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The Twi’lek caressed his bulged forehead and moved to the hatchway. “This isn’t about spice. But we’re expected to hear him out, so that’s what we’re going to do.”

He aimed a remote at the hatchway sensor, and the hatch pocketed itself into the bulkhead. Karrde and the others entered, his two male companions hanging back and Shada D’ukal sidestepping into a corner where she could keep a watchful eye on the proceedings.

“Welcome, Talon Karrde,” the Twi’lek said in Basic. “I’m Rol’Waran.”

Karrde nodded. “A pleasure.” He didn’t bother to introduce anyone else.

“Your chair,” Rol’Waran barked at one of the Rodians, who immediately stood and stepped aside. He waited for Karrde to make himself comfortable. “I’m told that you’re interested in procuring product.”

“Eight blocks.”

Rol’Waran’s normally narrow eyes widened. “A substantial quantity. However, since your past and recent activities are not unknown to me, would you mind explaining why you’re suddenly interested in product?”

Karrde laughed innocently. “If you’re concerned about entrapment or anything of that nature—”

“Nothing of the sort,” Rol’Waran was quick to assure. “After all, we are only subordinate players in the grand game. But I was given to understand that you had abandoned illegality for activity of a more … diplomatic nature.”

Karrde crossed his legs, resting his ankle on his knee. “The Yuuzhan Vong invasion has rendered obsolete my position as liaison between Bastion and Coruscant.”

“Meaning, he’s unemployed,” the shorter of the two men behind him said.

“Yes,” Rol’Waran said, stroking his left lekku pensively. “The Yuuzhan Vong have heaped changes on us, as well.”

“Not the way I hear it,” the same man remarked.

“Just what have you heard?” Rol’Waran asked.

The man’s upper lip curled. “That spice remains a safe bet.”

Karrde cleared his throat. “What he means is that product has always been a prized commodity, and now, what with more mouths to feed—”

“Hard times bring about a need for escape,” Karrde’s comrade cut him off. “We’re all for letting everyone bury their heads in the sand.”

Rol’Waran cut his pink eyes to Karrde. “So you’re interested in going into business.”

“Assuming that shipment can be arranged.”

Rol’Waran smiled tightly. “That would, of course, add to the price. Where did you have in mind?”

“To begin with, Tynna.”

An awkward silence fell over the compartment, while Rol’Waran and the Rodians traded covert glances. “Tynna is extremely problematic at the moment,” Rol’Waran said at last. “I could arrange shipment to Rodia, perhaps even Kalarba, but you’d have to take it from there.”

“What about Kothlis or Bothawui?” Karrde said.

Rol’Waran shook his head. “Not at present.”

Karrde loosed an annoyed exhale. “If you can ship to Rodia, can I at least get you to bring it up the run to Corellia? That’s the actual destination.”

Rol’Waran tilted his head to one side. “Again, I’m afraid we have a problem.”

“What’s the problem?” Karrde’s scar-faced accomplice asked harshly. “We were told you could move spice with impunity under the new terms.”

Rol’Waran’s tiny eyes darted. “New terms?”

He was about to say more when the hatch opened to reveal the stout laboratory technician filling the portal. Karrde’s accomplices reacted swiftly, but Karrde was just as quick to interpose himself between them and the grinning intruder.

“Crev Bombaasa,” he said in genuine surprise. “You’re a long way from home.”

“As are you, Talon.” Bombaasa looked at Shada. “And the always enchanting Shada D’ukal. As for my being far from home, even life in the Pembric system can grow boring.”

With an explicit nod, Bombaasa dismissed Rol’Waran and the Rodians, then lowered himself into a chair at the console and deactivated the room’s security systems.

“If I recall correctly,” he said to Karrde, “the last time we crossed paths was in the ThrusterBurn tapcaf in Erwithat. In search of Jorj Car’das, you and Shada required safe passage through the Kathol sector, which I provided to offset an earlier debt I owed to your