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“We have our reasons.”

“And you are telling me this… why?”

“You are our agent; it seemed only fair to warn you. The theft will cause investigation—best you are not caught unprepared.”

Lens smiled. “My official persona here is quite blaster-proof. What’s the real reason?”

The human disguise was quite good—the smile it produced looked genuine. “Eventually, as all wars must, this one will end. Business will continue. You have been a valuable asset to us and could be one again after this conflict is resolved. We hate to waste talent.”

That made more sense, but it wasn’t all of it, Lens figured. “Still not quite right, is it?”

The disguise’s vox unit gave a realistic offering of a human laugh. “It is so refreshing to not have to deal with the dull and ignorant,” Kaird said. He leaned forward. “Very well: in your official capacity here, you have access to certain data.”

“True—but security codes for vacuum-worthy ships, especially those with hyperdrive units, are not among such data,” Lens said.

“I didn’t think they were. But you can get medical records.”

“Anybody in the Rimsoo with standard clearance can view those files. I fail to see how that will help you steal a ship.”

“Ever see a child’s tumble-slabs? You can set them up in long and convoluted rows and whorls, the one at the end being a hundred or a thousand away from the one at the beginning. If you line them up right, however, tipping the first one over will eventually result in the last one falling.”

Lens nodded again. “Yes. I see what you mean.”

“I am going to do some very basic research,” Kaird said, “and after I have learned some things, I will ask you for specific files that I believe will be useful. Nothing that should be secured above your ability to scan.”

“Not a problem,” Lens said. “I will obtain what you need.”

“Excellent.” There was a pause. “Now I’m going to do you a favor, Lens. I realize you have other loyalties besides those to Black Sun, but those interests—and ours— here are about to cease to matter.”

Lens frowned. “How so?”

“The reason we are all here is singular. That reason is already dwindling in importance, and, in a short time, will stop completely.”

“I’m afraid you’ve lost me. You’re talking about the bota?”

“Yes. The plant, it seems, is undergoing a new mutation, one that will radically alter its prized adaptogenic properties. By its next generation, bota will be no more valuable than any other weed growing on this hot rock— it will be chemically changed so far as to be useless as a drug. Since Drongar itself is of no use, strategic or otherwise, both the Republic and the Separatist forces will have no reason to remain here.” The hands spread themselves, palms-up, in a gesture of freedom. “We can all go home.”

“How do you know this?”

“That doesn’t matter. I know it for a fact. I tell you this because, after I’m gone, you might be able to use the data to help your friends under Count Dooku’s command. It might be worth a final, all-out battle to secure what’s left of the bota fields—since once those are gone, there won’t be any more to be had. Not around here, at least.”

Lens, startled by this revelation, said nothing. There would be no reason for Kaird to lie about this. The theft of a goodly amount of bota would, at least indirectly, harm the Republic, and so Lens wished him success as far as that went. But if what he said was true, it would definitely be in the Separatists’ interest to grab up as much of the crop as they could, even at the risk of destroying the rest of it. Better half a loaf than none.

Somehow, this information had to be verified.

“This is valuable knowledge,” Lens said. “And yet you offer it freely.”

The jowled head nodded ponderously. “As I said, the war will eventually be settled. Win or lose, it’s all the same to us. If we do you a favor, someday you might be in a position to do one for us. Black Sun has a long memory, for enemies and for friends. We have plenty of both, but it never hurts to have more friends.”

Lens nodded and smiled. The Nediji’s statement made sense,