Shoshone Station: The Galactic Consortium season 2

Episode Five: Adam #24

"I can't thank you enough," Zeta said as she and Jack made for Zeta's offices and the hearing. She'd sobbed on his shoulder and then ended up spending the night on his couch. He'd even insisted on coming to this morning's hearing.

"It's nothing. I know if the situation was reversed, you'd do the same."

"And if I get fired?" she asked.

"We can always use help in our office," he replied, his voice light. "Arneshi said this Androcka can't fire you. And I don't see Arneshi doing it."

"I know, but this hearing—" She broke off and hugged herself. "I don't know what we are even going to talk about. This issue?"

Jack laughed dryly. "Arneshi and Blumenthal are alike in that. Masters of vagueness."

They'd been discussing this all morning and were no closer to an answer. Was this a disciplinary hearing about Zeta not wanting to investigate this matter? Or was this about the matter itself?

Anala greeted them at the office lobby. "I heard. By the Watcher! I'm so sorry." She pulled Zeta into a hug. "If he fires you, I'll quit too. Just watch me."

"The others won't," Zeta muttered.

"No. That will leave Bela in charge, and he's hopeless. Androcka's performance scores will drop on that alone. Serve him right."

Zeta smiled and thanked Anala for her words. Anala remained in the lobby, but Jack followed her into her office. He took a seat in one corner, out of the way. He was only there for moral support.

She sat in her chair and messaged her readiness. Both Androcka and Arneshi appeared promptly. They were in their separate offices, Androcka on the base ship and Arneshi on Saras Station. Arneshi's hologram appeared to her right side, close to her, leaving a gap between him and Androcka. Zeta wondered what that was meant to convey.

"If we may," Androcka said, "I have plenty of matters to attend besides this."

"A moment more," Arneshi replied lightly.

A third hologram appeared. For a moment, it was just a low seat, and then Sarasvat appeared and sat.

Shocked, Zeta bowed quickly. "Princess Sarasvat, ma'am."

Androcka managed to choke out a greeting as well, but he was clearly as shocked to find her here as Zeta was. "Ma'am," he said after a moment. "This is a petty matter, beneath your . . ."

She turned her gaze on him with a look that clearly communicated she didn't need to be told what matters were beneath her. She turned to Zeta. "Speak."

Zeta spoke haltingly at first, about the child's condition and the investigation, how she didn't feel right about it. "If I need to step aside, let another—" she began.

"No," Sarasvat said.

Androcka gave her a triumphant smile. "It's part of our duty to make these reports. She will investigate as Legal demands."

"No," Sarasvat repeated, turning to him. "You put her in this position, knowing. Now you object to what she has to say?" She made a gesture to cut off his reply. "She is the chief diplomat on this station. This matter rests in her hands, not yours and not Legal's. She will see to it, to her satisfaction, no one else's."

Androcka swallowed and then nodded his consent.

Sarasvat turned back to Zeta. "May I offer advice?"

"Of course," Zeta said quickly.

"Sometimes the questions we choose not to ask are more important than the ones we do ask." With this last piece of cryptic advice, Sarasvat dismissed the hearing. The others vanished, leaving her and Jack alone in the room.

"Well, you didn't get fired. And I was hoping to have you in our office," Jack joked. "I have no idea what she meant by the last bit, though."

Zeta smiled at him. "I do."