"And they wound up neatly jailed by the Ancients," I said. "The Ancients had made sure to select a man—me—that could be coerced by threats to those poor kids."
"You mean if you don't do what they want...?" Snow said, but couldn't complete the sentence.
"The kids pay," I finished for her. "So, tell me, lady, what's my move?"
"I don't know," she said, kind of startled, as if just beginning to realize the desperation of our situation. "I'm not sure who's right or wrong in this, Jery."
"Neither am I!" I said bitterly. "Baxter's a stinker, but he does represent Earth, of which I'm currently in favor. The rebels may be violent, but they have a few points in their favor, too. And the Ancients—"
Snow looked at me, expectantly. "The Ancients?"
"Them I hate," I said suddenly. "I don't like their slip-and-slide loyalties, Snow. They were the friends of the rebels, sure—until they thought of a better plan. Then the rebels were calmly forgotten. Or vaporized, when necessary. Right now, they're on my side, what with ordering my escape, and protecting me from Baxter. But it's only for so long as I serve their ends. Then it's good-by, Jery Delvin!"
"Then—" Snow arose, a slim hand going to her throat "—we don't know for sure if the boys are alive!"
I shook my head, solemnly. "We don't know it at all."