Star Wars_ The New Jedi Order 04_ Agents of Chaos 01_ Hero's Trial - James Luceno [72]
“Got it,” Wotson said as he and his partner headed for an unoccupied table in the center of the room.
Reck hitched up baggy trousers, crossed the room, and folded himself into booth six. Booth five was also empty, but in seven sat a lone telbun whose facial veil covered all but his eyes. Reck settled back against the padded seat to wait for his mystery contact to turn up. He was about to hail a waiter when the telbun sitting back-to-back with him spoke up.
“Don’t turn around, Reck,” the Kuati ordered in the neutered tone typical of a high-priced voice scrambler.
Reck barely managed to sit still. In his mind’s eye he replayed his brief look at the telbun, and he reassessed the conclusions he’d naturally drawn. The rich robes and tall hat could conceal a being of any of a wide variety of species, and the voice scrambler made it impossible to know if the speaker was male or female.
“You the genuine article, or are you just on your way to a masquerade?” he asked after a moment.
The stranger ignored the sarcasm. “Signal your associates that everything is in order, Reck.”
Reck leaned his head back, almost touching the telbun’s. “What’s to stop me from calling them over here and ripping that veil off your face?”
“Not a thing. But you’d be a fool to think I’d come here without backup.”
Reck’s hazel eyes leapt about, searching for likely candidates. Bluff or no bluff, there was little harm in hearing the telbun out. He turned partway in the booth and waved an okay to Ven and Wotson.
“Nicely done,” the telbun said. “As I mentioned when we spoke by comlink, I have some information for you.”
“Good for you,” Reck said. “But first I want to know how you knew where to reach me.”
“The simple explanation is that the activities and current whereabouts of the Peace Brigade are known to more people than you might imagine.”
Reck blew his breath out sharply and gave his head a mournful shake. “That either means we’re working for the same people or you have access to sensitive data. And since I doubt we’re on the same team, you’re either military security or New Republic Intelligence.”
“You don’t need to know that just now.”
“Maybe yes, maybe no, but I came all the way from Nar Shaddaa for this meeting.”
“And I’m sure you’re already homesick for the Hutts.”
“All I’m saying is that you’d better have something worthwhile.”
The telbun took a moment to respond. “You run with the Peace Brigade, but you answer to Yuuzhan Vong operatives.”
Reck took a moment, as well. “You already know that or you wouldn’t have asked me to come here.”
“Correct response. I’m something of a stickler for honesty.”
“Get to the point,” Reck hissed. “What information do you have?”
“I know a way to put you in good stead with your bosses.”
“Yeah, so you said when you made contact. But what makes you think I’m not in good standing?”
“You showed up here. I wasn’t sure where you stood when I comlinked you, but I know now. You’re ambitious and you’re intrigued.”
Reck snorted again. “I’ll let you know when I hear the rest of what you have to say.”
“The New Republic has a Yuuzhan Vong defector in custody. She’s an elite—a priestess of some sort. She jettisoned from an enemy ship destroyed in the Meridian sector. The Yuuzhan Vong have already made an attempt at retrieving her, and after what just happened at Ord Mantell I suspect they’ll double their efforts.”
Reck’s brows knitted. “What happened at Ord Mantell?”
“Based on intelligence provided by the defector, a New Republic task force thwarted a Yuuzhan Vong attack.”
Reck loosed a surprised whistle. “So this priestess is now a hot property.”
“She’s traveling with a mascot. The two are being transferred from the Mid Rim to Coruscant for safekeeping. I know the route they’re taking.”
Reck checked an impulse to turn around. “I’m not sure I follow you.”
“Think about it. Whoever returns the defector to the fold will be doing the Yuuzhan Vong a tremendous favor.”
“Now