Shey gives her a long look. After a moment, she turns and walks toward the stairwell. But when Leonis holds out her hand for the weapon, Shey passes by without a glance at her, holding on to the gun. As her footsteps recede, the two of us are left alone and unarmed. Leonis takes a deep breath and turns to face me.

“Let us be honest with each other,” she says. “If you truly think the council will believe your word against mine, why aren’t you speaking with the other leaders right now? Why go through such great lengths to speak to me alone?”

I fold my arms over my chest and try to ignore my pounding heart. My bullshit got me to this point, but it’ll get me no further. Now, I need to figure out if this trip was worth all the trouble, or if I just doomed what’s left of my family by coming here.

But Leonis seems more confident than I expected. I didn’t catch much of that broadcast, but I’m guessing it went well for her. She doesn’t seem too concerned about me potentially sharing information with the council. Maybe blackmail isn’t enough. And if I’m going to put my brother into her hands, I need to know we have a solid arrangement. I need to offer her something.

Part of me rebels at the thought of what I’m about to do, but I crush it down. My conscience foiled me once, back on Titan, and I’m not going to let it happen again. I’ll protect my family, save Pol, no matter how much of myself I have to sacrifice to do so.

“I’m not here to have you arrested,” I say. “I’m here to make a deal.”

Leonis’s eyebrows rise, but she says nothing.

“Look, I’m well aware you didn’t intend for us to make it off that planet. You underestimated us, and that’s not a mistake you want to make again.” I take a deep breath and continue. “And I’ve figured out why you’re doing this, too. Your last cycle of crops failed. The other planets already distrust you. Maybe they’re pushing the price of food higher. So you’re getting desperate. You promised your people Gaian independence, and you failed. If drone trade ends now, Gaia will starve.” I study her expression while I talk. A flicker in her confidence makes me pretty sure I’m on the right track. “So you went after Titan for their resources—”

“What are you trying to do?” she cuts me off. “Impress me with your wild guesses?” Despite her apparent disdain, I suspect I was getting too close for comfort.