Chapter 214: Directive Nine (2)
"Explain that sentence in great detail."
So Draven did.
He gave it to him flat and in order. The Envoy in the plaza. The tail into Sector Four.
The comm-crystal and the interrogation and the clean scan. The Hawks. The strike fleet sitting in the northern yards waiting on a pretext.
And the ceasefire.
Three days of fuel audits and requisition forms, bought from an Elder of Bastion One in exchange for a diplomat returned alive.
When he finished, Helion was quiet for a long moment.
"You negotiated terms with a sitting member of the Capital Senate," Helion said.
"Yes."
"Prisoner exchange. Timetable. Conditions."
"Yes."
"On behalf of Bastion Seven."
"I did not say Bastion Seven."
"Don't play word games with me, boy! You did not have to." Helion took one step forward.
"You are a citizen of this city standing on my soil holding my war. Whatever name you gave her, she heard mine."
The road was very quiet.
