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help against the other two Valtegan worlds. They lost their Warrior caste during their equivalent of our Cataclysm— their Fall. The Valtegans have three genetic strains, or castes: the Intellectuals, the Warriors, and the Workers. The Primes have no Warriors at all, only volunteers who are implanted with a device similar to that used on Kusac to boost their aggression levels. Now that Jalna has been discovered by the M'zullians, they fear that it won't be long till their world is found. Then they will need all the help they can get to protect themselves."

With an obvious effort of will, Konis asked, "What of their own allies? Presumably they must have some."

"The TeLaxaudin are slender, fragile beings, totally unsuited to any kind of conflict. What use they are to the Primes, we don't yet know. As far as we're aware, the Primes have no other allies. Let's face it, in the days of their empire, they were busy enslaving other races: they must have made a lot of enemies. Now they use large craft like the Kz'adul to intimidate anyone they meet. So far, it's worked, mainly because they keep themselves to themselves."

"What's their involvement with Jalna? And what do they want from us? Military aid?"

He flicked his ears in agreement. "Yes, in return they'll give us technology which would enable us to break the Chemerians' stranglehold over all the Alliance. I wouldn't like to guess how much more advanced the Primes are than even the Chemerians. They didn't lose their technology during their Fall the way we did because it was mainly based in their walled Imperial city and survived their own global civil war virtually untouched. As for Jalna, it's beginning to look like the Primes were heavily involved in setting it up as a trading port for the Free Traders, probably to ensure those species have no need to venture further into their space."

"Give me the debriefing report now," said Konis gruffly. "Once I've read it, I'll talk to Carrie, then call Rhyasha and tell her about Kusac."

Lijou picked up the comp reader from the table and handed it to him, aware of how close to breaking down his friend was. Only the importance of the task he'd been given was holding him together right now. "Would you like me to leave you on your own for a while?" he asked quietly.

"Yes, thank you, I would," said Konis, blinking rapidly as he looked up at him. "I'm sure you appreciate that this has all been rather a lot to take in. When do you intend to go public with this? You realize you're going to need a very strong campaign to sell the idea of friendship with these Valtegan Primes to our people in view of the destruction of our colony worlds by the other Valtegans."

"We'll start the campaign as soon as we've gotten the treaty sewn up as tight as the proverbial demon fish's arse," said Lijou with a slight attempt at levity. "If we call them Primes and paint them as also being victims of the M'zullian Valtegans, it will help considerably." He got to his feet. "Send to me when you're ready to contact Haven and I'll arrange it. Can I get you anything? Some food, perhaps? I know you came straight from the Palace and missed second meal."

"No. I couldn't eat right now, Lijou."

Lijou left the room, closing the door quietly behind him. Outside, Tamghi, an En'Shalla Telepath from Kusac's clan was waiting for him.

"I sensed you were finished," the young male said, falling into step beside him. "Master Rhyaz wanted to know how it went."

"I'm on my way to join him so I'll tell him myself," said Lijou tiredly. "I appreciate your personal concern in this matter since your Clanspeople are involved. I succeeded in getting him to handle the Prime treaty for us. He'll send to me when he's ready to call them on Haven."

"The last few months have been a dark time for him and his family," said Tamghi. "At least events ended happily for his daughter, Liegena Kitra. I pray it works out as well for our Clan Leaders."

"So do I," said Lijou with feeling.

Haven, the