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His expression darkened. “Someone inside Ash Camp may be working for them.”

“Yes.”

“And you want to wait.”

“I want to avoid warning them that we know.”

Dreven’s gaze sharpened.

Kesta pointed toward Horan’s scan. “If the transmitter is current, whoever installed it may still have access to the same route or equipment. If you seal every gate and question everyone tonight, they disappear—or destroy evidence.”

His tail made a slow movement behind him.

“You are proposing surveillance.”

“I am proposing patience.”

“I dislike patience.”

“I had noticed.”

Dreven looked at the scanner again. “Who knows about the production date?”

“You. Me. Tavi if he reads the scan closely. Sera probably will.”

“Keth?”

“Not yet.”

“He needs to know.”

Kesta nodded. “Agreed.”

Dreven’s eyes moved toward her.

“You aren't going to argue?”

“Try not to sound disappointed.”

His mouth curved faintly. Then his expression became serious again.

“We tell Keth and Sera. No council until we identify the supply route.”

“And Pell.”

Dreven frowned.

“Kesta?”

She met his gaze.

“There is something I learned this morning.”

She told him about H-PRIME. About Nara. About Pell hearing the designation on his own transport years earlier. Dreven listened without interrupting. The only visible reaction came when Kesta described the woman as sedated and unmarked by any sentence code. His jaw tightened, but he let her finish. When she did, his first question surprised her.

“Why isn't Pell here?”

“Because I told him he would be present when the information went any farther.”