Hoffman nodded, her lips pressed tightly together. Cronberry waited for the requisite ten seconds to consider the statement, then spoke. "We regret your decision. We feel that allegations made against ISCCOM, NATO–Eurospace and the Stone personnel in the past have proven unfounded, based on unfortunate rumors. Is the decision of your superiors final?"

Feodorovski nodded. "The ISCCOM agreements made with regard to the Stone demand the withdrawal of all Stone investigators until these issues are resolved."

"That's completely impractical," Hoffman said.

Feodorovski shrugged, pursing his lips, "Nevertheless, that is what the agreements stipulate."

"Mr. Feodorovski," Hague said, putting both hands on the table, palms up, a gesture which Lanier studied closely, "we believe there are other reasons, not yet stated, for the withdrawal of your personnel. May we discuss these things?"

Feodorovski nodded. "With the warning that none of us are empowered to negotiate or make formal statements."

"Understood. Neither are we. I think we all need to relax a bit, to see our way clear to. . . deal honestly, forthrightly, with each other." He looked at Feodorovski and the others, eyebrows raised in query. They nodded. "Our President has been informed that the USSR believes dangerous information of a technological, weapons-oriented nature has been discovered on the Stone," Hague said.

Feodorovski's face was blank, held in an attitude of polite attention.

"While it is true that NATO–Eurospace has begun the investigation of certain heretofore neglected aspects of the Stone's second and third chambers—"

"Against our wishes and protests," Feodorovski said.

"Yes, but with your final agreement."

"Under duress."

"Indeed," Hague said, again raising his brows and looking down at the desk. "While this has been our ceded area of investigation, there has been no such information discovered aboard the Stone."

And indeed, there had not. The libraries contained no specific information on weapons.

"Under the agreements, any such discovery would be reported immediately to the arbitration board in Geneva."

"That may be so," Feodorovski said. Lanier wondered what purpose the other three served—place-keepers? Backups? Overseers keeping tabs on Feodorovski? "But we are not concerned with such reports. Let me speak frankly." Now he, too, placed both hands on the table, palms up. "I cannot speak formally, remember. As a private citizen, allow me to express my concern in this matter." He took a deep breath, full of worry. "We are all, in a sense, colleagues. We have many of the same interests. Let me say that this report about new weapons technology, this is not an important issue. My government, and the governments of our sovereign ally states, are far more concerned about reports that libraries on the Stone, in the second and third chamber cities, to be specific, contain accounts of a future war between our countries."