"And there is simply no other fuel alternative for the faster-than-light stardrive. We've tried everything," said yet another envoy. "We're stuck with what the Roamers provide."

Scowling, Lanyan shook his head. "Current Roamer deliveries don't match even our bare-bones military requirements, not to mention public and civilian needs. We may be forced to impose further austerity measures."

"What further measures?" said the dark-faced envoy from Ramah. "It has been months since my world received a supply delivery. No medicine, no food, no equipment. We have increased our agriculture and mining, but we do not have the infrastructure to survive being completely cut off like this."

"Most of us are in the same situation," the ghostly pale Dremen representative said. "And my colony has entered its low weather cycle, more clouds, lower temperatures. Crop yields are traditionally down thirty percent, and it'll be the same this time. Even in the best years, Dremen would need aid to survive. Now-"

Basil raised his hand to cut off further complaints. "We've had this discussion before. Impose birth restrictions if your agricultural capabilities can't support your population. This crisis isn't going to end overnight, so start thinking in the long term."

"Of course," Peter said with thinly veiled sarcasm. "Let's take away the rights of fertile men and women to decide how many children they need to sustain a colony they've riskedtheir lives to establish. Now, that's a solution the people will like. I suppose you'll want me to put on a happy face and make them accept it?"

"Yes, I will, dammit," Basil said. "That's your job."

The grim news seemed to diminish everyone's appetite. Servants came around pouring ice water, using delicate silver tongs to offer wedges of dwarf limes. Basil sent them away.

He tapped his fingers on the tabletop with uncharacteristic impatience. "We need to do a better job of making the people see just how dire the situation is. We have minimal fuel, not to mention very limited communication abilities, thanks to the continuing lack of green priests from our shortsighted friends on Theroc. Our fast mail drones can do only so much. Now, more than ever, we could use more green priests just to maintain contact between isolated colony worlds. Many planets don't have a single one."

He looked over at Sarein, the dusky-skinned ambassador from the forested world. She was lean and wiry, with narrow shoulders and small breasts, high cheekbones and a pointed chin.

"I'm doing the best I can, Basil. You know that Therons have never been good at seeing the forest for the trees." She smiled to emphasize her clever choice of words. "On the other hand, Theroc has received no routine supplies, no technology, no medical assistance, since this crisis began. It's difficult for me to ask my people for more green priests if the Hansa dismisses our own needs."

Peter watched the interaction between Basil and the pretty Theron woman; from the first days of his reign, he'd recognized the mutual attraction. Now, before the Chairman could respond, Peter squared his shoulders and spoke in the rich voice he had practiced during numerous speeches. "Ambassador, considering the hardships faced by many of our Hansa colonists, we must allocate our resources, giving our own colonies highest priority. Theroc, as a sovereign world, is already much better off than most."