he
stepped out of the way and she moved into the foyer. Her fresh scent wrapped around
him as he turned and secured the door. He scrambled for an explanation, paralyzed by
possibilities.
He closed his eyes. His body ached, longed for for things he had no right to want.
 I did it.
Her casual tone made him turn around. She tucked a strand of long blonde hair [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]