o custody under the pretext of
escorting him to a private meeting with you. While
in custody, and without witnesses, Xindral was to
be terminated and his body buried in a tunnel. The
site was to be returned to its original appearance,
and Xindral's possessions brought to me."

"Where is this site located?"

"My agent was to give me the exact location when
he delivered the Ambassador's personal effects."

"You mean you don't even know where to start
looking? Is that what you're saying?"

"I know the location where they took him down.
Well, I got a problem there too; the subsurface
junction branches off in several directions."

"Is it possible Xindral overcame his restraints
and neutralized your team?"

"Not likely, sir. The observer said he saw
sufficient force used against Xindral when he
resisted to render him unconscious."

Narval sank back into his chair, head lowered,
staring into his lap. Raising his head, he fixed
burning eyes on Scarf.

"Despite your assurances, Scarf, I think it not
only possible, but likely, that Xindral got away
from your team. For all you know, your goons
may be in hiding, afraid to face you with the truth.
If Xindral's still alive, he must have concluded by
now that the attempt against him would not have
occurred without my approval. So, we're committed,
and I can't afford to wait."

He pointed a shaking finger at Scarf.

"Xindral can leave Coldfield only through an air
lock. Post extra guards. Deploy patrols to strips
leading to air locks on the perimeter. Mark him
as a newly arrived renegade, a killer and genetic
flake dangerous to Coldfield's safety. Order your
people to take no chances with him; he is to be
destroyed on sight. I want Xindral found, and
I want him dead. Do it. Now! Move!"

##

Hodak was back from scouting the tunnel up ahead.
The way was clear with an exit a kilometer distant.
The opposite direction would lead them back to the
center of Coldfield.

Brad cocked an eyebrow at Ram. Ram nodded.

Hodak and Kumiko took point, Brad behind Ram. Zolan
and Adari rear guard. They covered ground swiftly.

The passageway widened, and a ramp led up to
a mezzanine from which other tunnels branched.
Ascending the ramp Hodak disappeared into a low,
narrow entryway in the wall. The others followed.
Ram folded to his knees and went flat to squeeze
through. The cut ended abruptly at a rock face.
A ladder rose to the dim outline of a manhole.

Kumiko climbed