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first time I have heard of
it.’
    ‘Really.’ There was a dramatic pause and then Dr van Terfel turned back to Hera and studied her for a moment over her glasses. ‘I regret, Dr Melhuish, that until such time as
your proposal has been discussed with all parties concerned, it would not be appropriate for it to be discussed in this forum. We can not risk being accused of favouritism or making backroom
deals.’
    At this point the secretary general intervened smoothly: ‘Ladies, I hate to break up a party, but I for one have another meeting to attend, and I know that Dr van Terfel has contact time
scheduled with the two other worlds that have been recommended for Disestablishment. I propose that we call it a day for the time being. Your request for an appeal has been noted, Hera, and will be
actioned tomorrow. However, the time frame is short – all part of our efficiency drive – so the appeal may be heard the day before the next Council meeting, which is –’ he
looked away and received some information from one of the aides in attendance ‘– which is . . . in exactly four weeks’ time.’ He turned immediately to Captain Abhuradin
before Hera could speak. ‘Now, Inez, you have not had much part to play in this debate. How have you and your staff reacted to the news?’
    ‘Well, there was shock and some dismay, naturally, and we will be very sad to depart. But I think we all are pretty professional about these things. We all knew that no planetary posting
is permanent. Most are already thinking about the posting they would like to put in for, and some may seek to take early retirement.’
    ‘To be expected. And I think in cases such as these, where a change of appointment is the result of a policy change and not a matter of discipline, the Space Council can afford to be
generous. The same goes for your team, Hera. And now I think we must end. This has been a most fruitful and frank exchange and I would like to thank all parties for their participation. Till the
next time. Au revoir.’
    The figures of Dr van Terfel and Secretary Isherwood shrank suddenly to a point of light which then blinked out.
    Captain Abhuradin let out a breath. ‘Well, that van Terfel woman is something else, isn’t she?’
    Hera did not want to speak for the moment. She was in turmoil. She felt outmanoeuvred, humiliated even. More particularly, she felt she had been set up by Abhuradin, who, for all Hera knew,
might have had prior information or secret talks with the Space Council. She looked across at the captain, who was sitting back in her chair, had undone the top button of her uniform jacket and was
now paying attention to her make-up.
    ‘This was your idea, wasn’t it?’
    Captain Abhuradin looked across at her in surprise. ‘What do you mean
my
idea? And why are you looking at me like that? I’ve told you already that Tim Isherwood asked me to
set up the meeting, which I did. I didn’t realize it was going to be so short. And you have nothing to complain about. You got the lion’s share of the time. There were a number of
things I would have liked to say, but we ran out of time.’ She closed the small make-up mirror with a snap.
    ‘As far as I am concerned it was a trap. I was a fool to agree to a conference. In fact I didn’t agree to it; it was sprung on me. And I think you were responsible for
that.’
    The young technician who had set up the tri-vid link and who had now come back into the studio, stood looking at the two women in some embarrassment. ‘Er . . . will that be all?’
    ‘Yes, that will be all, thank you,’ said Abhuradin crisply. ‘Are there any more calls logged or is this studio free?’
    ‘No. No more calls.’
    ‘Good. Close the door when you go. And we don’t want to be disturbed. Understood?’
    ‘Yes, ma’am.’ He came to attention and saluted.
    ‘Dismissed.’
    As soon as the door was closed, Abhuradin rounded on Hera. ‘How dare you speak to me like that, and in front