"Tabor wants us to come aboard the Sunbeam for tonight. He's leaving for Venus in the morning and wants me to go back, but I told him that I wouldn't."
"Rather curious—that rumor about our being killed on the way here," said Firebird.
"Possibly the Black Warrior was in communication with someone just before the battle and gave word that he was closing in on us."
"Possibly—" Firebird's eyes were gazing across the room towards Tabor. "I'll go aboard the Sunbeam on one condition," she said.
"What's that?"
"Let me have your two Jewels in my possession while we are aboard. I'll return them in the morning."
Nathan looked at her, trying to fathom her motives, wondering why he trusted her, why he wanted to trust her—
"Why?"
"The Jewels are syncro-responsive," said Firebird. "When several of them are together they indicate the near presence of another one by becoming warm. The more there are together, the warmer they become. When the nearby Jewel is very close the effect disappears."
"I don't see—"