Leoh explained the circumstances of Odal’s duels with Dulaq and the Szamo industrialist.
“Dulaq is completely incapacitated and the other poor fellow is dead?” Spencer’s face darkened into a thundercloud. “You were right to call me. This is a situation that could quickly become intolerable.”
“I agree,” said Leoh. “But evidently Kanus hasn’t broken any laws or interstellar agreements. All that meets the eye is a disturbing pair of accidents, both of them accruing to Kanus’ benefit.”
“Do you believe they were accidents?”
“Certainly not. The dueling machine can’t cause physical or mental harm … unless someone’s tampered with it in some way.”
Spencer was silent for a moment, weighing the matter in his mind. “Very well. The Star Watch cannot act officially, but there’s nothing to prevent me from dispatching an officer to the Acquataine Cluster on detached duty, to serve as liaison between us.”
“Good. I think that will be the most effective way of handling the situation, at present.”
“It will be done.”
Sir Harold’s aide made a mental note of it.
“Thanks very much,” Leoh said. “Now go back to enjoying your vacation.”
‘*Vacation? This is no vacation. I happen to be celebrating my birthday.”
“So? Well, congratulations. I try not to remember mine,” said Leoh.
“Then you. must be older than I,” Spencer replied, allowing only the faintest hint of a smile to appear.
“I suppose it’s possible.”
“But not very likely, eh?”
They laughed together and said goodbye. The Star Watch Commander tramped through the grassland until sunset, enjoying the sight of the greenery and the distant purple mountains he had known from childhood. As dusk closed in, he told the aide he was ready to leave.