“I’m going to leave the Acquataine Cluster and return to Carinae.”
“What? But you can’t! I mean—”
“Why not? I’m not accomplishing anything here. Whatever it is that this Odal and Kanus have been doing, it’s basically a political problem, and not a scientific one. The professional staff of the machine here will catch up to their tricks sooner or later.”
“But, sir, if you can’t find the answer, how can they?”
“Frankly, I don’t know. But, as I said, this is a political problem more than a scientific one. I’m tired and frustrated and I’m feeling my years. I want to return to Carinae and spend the next few months considering beautifully abstract problems about instantaneous transportation devices. Let Massan and the Star Watch worry about Kanus.”
“Oh! That’s what I came to tell you. Massan has been challenged to a duel by Odal!”
“What?”
“This afternoon, Odal went to the Council building. Picked an argument with Massan right in the main corridor and challenged him.”
“Massan accepted?” Leoh asked.
Hector nodded.