Vision of the future

seen, my friend,' he warned darkly. 'And if you're another New Republic or Kathol sector emissary seeking to annex my territory, you may find your departure considerably delayed.'

'I have no ties to any governmental group,' Karrde assured him. 'I'm merely a private citizen here to ask a favor.'

'Indeed,' Bombaasa said, toying idly with the subtly glittering throat pendant around his neck. 'I have the distinct impression you don't realize what my favors cost.'

'I believe you'll find this one has already been paid for,' Karrde countered. 'And it is only a small favor, after all. We have an errand to run inside your cartel's territory, and we'd like safe passage through your various pirate and hijacking gangs until we've completed it.' Bombaasa's eyes widened politely. 'Is that all,' he said. 'Come, come, my dear sir. A large, tempting target like your freighter, and you want safe passage?' He shook his head sadly. 'No, you don't understand my fee scale at all.'

Shada felt her muscles tensing, consciously relaxed them. All three bodyguards were armed and competent-looking; but if nudge came to punch, she doubted any of them had ever faced a Mistryl before.

Unfortunately, unlike the case with the swoopers, she wouldn't have the luxury of leaving them damaged but alive. She would have to take out the one behind them first...

'My mistake,' Karrde said, his tone almost offhanded. 'I assumed that when someone had saved your life you would be more grateful.'

Bombaasa had been in the process of lifting a finger toward the bodyguards standing beside him. Now, at Karrde's words, he froze, the finger poised in midair. 'What are you talking about?' he demanded cautiously.

'I'm talking about a situation that occurred here a little over six years ago,' Karrde said. 'One in which a rather dapper gentleman and a young lady with red-gold hair foiled an assassination plot against you.'

For a pair of heartbeats Bombaasa continued to stare at Karrde. Shada threw a surreptitious glance at the two bodyguards, mentally plotting out her attack plan—

And with a suddenness that startled her, Bombaasa burst out laughing.

The other gamblers in the casino paused in their activities, turning to gape momentarily at what was apparently an uncommon sound in their quietly desperate little world. Bombaasa, still laughing, gave a hand signal, and the bodyguards visibly relaxed. 'Ah, my friend,' he said, still chuckling. 'My friend, indeed. So you're the mysterious chieftain the young lady spoke of when she refused to accept any payment.'

'I'm the one,' Karrde said, nodding. 'I believe she also suggested that a man of your obvious breeding wouldn't mind carrying the debt until it could be properly repaid.'

'She did indeed.' Bombaasa waved a thin hand at Shada. 'And now you bring this one. I would never have expected there to even exist two such beautiful yet deadly ladies, let alone loyal to the same man.'

He cocked an eye toward Shada. 'Or are you committed to this man, my dear?' he added. 'If you would be interested in discussing a change of career, I could make it well worth your while.'

'I'm not committed to anyone,' Shada said, the words hurting her throat as she said them. 'But for the moment, I'm traveling with him.'

'Ah.' Bombaasa peered closely at her, as if trying to gauge her sincerity, then shrugged. 'If you should change your mind, you have merely to come see me,' he said. 'My door will always be open to you.'

He returned his attention to Karrde. 'You are right: I do indeed owe you,' he said. 'Before you leave, I'll provide you with a special ID overlay for your ship that will identify you as being under my protection.'

His lips compressed. 'However, though it will certainly protect you from members of my cartel, it may at the same time create extra danger for you. Over the past year a vicious new pirate gang has relocated to this area, one which we have so far been unable to either eliminate or bring under our control. I suspect they would consider a freighter under my protection to be a particularly intriguing challenge.'

Karrde shrugged. 'As you pointed out earlier, we would be a tempting target regardless of that. We are, of course, not nearly as vulnerable as we appear.'

'I have no doubt of that,' Bombaasa said. 'However, the enemy is quite well equipped, with a sizable fleet of SoroSuub Corsair-class assault starfighters as well as a number of larger ships. If you can spare the time, perhaps you would allow my people to do some quick upgrades of your weaponry or shields.'

'I appreciate your offer,' Karrde said, 'and if circumstances were otherwise I would be all too happy to accept. But I'm afraid our errand is a pressing one, and we simply can't afford to take the time.'

'Ah,' Bombaasa said. 'Very well, then. Leave when you must—the ID overlay will be ready when you are.' He smiled slyly. 'And of course, for you there will be no exit visa required.'