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The hint of a frown threw a twitch through her brows, then she shook her head. “No, no, I just thought it rather ironic that a man as dangerous as yourself should be content with piloting so docile and meek a ship.”

“Meek?”

“I would have seen you flying an Interceptor, certainly, or a gunship, not a Lambda-class shuttle.”

Vorru nodded. “Ah. I’m afraid, though, this is anything but a normal shuttle. I have made a number of modifications that make this ship far more lethal than it appears to be.”

“I see. I should have expected such clever deception from someone as intelligent as you.”

“You refer to me as clever and intelligent.” He shook his head. “I fear you’ve found my weakness, Erisi. Flattery will win you much.”

“How much to make you willing to act as a shield for me during another tantrum thrown by ‘She Who Cannot Be Defied’?”

Vorru smiled up at her, then offered her his arm. “Even you, most beautiful Erisi, could not flatter me that much. You were summoned, too?”

“Yes.” Erisi’s voice sank into a harsh growl. “The convoy that the Avarice had been escorting appeared back insystem, though three tankers were missing.”

Vorru nodded as they walked through the tall gray corridors. Isard’s vehement demand that he return to the capitol immediately had not been accompanied by any explanation, but more interference by Rogue Squadron seemed to be the only thing that could make Isard so angry. “What was Captain Yonka’s explanation of their loss?”

“I don’t believe he offered any.” Erisi shook her head. “As nearly as I can determine, the Avarice did not return with the convoy.”

Vorru shivered, and the hair at the back of his neck began to rise. “Could Antilles have gotten the Avarice? He does have the Alderaanian War Cruiser.”

“I don’t believe he could have, even with the War Cruiser. There have been no reports I know of that indicate any battle took place out there. You, Minister, would have better sources in that regard than I.”

“Call me Fliry, Erisi. Compatriots in Iceheart’s rage should not use titles between them.” Vorru punched a turbo-lift button and stepped into the box when the doors opened. “As nearly as I know, all things have gone perfectly with the Avarice. Captain Yonka made his rounds, visited his mistress on Elshandruu Pica—he’s seeing the Moff’s wife, though the Moff believes he’s bedding the owner of a local resort. The Avarice left orbit on schedule and continued the circuit as it was supposed to.”

“Clearly something went wrong, Fliry.” Erisi gave his arm a little squeeze as the turbolift stopped its ascent. “Now we just have to determine who will catch the blame.”

Vorru reached out and punched the emergency stop button on the lift before the doors could open. “I have the turbo-lifts regularly swept, so I know we are safe for the moment. I ask you this, realizing I now place us at more risk than ever before. Do you feel, as I do, that Madam Director Isard is not viewing the same reality we are?”

Erisi’s eyes narrowed. “Do I think she is insane?”

“Yes.”

“Quite.” Erisi twisted around and faced him fully. “Antilles consumes her. If he is not dealt with shortly, she could destroy Thyferra. This is not to say I doubt her ability to eliminate Antilles—she is most dangerous in that regard.”

“But you would be in favor of having contingency plans that guarantee the survival of the Bacta Cartel no matter what happens to her.”

“Exactly. You’ve read my mind.”

“Only because our thoughts run in parallel.” Vorru again hit the emergency button and the door slid open. “Let us bravely face out fate and deal with the future it presents us.”

As they neared Isard’s doorway, Vorru held a hand up, stopping Erisi. He preceded her into the room and bowed politely in Isard’s direction. “I came as quickly as I was able, Madam Director.” He half-expected her to jump all over him, but as she turned, she just nodded.

Isard brandished a holoprojector remote control, then let a thin grin tug at the corners of her flatline mouth. “Good, Commander Dlarit is here, too. I only need do this once.