Part 2 (1/2)
”Did you know these pirates?” Mitth'raw'nuruodo asked.
”How could we possibly-?” Qennto began.
”Yes, we've had trouble with them before,” Car'das interrupted. There'd been something in Mitth'raw'nuruodo's voice as he asked that question . .
. ”I think they were gunning specifically for us.”
”You must be carrying a valuable cargo.”
”It's nothing fancy,” Qennto said, shooting a warning look at Car'das. ”A s.h.i.+pment of furs and exotic luxury garments. We're most grateful to you for coming to our aid.”
Car'das felt his throat tighten. The bulk of their cargo was indeed luxury clothing, but sewn into the filigree collar of one of the furs was an a.s.sortment of smuggled firegems. If Mitth'raw'nuruodo decided to search the s.h.i.+pment and found them, there was going to be a very unhappy Drixo the Hutt in the Bargain Hunter's future.
”You're welcome,” Mitth'raw'nuruodo said. ”I'd be curious to see what your people consider luxury garments. Perhaps you'll show me your cargo before you leave.”
”I'd be delighted,” Qennto said. ”Does that mean you're releasing us?”
”Soon,” Mitth'raw'nuruodo a.s.sured him. ”First I need to examine your vessel and confirm that you're indeed the innocent travelers you claim.”
”Of course, of course,” Qennto said easily. ”We'll give you a complete tour anytime you want.”
”Thank you,” Mitth'raw'nuruodo said. ”But that can wait until we reach my base. Until then, resting quarters have been prepared for you. Perhaps later you'll permit me to show you Chiss hospitality”
”We would be both grateful and honored, Commander,” Qennto said, inclining his head in a small bow. ”I'd just like to mention, though, that we're on a very tight schedule, which our unexpected detour has made that much tighter. We'd appreciate it if you could send us on our way as quickly as possible.”
”Of course,” Mitth'raw'nuruodo said. ”The base isn't far.”
”Is it in this system?” Qennto asked. He lifted a hand before the Chiss could answer. ”Sorry, sorry-none of my business.”
”True,” Mitth'raw'nuruodo agreed. ”However, it will do no harm to tell you that it's in a different system entirely.”
”Ah,” Qennto said. ”May I ask when we'll be leaving to go there?”
”We've already left,” Mitth'raw'nuruodo said mildly. ”We made the jump to hypers.p.a.ce approximately four standard minutes ago.”
Qennto frowned. ”Really? I didn't hear or feel anything.”
”Perhaps our hyperdrive systems are superior to yours,” Mitth'raw'nuruodo said, standing up. ”Now, if you'll follow me, I'll escort you to the resting area.”
He led the way another five meters down the corridor to another door, where he touched a striped panel on the wall. ”I'll send word when I want you again,” he said as the door slid open.
”We'll look forward to further conversation,” Qennto said, giving a truncated bow as he eased Maris behind him through the doorway. ”Thank you, Commander.”
The two of them disappeared inside. Inclining his head to the commander, Car'das followed.
The room was compactly furnished, containing a three-tier bunk bed against one wall and a fold-down table and bench seats on the other.
Beside the bunk bed were three large drawers built into the wall, while to the right was a door leading into what seemed to be a compact refresher station.
”What do you think he's going to do with us?” Maris murmured, looking around.
”He'll let us go,” Qennto a.s.sured her, glancing into the refresher station and then sitting down on the lowest cot, hunching forward to keep from b.u.mping his head on the one above it. ”The real question is whether we'll be taking the firegems with us.”
Car'das cleared his throat. ”Should we be talking about this?” he asked, looking significantly around the room.
”Relax,” Qennto growled. ”They don't speak a word of Basic.” His eyes narrowed. ”And as long as we're on the subject of speaking, why the frizz did you tell him we knew Progga?”
”There was something in his eves and voice just then,” Car'das said.
”Something that said he already knew all about it, and that we'd better not get caught lying to him.”
Qennto snorted. ”That's ridiculous.”
”Maybe there were survivors from Progga's crew,” Maris suggested.
”Not a chance,” Qennto said firmly. ”You saw what the s.h.i.+p looked like.
The thing'd been peeled open like a ration bar.”
”I don't know how he knew,” Car'das insisted. ”All I know is that he did know.”
”And you shouldn't lie to an honorable man anyway,” Maris murmured.
”Who, him? Honorable?” Qennto scoffed. ”Don't you believe it. Military men are all alike, and the smooth ones the worst of the lot.”
”I've known quite a few honorable soldiers,” Maris said stiffly.
”Besides, I've always had a good feel for people. I think this Mitth'raw-I think the commander can be trusted.” She raised her eyebrows. ”I don't think trying to con him would be a good idea, either.”
”It's only a bad idea if you get caught,” Qennto said. ”You get what you bargain for in this universe, Maris. Nothing more.”
”You don't have enough faith in people.”
”I got all the faith I need, kiddo,” Qennto said calmly. ”I just happen to know a little more about human nature than you do. Human and nonhuman nature.”
”I still think we need to play completely straight with him,” Maris said.
”Playing straight is the last thing you want to do. Ever. It gives the other guy all the advantages.” Qennto nodded toward the closed door. ”And this guy in particular sounds like the sort who'll ask questions until we die of old age if we let him.”
”Still, it wouldn't hurt if he kept us around for at least a little while,” Car'das suggested. ”Progga's people are going to be pretty mad when he doesn't come back.”
Qennto shook his head. ”They'll never pin it on us.”
”Yes, but-”
”Look, kid, let me do the thinking, okay?” Qennto cut in. Swiveling his legs up onto the bunk, he lay back with his arms folded behind his back.
”Now everyone be quiet for a while. I've got to figure out how to play this.”
Maris caught Car'das's eye, gave a little shrug, then turned and climbed up onto the bunk above Qennto. Stretching out, she folded her arms across her chest and gazed meditatively at the underside of the bunk above her.