“Primus tech,” I say. I’m not sure where I’m going with this, or how the hell I’m gonna sell something that I don’t understand, but I need to start talking before she catches on that I’m nervous. “There’s a reason people fear it. It doesn’t behave like our technology does. It lives, breathes… changes.” I run a thumb over the container, and the liquid inside ripples in response. “It goes above and beyond anything our technology is capable of. It’s—”

“So what is it?” Ives asks, cutting me off. She taps the fingers of one hand on the desk, her eyes on me rather than on the product I’m trying to sell.

“It’s a weapon,” I say, trying to sound confident despite her obvious and well-earned dubiousness. “A biological weapon beyond what humankind has—”

“You’ve already made that clear,” Ives says. “But what does it do?”

Shit. This is the part where I have to lie like I’ve never lied before. For all my efforts to investigate, and everything I gleaned from Momma, I haven’t the slightest idea how to use it, and I can’t exactly offer a demonstration. Plus, if I give details, Ives will know I’m a liar as soon as she uses it. If I do this right, on the other hand, she could be a lasting business contact, one not linked to my mother in any way. I’m going to need that if I intend to take over the family business.

I take a deep breath, lick my lips, and lower the vial. Even if I was willing to take my profits and never come back to Titan again after this deal, I don’t think I can bluff my way through a step-by-step explanation of an alien weapon I have no understanding of. But maybe I don’t need to.

“If you wanted to sell bullshit, you should have gone to Ives,” Altair had said.

“How about I skip the gory details and get right to the point?” I ask. “I’m selling you a weapon that kills people, quickly, and does no structural damage.” I set the vial down on the table between us. Ives’s eyes follow it, and flicker up to meet mine again rather than remaining there. “And more importantly… I’m selling you an end to the war.”

Momma’s words make a good closing line, but Ives doesn’t look as convinced as I had hoped.

“You really expect me to use a weapon without knowing what it does?” she asks. “What kind of general do you think I am?”

“Well, I heard you were the kind with ambition,” I say with a shrug. “I mean, Altair has already agreed to purchase the vials. He thought you might want a piece of the glory, but if not—”