"Allow it," Aurelian said. "But under supervision."
"Vaela requested to attend."
"She can."
Rhoswen looked toward the prisoner wing.
"Can I attend?"
"No."
"Why?"
"Because I want them to answer questions."
"I can ask questions."
"I know."
"That sounded insulting."
"It was practical."
Rhoswen sighed.
Aurelian returned to the Compact records.
One detail bothered him.
The courier had not been alone when it entered the region.
Its navigation log showed a short-range communication handshake with another vessel two jumps before reaching Sanctuary Ardent. That ship had not appeared on the sanctuary sensors.
"Eirenne, what was this?"
"I am still checking."
"Another scout?"
"Possibly."
Aurelian enlarged the record.
The second ship used a merchant identification signal, but its transmission encryption matched Compact naval equipment.
It had separated from the courier at a system called Greywake Passage, a quiet route beyond the Compact frontier.
