Vision of the future

'Yes?'

'There's a transmission coming in for you, Your Excellency, under a private encryption designated Usk-51.'

Disra felt his stomach try to cramp. Of all the stupid, brainless— 'Thank you,' he said as calmly as he could manage. 'Have it transferred to Conference Room 68, and make sure it's not monitored.'

'Yes, Your Excellency.'

Tierce was frowning at him. 'That's not—?'

'It certainly is,' Disra bit out. The turbolift doors opened—'Come on. And stay out of sight.' Two minutes later they were in the conference room with the door privacy-sealed behind them. Activating the comm display set into the center of the table, Disra pulled the proper encryption datacard from his collection and slid it into the slot. He keyed for reception—

'It's about time,' Captain Zothip spat, his eyes flashing, his bushy blond beard bristling with anger.

'Don't you think I've got better things to do than—?'

'What!' Disra barked. Zothip's head jerked back, his own tirade breaking off midway in sudden confusion. 'Do... you... think... you're... doing?' Disra continued into the silence, biting out each word like the crack of a rotten snapstick. 'How dare you take such an insane risk?'

'Never mind your precious image,' Zothip growled, some of his insolence starting to come back.

'If consorting with pirates is suddenly an embarrassment for you—'

'Embarrassment is not the issue here,' Disra said icily. 'I'm thinking about our two necks, and whether we get to keep them. Or hadn't you noticed how many relays there are in this transmission?'

'No kidding,' Zothip said with a sniff. 'And here I thought it was just your wonderful Imperial comm equipment kicking ions again. So where are you, out at your vacation home counting your money?'

'Hardly,' Disra said. 'I'm aboard an Imperial Star Destroyer.' Zothip's face seemed to darken. 'If that's supposed to impress me, you'd better try again. I've about had my fill of your precious Star Destroyers.'

'Really.' Disra smiled coldly. 'Let me guess. You got overconfident, went in blazing, and Admiral Pellaeon clipped your tail feathers for you.'

'Don't mock me, Disra,' Zothip warned. 'Don't ever mock me. I lost a Kaloth battlecruiser and eight hundred good men to that Vader-ripped katchni. And the payment's going to come out of somebody's hide. Pellaeon's, or yours.'

'Don't be absurd,' Disra said scornfully. 'And don't try to blame it on me. I warned you not to actually engage the Chimaera. All you were supposed to do was make him think Bel Iblis was attacking.'

'And how did you expect I was supposed to do that?' Zothip shot back. 'Insult his family?

Transmit lists of ancient Corellian curses?'

'You pushed an Imperial too hard and he pushed back,' Disra said. 'Consider it a useful lesson painfully learned. And hope you don't need to learn it again.'

Zothip glared. 'Is that a threat?' he demanded.

'It's a warning,' Disra snapped. 'Our partnership's been extremely profitable for both of us. I've had the chance to play havoc with New Republic shipping; you've had the chance to collect the merchandise from those ships.'

'And have taken all the risks,' Zothip put in.

Disra shrugged. 'Regardless, I'd hate to see such a valuable relationship dissolve over something this trivial.'

'Trust me, Disra,' Zothip said softly. 'When our relationship dissolves you'll find a lot more than that for you to hate.'

'I'll start making a list,' Disra said. 'Now go lace your wounds; and next time you want to talk to me go through proper channels. This encrypt's one of the best ever created, but nothing's totally slice-proof.'

'The encrypt's that good, huh?' Zothip said sardonically. 'I'll have to remember that. Should bring a good price on the open market if I ever need quick money. I'll be in touch.' He waved a hand offscreen, and the display blanked.