Aurelian contacted the Valeris council.
"Keep the transport in the inspection zone. The delegates can transfer aboard your shuttle if you're still willing to receive them."
The council chair looked worried.
"You think someone placed that device aboard their ship?"
"We don't know yet. But the case wasn't on their cargo list, and the beacon gives us a reason to take the warning seriously."
"What if the delegates knew about it?"
"Then separating them from the transport makes it harder for them to use it."
The council agreed.
Orison's representatives also agreed.
That surprised Rhoswen.
"They're either innocent or very confident."
"Both are possible."
The delegates left their transport with only the items Valeris's security had inspected.
Their ship remained outside the conference station's security area.
Aurelian watched the transfer carefully.
No one resisted.
No one tried to return for the unidentified case.
