They were about to board the truck when one of the Frants, standing in the sunlight at the edge of the pavilion, whistled and pointed toward the coast. Sweeping inland, three tiny white points were approaching the telescope. Olmy frowned.

"Mr. Lanier, please take your people back to the telescope. Ser Yates, could you stay close to them?" Yates agreed and followed them back to the center of the pavilion.

"What's happening?"

"I don't know," Olmy said. "We weren't scheduled to be met by gate police."

The three white points grew rapidly to full-sized, blunt-arrowhead craft. The craft circled the telescope and settled on the flat field to the north. The nose hatch of one craft opened, and out stepped Oligand Toller, four gate district representatives and a Frant marked with the green sash of diplomatic authority. Toller walked quickly toward Olmy, eyes directly on his.

"There are difficulties in the Axis City," he said. "I'm instructed to cut off your visit and return all of you to the Axis City immediately."

"Please explain," Olmy requested. "What are the difficulties?"

"Korzenowski factioners and orthodox Naderites have taken illegal authority and cut communications between the precincts. The President has adjourned the Jart conference and left Timbl and is now on his way back to deal with it. We must leave now."

"Wouldn't it be best to keep everyone here?" Olmy asked. "Until the situation becomes more clear."

"It is very clear. The secessionists are trying to force the issue." Toller resorted now to tight-beam picts. The color of his message was an agitated red-edged purple: "Our guests are key figures in this dispute. You know that, Ser Olmy."

Olmy did not pict. "I understand, Ser Toller. But you miss my point. Ser Yates is now ranking human on Timbl, if the President has left."

Toller sized the situation up quickly. "You refuse to release them? I am operating under authority of the President."

"I don't refuse to release all of them," Olmy said. "Only two will remain with us. You may take the others."

Lanier began to protest, but Olmy shot him a glance that demanded silence.

Toller backed a step away. "I could order the gate authority to arrest all of you."

"No bluffing, please, Ser Advocate," Yates warned. "Even an inactive gate opener is obeyed by gate authority. Who is the other you wish to stay with us?" he asked Olmy.

"Mr. Lanier," Olmy said.

"Are you with the secessionists?" Toller asked him, clearly angry now. Olmy did not answer.

"We will keep Patricia Luisa Vasquez and Garry Lanier," he said. "You may take the others."

"We refuse to be separated," Lanier said, stepping forward despite Heineman's hand on his arm.

"You have no choice," Olmy said. "We're past the point of euphemisms and diplomatic games, Mr. Lanier. I choose you in order that you may assist us with Miss Vasquez. The others will be safe."