"Mmm. You have orders to destroy this ship if I refuse, don't you?"
Willis swung to face him. "Ranger, no! You can't, you're too—"
"Stop, you," Arjen interrupted. "This must his decision be. And he right is. If he does not with us come, my fleet will your ship destroy."
"Why do you want me badly enough to violate that signal?" Tarlac asked.
Even to the humans, unaccustomed to Traiti expressions, Arjen looked uncomfortable. "That had I hoped not to say, Ranger. The First Speaker says it necessary is, a Ranger to Homeworld bring. If I more say, it may your crew distress." He hesitated, then went on. "The Supreme's word you have, such a thing will never again done be."
"Damned if I know why," Tarlac said slowly, "but I think you mean that. All of it. Okay, I won't ask. You'll release the ship if I surrender?"
"We ask not that," Arjen replied, offended. "As our guest come, and your ship may freely go."
Willis interrupted their dialogue. "Fleet-Captain."
Arjen turned to her, inclining his head, and despite the discomfort that had led him to omit it before, addressed her with the formal honorific proper to an out-clan female. "I you hear, ka'naya Ship-Captain."
"Ranger Tarlac believes you, so I'm forced to. But I'll also have to report to the Emperor. Why do you want him?"