“I’m Klaus Hauptman,” the baritone said after a moment. “Countess New Kiev was kind enough to allow me passage aboard her courier when I discovered she was dispatching one.”

“I see.” Hauptman’s face was far too well-trained to reveal anything he chose to conceal, but she thought she sensed a flicker of surprise at her apparent calm. Perhaps he’d never considered that her people at Basilisk Control might be quick enough to realize the significance of his arrival and warn her he was coming. Or perhaps he’d anticipated her foreknowledge and was simply surprised she wasn’t already quaking in fear. Well, the fear he couldn’t see wouldn’t help him any, she told herself firmly.

“The purpose of my visit, Commander,” he went on, “was to make a… courtesy call on you. Would it be convenient for me to visit your ship during my time here in Basilisk?”

“Of course, Mr. Hauptman. The Navy is always pleased to extend its courtesy to such a prominent individual as yourself. Shall I send my cutter for you?”

“Now?” Hauptman couldn’t quite hide his surprise, and she nodded pleasantly.

“If that would be convenient for you, Sir. I happen to be free of any other pressing duties at this moment. Of course, if you’d prefer to delay your visit, I will be happy to see you any time I can work it in. Assuming our mutual schedules permit it.”

“No, no. Now will be fine, Commander. Thank you.”

“Very well, Mr. Hauptman. My cutter will call for you within the half-hour. Good day.”

“Good day, Commander,” Hauptman replied, and she cut the circuit and pushed herself back into the cushioned contours of her chair. She’d have to take Nimitz to her quarters and leave him there before Hauptman boarded, she told the icy, singing tension at her core. The ’cat was far too sensitive to her moods for—

“Captain?”

Honor hid a twitch of surprise and looked up as McKeon reappeared beside her.

“Yes, Commander?”

“Captain, I… don’t think you should see him alone.” McKeon spoke with manifest hesitation, but his gray eyes were worried.

“I appreciate your concern, Exec,” she said quietly, “but I am captain of this ship, and Mr. Hauptman will be only a visitor aboard her.”

“Understood, but—” McKeon paused and chewed his lip unhappily, then squared his shoulders like a man bracing against a bullet. “Ma’am, I don’t believe for a minute that this is a simple courtesy call. And—”

“A moment, Commander.” She stood, stopping him with a small gesture, then scooped Nimitz up and and looked at Webster. “Samuel, you have the watch. The Exec and I will be in my briefing room if you need us.”

“Aye, aye, Ma’am. I have the watch,” the com officer said, and Honor beckoned wordlessly to McKeon.

They crossed to the briefing room, and Honor parked Nimitz on a corner of the conference table while the hatch slid shut against her bridge crew’s many ears. The ’cat made no protest when she put him down. He merely sat up on his four rearmost limbs and watched McKeon closely.