Explaining things was impossible. It didn’t matter. From the sympathetic looks I got, it already appeared to be public knowledge. I asked Squilyp to assist the nurses until I got back. He was polite and pretended to believe my invented excuse.I went to my quarters. Signaled the Captain. Made a few final preparations.This time I caught a functioning gyrlift and returned to level twenty-seven. The two guards were conspicuously absent. Instructions had been left on the outer display on how to let myself into the detainment area.Xonea was still standing in the same place I’d left him. His eyes, widened as he saw me walk in. I guessed he had counted on me not coming back. He was in for a few more surprises.“Cherijo.”“Xonea.” I pressed a few keys on the display panel, which deactivated the barrier-locking mechanism. “Are you ready to do this?”He smiled as I entered the cell and secured the barrier once more. “You speak as though preparing to perform a medical procedure.”“Surgery is a lot more fun.”“Perhaps.”
