In Kriegel’s office, the self-darkening windows were active despite the fact it was late at night. Maybe he was paranoid, but he liked the extra assurance that nothing could see in. He paced to the door, double-checking to make sure it was locked. After a moment’s consideration, he unlocked it and stuck his head into the hallway. Not a soul was about in either direction. He closed and locked the door again, jerking the knob to ensure it was latched tight. He shuffled to his desk, checking on the three faces which vied for space on his com screen. One was still missing. He paced some more. “My apologies, gentlemen,” a slightly breathless voice from the com addressed the attendees a few minutes later. Kriegel saw the last space on his screen taken up by William Halmer, the administrator of the Security and Intelligence Agency. “Representative Locherbie’s hearings are taking up most of my time, as you know, and I did not get your wave, Representative, until a little while ago.” He bowed to the screen in apology.

“Hearings my pi gu ,” Representative Soong Chu-yu, the chairperson of the Military and Security Oversight committee, cursed in quiet fury. “So, now that we’re all here,” he reserved a pointed glance for Halmer, “we all know by now that earlier today Dr. Matthias Harder was located on Paquin. Colonel, bring us up to speed,” he indicated to the other military man on the screen.

“Yes, Representative. Yesterday we received a report that Dr. Harder was on Paquin. Apparently the doctor was hiding out with a group of traveling musicians. Commander Babcock of the regional command launched a raid this morning.”

“Did we get him, Colonel?” Chu-yu interrupted, impatient with the details.

“No, sir. We just missed him. He boarded a ship for New Melbourne.”

“So, has a system-wide bulletin been issued?

“Yes, sir. All local and Federal agencies in the system have been alerted.”

“Good. He can’t get far, then. I assume you have information on the ship as well?”

“According to the other mus