‘But I’m guessing you’re here to ask me more about the Terashovas.’

‘Wrong company. I need to know about Jazc. Are they still looking after you well?’

Glovach shrugged. ‘I can’t complain. But now the rain’s come I don’t get out to the coast so much. They have a lovely place up by the cliffs at Stroya. You should get them to send you there sometime – I can put a word in.’

Zidarov smiled dryly. ‘Somehow I doubt I’d be welcome. Listen, give me an honest answer on this. I think I know it anyway, but I want to check – if I found out Avro Lascile was involved in something very, very illegal, and I needed muscle to get it shut down, would Vongella ever go for it?’

‘No chance. I took a look at the Bastion accounts last cycle – we’re basically insolvent without them.’

‘But if it was a sideline, something bad for the public image. I’m wondering if they could overlook a few raids, on a peripheral operation, if we somehow kept it quiet.’

Glovach smiled sadly. ‘If it were me, maybe. If it were you, certainly. But that’s the difference between them and us, my friend. Avro Lascile once put a contract out on a man who accidentally injured a cousin in a groundcar collision. He got him killed. Over nothing. It’s detail – they’re obsessed with it. So, I’m serious – whatever you’ve uncovered, it’s not worth the trouble.’

Zidarov nodded. ‘Much as I thought. While I’m here, though, you might as well look at this.’ He brought out a dataslate and showed him the pict images of the off-worlder from the warehouse. ‘This man links a couple of things I’m working on. I’m sure he works for Lascile, and I’ve seen him before at Bastion ceremonies, but I can’t place the face, and there’s nothing on file.’

Glovach took a quick look. ‘There wouldn’t be. That’s Vermida. Airon Vermida. He’s been involved in the organisation for a few years now, but he doesn’t have much in the way of records. You’ll have already guessed he’s from off-world. Some say he’s even Terran, but I think they’re just guessing about that.’

‘What can you tell me about him?’

‘He’s efficient. Loyal. Lascile uses him for a whole range of things, mostly above-board. My guess is they came into contact during the troubles with the void-lanes. Remember all that? It’s useful to know people with experience of dealing with the Chartist Captains if you want to get anything off Alecto these days. Vermida gives him that.’

‘What about weapons?’