'We have every intention of leaving his territory,' Karrde assured him. 'After my errand is finished, of course.'
'Do as you wish,' Jutka said, grunting as he heaved his bulk out of his chair. 'But I've given you fair warning. Don't forget that.'
'I won't,' Karrde said. 'Thank you for your time.'
Jutka scowled once and marched across the tapcafe. Pushing open the door, he strode out without a backward glance.
'And this is where Car'das picked to retire to, huh?' Shada said, sitting down in the chair Jutka had just vacated. 'Lovely.'
'Keep your voice down,' Karrde admonished, looking around the tapcafe. No one seemed to be taking any particular interest in this corner of the room, but appearances meant nothing. 'And I doubt retirement was ever in his plans.'
Shada sent him a probing look. 'You think Rei'Kas is working for him?' Karrde nodded soberly. 'I would say that's entirely possible.' He caught her eye movement and looked up as Entoo Nee pulled up a chair to their table and sat down. 'Did you have a nice chat with the general?' he asked brightly. 'That's good. That's very good.'
He hunched himself closer to the table. 'I've been talking with your droid,' he said, dropping his voice conspiratorially. 'He says you're looking for the fabled lost world of Exocron.' Karrde looked at Threepio. 'Threepio?'
'I'm sorry, sir,' the droid said, sounding miserable. 'I didn't mean to give anything away. He asked if we were searching for Exocron, and I confirmed it without thinking.'
'Please don't blame the droid,' Entoo Nee said. 'Your goal isn't a secret. At least, not to me. You're looking for Jorj Car'das, aren't you?'
Shada shot Karrde a look across the table. 'Threepio, why don't you go over to the bar and get us a couple glasses of the local brew,' she suggested. 'On your way, listen and see if you hear anyone talking in Rodian.'
'Yes, Mistress Shada,' the droid said, sounding relieved at the chance to get away. 'Right away.' He shuffled off. 'Very clever,' Entoo Nee said, grinning at Shada. 'You think any spotters Rei'Kas may have planted in the crowd will talk Rodian to each other, eh? Very clever, indeed.'
'Thank you,' Shada said, fixing him with a look that was just short of a glare. 'You were telling us about Jorj Car'das.'
'Yes.' Entoo Nee shuffled himself even closer to the table. 'You're right to look for him on Exocron. That's where he is.' He lifted a finger warningly. 'But Exocron isn't easy to find. Most people in the Kathol Republic have never even heard of it. Most of those who have believe it to be a myth.'
'So I've heard,' Karrde said, fighting against a sudden sense of dread. How could Entoo Nee know why he was here? Unless, of course, he was working for Car'das? 'Tell me why it's so hard to find.'
Entoo Nee smiled even more broadly. 'You don't need me to tell you that. Ah, but perhaps your friend doesn't know,' he added, shifting his grin to Shada. 'It's all the mini-nebulae and gas offshoots, you see, coming off the Kathol Rift. All of that reflected light and radiation scrambles sensors and communications—makes it terribly difficult to find anything at all. Searching the whole region could take you decades.'
'And you can save us all that trouble, I suppose?' Shada asked.
'I can indeed,' he said. 'I can take you to Exocron. Right to Car'das himself, if you like.' He looked back at Karrde. 'But only if Captain Karrde wishes.' With a strong effort, Karrde kept his expression steady. So the little man knew his name, too.
'And what would this guidance cost us?'
'No cost,' Entoo Nee said. 'But no 'us,' either. It would just be you and me.'
'Excuse me?' Shada said, lifting a finger. 'Just you and him? What about the rest of us?'
'You'd have to wait for us here,' Entoo Nee told her. 'No other way, I'm afraid—my ship can only carry two people.'
'How about if you ride with us and guide our ship in?' Karrde asked.
'Oh, no,' Entoo Nee said, looking shocked. 'I couldn't possibly do that.'
'Why not?' Shada demanded. 'Because Car'das doesn't want to see all of us?' Entoo Nee blinked. 'Did I ever say
