Her eyes lit and her lips twisted into a cruel imitation of a smile. Crew away from the ship didn’t have the same protection as crew on board. “How unfortunate,” she murmured. “I’m sure they can catch up with you at the next station.”

“You would interfere with a Valovian diplomatic mission?” Torran asked, his voice cool.

“Starlight’s Shadow does not hold a diplomatic registration,” the woman sneered.

“Perhaps not. But I do, and I am a paying client of Captain Zarola.”

“And you are?”

“Torran Fletcher, diplomatic envoy of Empress Nepru.”

That would’ve been good to know. As an envoy, he had far more power than as a simple general, no matter how high-ranking. “Kee,” I growled quietly.

“I told you his ship had a diplomatic registration,” she said over the comm, “but my initial search didn’t turn up his status. They must be keeping it quiet. I’ll find out why.”

At the bottom of the cargo ramp, the security liaison flinched and paled. I guess I wasn’t the only one who’d heard of General Fletcher. After a second, she gave Torran a short bow. “Envoy Fletcher, I humbly apologize for the inconvenience, but I must insist on retrieving the traitor.”

“No.” He stared down at her. “Return to your superiors before I report this diplomatic breach to Her Imperial Majesty.” When the liaison didn’t move, Torran barked, “Now.”

The liaison jumped. She took one look at Torran’s expression and bowed again. Her eyes cut to me, filled with impotent rage. The meaning was clear. I was super banned, and if I set foot off of my ship before we left, she would happily lock me up and lose the key.

She turned and marched across the landing bay, the soldiers following her. Once she was far enough away, Torran’s people slid around the side of Starlight and slipped into the cargo bay like silent shadows.

I turned to Torran, who watched the retreating liaison with a frown. “Thank you,” I murmured.

His frown deepened. “She will still ban you from the station.”

My laugh was bitter. “Oh, I know. I knew that before I hired Anja. I’ll report them to the FHP for abuse of power, but it likely won’t matter.”

“We should get out of here,” Eli suggested.

“Tell Kee to get ready for launch and to corral Luna. We don’t need another incident before I can explain. I’ll lock things down here and then show our guests to their quarters. I’ll meet you on the bridge.”

Eli paused, clearly uneasy leaving me in the company of four Valoffs. I gave him a minuscule nod and tilted my head toward the hatch. After another searching glance, he tossed me a lazy salute and left.