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to pass judgment.
    “I am sympathetic with the plight of your fellow Earthlings, Brandon, and have only ever welcomed and accommodated them in all my encounters. If I could help you, I would. But this matter is out of my control. The councilmember you are in conflict with denies he possesses the ability to comply with your request, and professes a deeply-ingrained resistance to any kind of cooperation with you.”
    “You’re okay with a murderer continuing to serve in your council?”
    Belle-ub’s hand went up again. “I tend to agree with your adversary that such accusations are an exaggeration, though I understand the source of your emotions. Councilmember Markin1 is a representative in good standing, and is well-supported by a solid due process in his region for his appointment to this position. I cannot become involved in minor local squabbles, or the integrity of just representation may be compromised.”
    Brandon knew he had lost. He looked around the room with a long exhale before taking a final useless stab.
    “He blatantly poisoned 24 Earthlings, and would have poisoned them all had we not stopped him. There is now a significant population of Earthlings intermingled in Torian culture, which makes this more than a minor local squabble.”
    “Brandon,” Belle-ub said in a lower voice. “This Torian was abducted and kept asleep in the very same network for 25 years, at your hands. I would be in a much stronger position to come to your aide had you not already performed your own brand of rogue justice. As it stands, Continent-2 is undergoing a highly-desirable rebuilding phase, which Markin1 is an instrumental part of. I’m sorry, but that trumps your issue at the present time. We’re currently concerned with a much wider view of Torian society. I thank you for coming here today. If you truly become interested in placing another Earthling in the council, they will always be welcome. But I assume today is not that day.”
    Brandon shook his head. “Unfortunately, this issue has farther-reaching effects than you realize. I regret having to put you in the middle of it, Belle-ub. But by taking his side, you are alienating the Torian human population, and, more significantly, all who are sympathetic to our cause. Such a division Markin1 couldn’t be happier to see. Tulros.”
    Brandon turned and walked out a defeated man. Just before exiting, however, he heard Markin1’s voice call after him.
    “Give our regards to the High General.”
    Brandon spun back around. He could now see Belle-ub glaring down at Markin1, obviously upset at his audacity. Brandon realized the best thing he could do at this point was vanish from their sight. So he did. There was at least one small victory at the end, thanks to Markin1’s unchecked ego. That was a weakness. It could well be his undoing.
     
    *
     
    “Extat Brandon, you know I want to help you. But what can I do? Put yourself in my position and honestly ask yourself that.”
    “What about a team of commandos?”
    The cigar fell out of Olut6’s mouth. Brandon couldn’t tell whether he was about to yell or laugh.
    “To hang him upside down and poke him with sticks until he releases the formula,” Brandon added.
    The High General didn’t laugh. He put his unlit cigar back in his mouth, and picked his lightpad up off his desk.
    “I can lend you one or two guards on unofficial leave, as usual. You’ll have to put the rest of that team together yourself. How exactly you choose to persuade your old scientist rival is your business. But I would advise you not to make outright enemies with Belle-ub.” Olut6 tapped on his lightpad and the large screen behind his desk lit up with a galactic map.
    “I remember when you didn’t give a pyrus about how Belle-ub felt,” Brandon said.
    “Still don’t.” The galactic map on the wall began zooming through the Erobian Sphere until it reached the outer edge, where it stopped. “But I’ve come to appreciate the benefits of his