Vision of the future

'You are most generous, my lord,' Karrde said, bowing slightly at the waist. 'Thank you; and the debt is now paid.' Taking Shada's arm, he turned to go—

'One other thing, my friend,' Bombaasa called them back. 'Neither of your associates gave me their names when they were here, nor would they tell me yours. I would appreciate it if you would satisfy my curiosity.'

Beside her, Shada sensed Karrde brace himself. 'Of course, Lord Bombaasa. My name is Talon Karrde.'

The pudgy figure seemed to sit up a little straighter. 'Talon Karrde,' he breathed. 'Indeed. Some of my, ah, business associates have spoken of you. Often at great length.'

'I'm sure they have,' Karrde said. 'Particularly those Hutt agencies with whom your cartel has ties.'

For a moment Bombaasa's eyes narrowed. Then his expression cleared and he smiled again. 'The Hutts are right: you indeed know far more than is healthy for you. Still, as long as you don't seek to extend your organization into my territory, what have I to fear?'

'Nothing at all, my lord,' Karrde agreed. 'Thank you for your hospitality. Perhaps we shall meet again someday.'

'Yes,' Bombaasa said softly. 'There is always that chance.'

* * *

The Legionnaire lieutenant, Maxiti, offered to get them a ride back to their landing pad. But Karrde declined. It was only a short walk, after all, and after a taste of the Pembric climate the somewhat austere conditions aboard the Wild Karrde would seem that much more pleasant. Besides, after the tone of that last exchange with Bombaasa, it wouldn't do to look as if they were hurrying to get away from him.

'Who's Rastus Khal?' Shada asked.

With an effort, Karrde brought his mind back from dark visions of vengeful crimelords having second thoughts. 'Who?'

'Rastus Khal,' Shada repeated. 'Bombaasa dropped the name right after we were shown in.'

'He was a fictional character from some masterpiece of Corellian literature,' Karrde said. 'I forget which one. Bombaasa is quite literate, or so I've heard. Apparently, he likes to consider himself a cultured sort of cutthroat.'

Shada snorted. 'Cultured. But he deals with Hutts.'

Karrde shrugged. 'I agree. One reason the Hutts and I don't get along, I suppose.' For a minute they walked in silence. 'You knew he was connected with the Hutt syndicates,' Shada said. 'Yet you told him who you were. Why?'

'I'm not expecting Bombaasa to renege on his deal with us, if that's what you're worried about,' Karrde said. 'Cultured beings always repay their debts, and Mara and Lando did indeed save his life.'

'The question wasn't so much about Bombaasa as it was about you,' Shada countered. 'He didn't need to know who you were, and I've seen your expertise at dodging questions you don't want to answer. So why did you tell him?'

'Because I'm guessing word of this encounter will get back to Jorj Car'das,' Karrde said quietly.

'This way, he'll know it's me who's coming to see him.'

He sensed Shada frown. 'Excuse me? I thought the idea was for us to sneak up quietly on him.'

'The idea is to see if he has a copy of the Caamas Document,' Karrde corrected her. 'If we appear suddenly, without any warning, he's liable to simply kill all of us before we have a chance to talk to him.'

'And if he does know we're coming?' Shada retorted. 'Sounds to me like all it does is give him more preparation time.'

'Exactly,' Karrde said soberly. 'And if he feels ready for us, he may be more inclined to listen before he shoots.'

'You seem convinced he'll shoot.'

Karrde hesitated. Should he tell her, he wondered, exactly why he'd allowed her to come on this trip?