Kerzhinsky stood up abruptly. "Gentlemen. You realize there is now very grave tension between our nations, perhaps the gravest since the 1990s. It is our opinion that troubles aboard the Stone are jeopardizing world peace. The Stone is increasing tensions, particularly with regard to this issue about libraries. It is obvious that we cannot resolve these difficulties at this level of dialogue. Therefore, I see no further need for discussion here."

"Mr. Kerzhinsky," Hoffman said. "I have a paper here I believe your Party Secretary should see. It states the position of all the scientists aboard the Stone with regard to cooperation. And I think it clarifies the rumors of harassment."

Kerzhinsky shook his head and tapped his forefinger on the table several times. "We are no longer interested in such posturings. Harassment is not the issue. The libraries are the issue. Talks are proceeding at a formal level right now. We can only hope for better results there." The four stood and Hague escorted them to the door.

Outside the door, a secret service agent took them in charge. Hague closed the door and turned back to the others. "That," he said, "is that."

"Makes me sick," Lanier said in an undertone.

"Oh?" Cronberry said, rising halfway from her seat. "And what would you have us do, Mr. Lanier? You're the one responsible, you know that? You didn't keep a tight rein on security, and now we have this mess. . . this goddamn diplomatic catastrophe. Why did you ever open the libraries in the first place? Couldn't you just smell the trouble they'd cause? I would have smelled it, by God. The whole place must reek."

"Shut up, Alice," Hoffman said quietly. "Stop behaving like an ass."

Cronberry glared at them all, then sat down and lit a cigarette. The way she fumbled at the lighter and clenched the cigarette between tight fingers made Lanier queasy. We're way out of our depth here, he thought. Children playing with real guns, real bullets.

"The President called yesterday," Hoffman said. "He's very angry about the libraries. He wants them closed and all research halted. He says we've let things get out of control, and I can't really disagree with him. Garry is no more to blame than any of us. At any rate, the President is going to order the Stone Congressional Oversight Committee to put all research on hold until further notice. The Russians are going to get what they want."

"How long do we have?" Lanier asked.

"Until the order goes through channels? A week, probably."

Lanier grinned and shook his head.

"What's there to be amused about?" Cronberry asked coldly, wrapped in a loose shell of smoke.

"The records say we have two weeks before the war."