While the male Owls lost to the Eagles 1-2, Meiya communicated with his most valuable agent who had survived the journey to Earth. He had not gotten many opportunities to do this, and suspected it might become more difficult rather than less.
"What are the Terrans planning?" They preferred this term for the natives, not because they wanted to show more respect but because it was less grating on the tongue.
"The Terrans have no overall plan. the United States is the most powerful country but cannot or will not enforce its will on the others. The President is the most powerful among the United Staters, but she does not have power to do many things without negotiating with others who hold lesser positions. Moreover she is a temporary leader. The United Staters have a law that forbids any one of them from holding their highest position too long."
"Have you met this woman?"
"I have been in her presence, but not alone. With Kakyuu, or once iwith Lord Taiki."
"Can she hold on to power long enough to be worth negotiating with?"
"She will face a challenge in two more of her years. If she fails, she steps down. If she succeeds, she keeps her powers for four more of their years. But after that, she must step aside and may never hold the office again."
"How long are their years, anyway?"
"They are about half again as long as those of Hrrrunohon. Forgive me, my Lord Meiya, but I think you are wasting precious time asking about Terran politics. I knew almost nothing about our own politics."
"You will have to do until I can find reliable sources among the Terrans."
"But you have an entire--"
"Their ship did not survive the passage. You had family among them?"
"Yes, my Lord."
"My condolances. Have you seen their so-called Queen Usagi?"
"Only once. She seemed just as the Terrans--the United Staters--show her, an ordinary woman."
"First impressions can deceive. My consort is not a complete fool. She came here because that woman lives here, I am sure of that. Did you use your instruments to test her?"
"No, my Lord. It was not possible to bring them."
"Try to find a way. Kakyuu knows that Hrrrunuhon will not let her rest here to grow strong for the next war if she can be found. She cannot expect the locals to defend her people with the technology we have seen. But she expects that she will be safe here, and hopes to return to defeat us. That woman must be at least part of the reason. For all we know, she could be an even worse witch."
The agent took a long time to reply. "There is so much to learn. May I suggest a possible ally of convenience, my Lord?"
"Proceed."
"There is a religious mountebank with considerable wealth and influence who has been troubling this Queen Usagi. Both Kakyuu and Taiki have spoken of him, and I have seen him in their electronic publications. Apparently he sent one of his own children to spy on Queen Usagi. So we know he opposes her, that he may have discovered secrets about her, and that he is accustomed to secret dealings."
"This man might be useful. Send one of our more expendable agents to contact him."
"My Lord, with so few of us now, who is expendable? But I should contact this man. I can pass among the Terrans for long enough to do it. No one else could approach him and not be discovered."
Meiya knew she was right. "Then we should wait until we have another agent who can do this mission."
"If we wait until we are safe, perhaps Hrrrunuhon will be lost. If Queen Usagi is as you fear, she will destroy this man when she finds a proper time. He will do us no good then. I ask for permission to contact him myself."
Meiya hesitated, and then granted her request. <Another name for the Hall of Heros, if any live to tell . . . >