“They’re scavengers and gypsies. No one seriously thought they’d have the technology to do this,” Basil said impatiently. “I’m surprised they can even keep their own starships running.”

“With all due respect, Mr. Chairman,” Lanyan said, a stiffly formal and even chiding tone in his voice, “you did insist that we offer any idea, no matter how absurd.”

“Yes, yes, I know.” He poured himself a cup of hot cardamom coffee and slurped it, though in his agitated state it seemed tasteless.

Admiral Stromo paged through the documents Lanyan had brought, as if looking for something. He shook his head. “None of us can understand what is going on, Mr. Chairman. We’ve received no threats, no demands. There has been no communication whatsoever from this enemy. What have we done to provoke them? What do they want? We see no pattern as of yet.”

King Frederick finally spoke. “I’d say the attack on Oncier and the destruction of a Roamer skymine are fairly clear indications that the aliens are displeased with something.”

“Thank you for that pithy insight, Frederick,” Basil grumbled. He knew Frederick wasn’t a fool, but he wished the King would remember that he was just an actor, not a true leader.

General Lanyan looked hopeful. “Is there any possibility this could be a secret Ildiran aggression?”

“The Ildirans are our allies and friends,” King Frederick said.

Basil gave him such a look of scorn that the King immediately fell silent. “The Ildirans have claimed no knowledge of the Oncier attack, and the Mage-Imperator certainly seemed unaware of the destroyed skymine at Golgen. On the other hand, he hasn’t offered us any assistance. He seemed to brush aside the news as if it didn’t concern him.”

“If we have a common enemy, then it concerns all of us,” King Frederick said, still insisting on participating in the discussion.

“It is yet to be proved that there is a common enemy. They have made no move against the Ildirans,” Basil said.

“As far as we know,” General Lanyan pointed out. “Remember, we didn’t learn of the aggression against the Roamers until just recently. Maybe the Ildirans won’t admit their own losses. Or perhaps they have secretly designed new attack ships.”

Basil frowned. “Those vessels we saw in Dr. Serizawa’s transmissions were unlike any we’ve ever seen.”

Stromo agreed. “If anything can be said about the Ildirans, they are not the most innovative species. Their warliners have had the same design for centuries, and it took human ingenuity to make any improvements to their stardrive.”

“I am still searching for viable recommendations, gentlemen.” He turned to look at Lanyan’s documents. “If you have no information, General, then what is all that material?”