"They still believe in everything Malakat told them," Jason said, "but we certainly caught them in surprise. I think we succeeded in making them think things through."
Some of the Earth Senators sat together on a table. Others had watched their report from an own window on the holographic screen.
"Well," Sokolow said from beside De Souza and Rugeaux, "history taught us that even the tiniest flicker of doubt can make the difference between war and peace."
"It was very brave of you to go visit the lion's cave," Rugeaux added, "but also very dangerous."
"There is no need for that patronising tone," Jason replied. Rugeaux blinked and he regretted his harsh tone immediately. "We knew exactly what we were doing," he went on gentler. "We always handled situations our own way and we are no children anymore."
De Souza crossed her arms with a sour face. "Nevertheless, you should have told us before you went."
"No," Neri said, "it had to be this way. "
"You still don't understand how different we are from you," Mera added. "Planning in case of a deceit is not something we do. The concept is not in our nature. Malakat maybe did change things in the people but we felt they still doubt his way of violence. They are confused and afraid."
"We took a leap of faith and it was rewarded," Shalamorn took over.
"Leap of faith?" De Souza asked sarcastically. "They took a hostage! Sorry to break your illusions, Princess, but these are terrorists you're trying to deal with!"
"I know the policy of the Global Union towards this subject," Jason addressed her, "but we had to go anyway. Terrorists of the Ocean Planet are still preferable to those on Earth. We weren't tortured or something. We came out unharmed and they won't do anything to Shersheba. As much as I hated the idea of leaving her there it might come in handy having a friend in their midst."
"Wasn't this Shersheba Malakat's associate?" Bricks asked. "I always wondered why you let her off the hook so quickly. Are you sure you can trust her?"
"Shersheba made up for her errors," Shalamorn replied in an end-of-discussion tone for which Jason was grateful. "It was thanks to her Malakat could be stopped."
De Souza's eyes were fixed on Jason. He held the gaze until she broke the eye contact to get back to Shalamorn. "We both know," De Souza said, "I don't put a lot of faith in your judgement, Your Majesty. But if Jason calls Shersheba a friend, I might call her an ally – with reservations, of course."
Most of the senators clearly had a hard time to hide their surprise. Rugeaux and Ferrére smirked while Bricks grinned openly.
De Souza ignored them. "When it comes to this trial, we will take our part in it."
The atmosphere in the pyramid's conference room cooled down in an instant.
"They will hardly consent," Shalamorn interjected with a frowned forehead.
"Malakat is standing trial for the crimes he committed on both our planets," De Souza replied relentlessly. "Of course, we will be involved. The people of Earth have every right to take part in seeking justice for their losses."
"You can't be serious!" Mera cried. "They didn't even agree yet to the trial in the first place and you want to involve the public?!"
Even Rugeaux didn't seem to be comfortable with the idea. "We don't know how to break the news to begin with, Katherina. Don't you think we should take one step at a time?"
"Jason," Neri took his arm, "what do you think?"
Jason's and De Souza's eyes met. "You thought about that, too," she stated with a satisfied smirk.
He nodded. If he had had any doubt about the weight of his opinion in this room, the reactions of the senators and the people surrounding him certainly would have him realised it for good.
The total resentment was gone. Despite her still visible reservations, even Mera watched him now with curiosity. The beginning anger in Shalamorn's face had been replaced by a gentler expression.
"Yes, the idea crossed my mind. When the public decides about the grant for asylum it would be of great help if they could direct their fear and anger towards one man or small group of Ocean People," he explained. "It's gonna be difficult enough to convince them not to judge the Ocean People as one enemy."
"It's a good thought," Rugeaux admitted, "but do you really think they will agree to this change of conditions?"
"Actually, they stay the same," Jason replied. "The vote still has to be unanimous. It wouldn't matter so much if half of our party consists of humans."
"I'm afraid it will matter to the council," Shalamorn interjected with a sigh. "They'd rather see things settled between our midst before Earth People are included."
"Things can never be settled until we are included," De Souza said sharply. "Malakat was the one who made an interplanetary conflict out of a civil war situation."
"Yes, it is the right thing to do," Neri tossed in and cut Shalamorn who was about to reply. "So many have suffered from Malakat's doing. Earth and Ocean People. It is a new beginning and we have to make things right. If the councillors are really on our side they will agree."
Jason felt a rush of pride that she caught up his line of thoughts so quickly. He kept himself from touching her although she stood so close to him that probably no one would notice it – except De Souza maybe. But this was no time to be affectionate. He gave her a quick smile instead.
"Well, in my experience," Mera said smirking, "it's no use arguing against the both of them."
"Regarding the recent accomplishment," De Souza replied, seeking eye contact with Jason, "along with others, I tend to share your belief in our intergalactic power couple."
Her comment raised chuckles along the senators. De Souza's tone had been a little teasing but nevertheless, they had won her over. Jason doubted she would ever stop questioning every move they made and challenge Shalamorn every step of the way. But for the moment, they had won her over.
Neri also seemed to remember their conversation about De Souza in Vancouver. She gave him a relieved smile.
"Ok, an interplanetary trial it is," Ferrère summed up. "How shall we proceed until our next meeting?"
"Now we have to wait for the rebels decision," Shalamorn answered. "We will talk to the council and continue to deepen our relationship with our people. We plan to visit some temples and shrines in the next couple of weeks."
Rugeaux nodded. "And we will start the inducting process. We plan to let in chosen scientists of several national and international space agencies like NASA and ESA, especially those involved in projects in the search for extraterrestrial intelligence. All those phenomenona in the last couple of years has already raised suspicion. To many, the news will not come surprisingly."
"Please call us if we can be of any assistance," Shalamorn offered.
"We will," Rugeaux replied. "Especially Jason has been proven to be the key to a better understanding. Dr Seth and Paul Bates have already agreed to support our efforts to get in touch with the scientists. It is unfortunate, that Dr Bates is not available at the moment. May I asked what happened?"
"Private reasons," Jason said shortly in a terminating tone. Rugeaux blinked but he went on before she could yet ask another question. "You should contact Dr Hellegren from UBRI as well."
"Hellegren?" De Souza asked frowning. "Wasn't he the scientist who imprisoned your pet whale?"
"Yes, he is," Jason replied.
"And you think he can be trusted?" Rugeaux wanted to know.
"He maybe not but I would trust his daughter with my life."
"Lena is our friend," Neri added. "She kept our secret and risked her life to protect the synchronium."
Bricks blinked. "The synchro... what?"
"Long story," De Souza answered. "I'll fill you in later."
"He didn't tell anyone," Mera said, "and I think he learned his lesson."
"Almost losing his daughter to his own ambition was definitely a wake-up call," Jason agreed.
"As it would be to anyone," De Souza replied quietly, then cleared her throat. "We will contact him."
They ended the call quickly but Neri stared thoughtfully at the communication device. Jason touched her tenderly by the shoulder. "Are you alright?"
"What happened to her daughter?" she wanted to know.
"I don't really know much about that," Jason confessed. "According to an official statement, her daughter Kyla De Souza was at the wrong time at the wrong place. She got hurt during a raid in a club known as a drug dealing platform and ended up paralysed."
"This woman has a lot of anger," Shalamorn sighed.
"Most Earth People do," Mera added.
A loud noise from the communication device prevented them from deepening the conversation, and when Shalamorn answered, a half relieved, half angry Brett appeared before them.
"Finally!" he breathed. "It's been three days – three bloody days! – I thought you'd be dead by now! Did it ever occur to you to call?"