“Right,” Kalico said, stepping forward. “Now that the dick swinging is finished, let’s get this over with. Charge me with whatever you want. According to my rights under the Corporate Code of Justice, I demand an inquest.”

“You’ll get one,” Soukup promised. “Colonel, you will disarm the Supervisor, place her in restraints, and have her escorted up to Turalon, where she will be placed in the brig to await charges for—”

“I’m going nowhere,” Kalico stated matter-of-factly. “We’ll hold it here.”

“Absolutely not!” Soukup cried, wincing at the pain it cost him.

“You try and take her off the planet,” Shig said mildly, “and we will suffer a most unfortunate reaction from both our people and Supervisor Aguila’s. Physically trying to remove her would, I am afraid, lead to substantial bloodshed.”

“Yeah,” Perez said. “Back to digging graves again.” A pause. “Yours.”

To Creamer’s surprise, it was Cinque Suharto, black, dark, with his eerie eyes, who said, “Board Supervisor Aguila has been informed that she is under arrest for unspecified charges. She submits to the IG’s authority in the matter, but under Corporate Charter and Corporate law, demands an immediate inquest, along with the right to call witnesses. That is her right, Inspector General.”

Shig Mosadek added, “Port Authority offers to host the inquiry. We have the facilities necessary to—”

“She will go back. Face the Board.” Soukup snapped the words, voice brittle.

Cinque turned, fixing those solid black eyes on the IG. “I would have to testify that you denied the Supervisor her rights guaranteed by the Corporate Code to a Corporate—”

“There is no court here,” Soukup told him. “She’ll have to go back. After the death of my Four, I will need time to prepare my case. This is a most irregular situation.”

“Ah,” Cinque gave the man a knowing smile. “It is indeed. And I understand. Without your Third, you don’t have access to her recitation of the regulations, at least, not without reference to Turalon’s database. Had you, you would discover that indeed, such an inquest can be held. The required Corporate officers are available to you in the form of Captain Abibi, her First Officer, Tadeo Chin, and Colonel Creamer here. They provide the minimum of three Corporate officials you need for a tribunal.”

Soukup studied him, thoughtful. His lips pursed. Then he asked, “What is your point here, Suharto?”

“The same as yours.” The smile Cinque gave the man was almost challenging. “I want to see that the guilty get what they deserve.”

Creamer watched the sly smile on Aguila’s lips bend the unsightly scars on her face.

Soukup snorted. “Very well. But remember, Suharto. At the end of this, I retain authority to make or withhold any appointment.”

Creamer saw Perez and Mosadek exchanging knowing glances.