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She shook her head at him. “You still don’t trust me, do you?”

“Nothing personal,” he said. “Just following procedure.”

“I’ll bet you say that to all your defectors,” Vergere offered from one of the other beds, atop which she roosted like an outsize avian.

Showolter set their luggage in a corner and made certain that the door to the adjoining suite was locked. He was about to make himself comfortable when someone knocked at the entry door.

Drawing his blaster from his shoulder holster, he positioned himself alongside the lock jamb. “What is it?”

“Cabin service,” a resonant voice said in Corellian-accented Basic.

“We didn’t request anything.”

“Compliments of Captain Scaur,” the man in the passageway replied. “He also invites you to be his guests at his table this evening.”

“That can be arranged.”

“I’ll tell him you said so.”

Showolter lowered his weapon and hit the hatch release. A tall, dark-haired, and dangerous-looking human entered, followed by a Rodian.

“I’m Darda,” the man announced. “This is Capo.”

Green, coarse-complected, and a bit hard on the human nose, Capo had a lithe grace and an easygoing air. Catching sight of Elan and Vergere, he drew his partner’s attention to them.

“Where’d you come aboard?” Showolter asked.

Darda pivoted away from Elan to face him. “Right here at Vortex. We were ahead of you in the boarding line.”

Showolter grinned. “Yeah, I noticed you. Is it just you two?”

“Three more are already on board,” Darda supplied. “Mingling with the refugees in steerage. They’ll probably show themselves at dinner.”

Showolter nodded. “Where’s your cabin?”

Darda nodded his square chin at the passage door to the adjoining suite. “Right next to you.”

“Convenient,” Showolter remarked. “Someone at HQ actually did their homework.” He glanced at Capo. “Where do you work out of, Capo?”

“Bilbringi,” the Rodian said, pressing suction-cupped fingertips together.

Showolter’s eyes returned to Darda. “You?”

“Lately out of Gamorr, but they’re pulling me back to Coruscant after this op.”

Showolter looked surprised. “Is that right? Who’s your new boss?”

Darda had his mouth open to respond when another knock sounded at the door.

Showolter gestured for silence and raised his blaster once more. “What is it?”

“Cabin service,” a human voice replied.

The three NRI operatives exchanged disconcerted glances. Showolter gestured Darda and Capo into the adjoining suite and motioned for Elan and Vergere to remain still. When the passage door closed behind Capo, Showolter moved to the entrance.

“We didn’t request anything.”

“Compliments of Captain Scaur. He also invites you to be his guests at his table this evening.”

“That can be arranged.”

“I’ll tell him you said so.”

With an economy of movement, Showolter slid his blaster under a pillow on the couch, arranged two chairs so that their backs were turned to the passage door, and opened the entry door. A muscular human male and a handsome Bothan female entered, introducing themselves as Jode Tee and Saiga Bre’lya.

Shrewdly, Showolter maneuvered them into the chairs and asked where they’d come aboard.

“We’ve been aboard since Ord Mantell,” the Bothan said after she’d had a pure eyeful of Elan and Vergere.

“Is it just the two of you?”

“Two others were supposed to have come aboard at Anobis, but they haven’t made contact yet.”

“Where’s your cabin?” Showolter asked Jode Tee.

“Ten doors down the passageway, starboard side.”

“Convenient.” Showolter sat on the couch, facing them, his hand closing slowly on the concealed blaster. “Where are you based?”

“Bilbringi,” Jode Tee said.

“What about you, Saiga?”

“Ord Mantell.”

The passage door began to open, revealing Darda with a blaster raised to his chin in a two-handed grip. Showolter made brief eye contact and laughed to cover any sounds the door might make in opening wide.

“So was that serious about dinner at the captain’s table?” he asked.

“I wish,” Saiga said, smiling.

Showolter brought the blaster out with cool efficiency and fired. The bolt flashed between Jode Tee and the Bothan, hitting Darda