Kalico watched as the airlock opened on the shuttle’s side, the passenger stairs dropping.

“Here goes,” she said, striding forward.

As expected, a man emerged. Dressed in a high-collared medium-gray jacket over slim-fitting white pants and footwear, he had a black sash of office draped from his left shoulder to right waist. Close-cropped silver hair, high forehead, piercing black eyes, and a strong jaw added to his authoritative expression. Taking the rail in a gloved hand, he carefully descended as if each step was considered and studied.

Behind him came the First—male, tall, close-cropped light-brown hair and hazel eyes. His head immediately began scanning back and forth as he descended. Recording every detail of the landing field for later analysis.

The Second might have been in his thirties, bald, his silver eyes looking mechanical, expression pinched. Like the First, he was dressed in gray, the tunic and pants featureless.

When the Third emerged, she had long white hair, though she, too, had the appearance of being in her thirties. When she reached the bottom of the ramp, Kalico could see that she had blue eyes, delicate features, and a slim figure.

And finally the Fourth emerged, squinted around in the light, and bounced down the steps like a dancer. The man was built like a human wedge, thick-shouldered, narrow-waisted, his face mostly flat planes around a knobby nose.

Kalico led the way, announcing, “Inspector General, welcome to Donovan. I am Board Supervisor Kalico Aguila.”

Soukup tilted his head, that dark-eyed gaze sweeping her from head to toe. “You are dressed like a local? Have you nothing official to wear?”

“Not these days,” Kalico told him with faked wry humor. She was achingly aware of the recorder and analyst, their gazes fixed on her with a stark focus. Reading her expressions, pupil dilation, skin flush, and temperature. “Come. Let me introduce Shig Mosadek. I’m sure you’re familiar with his file.”

“My pleasure, Inspector General,” Shig said in his most amiable voice. “Welcome to Port Authority. As soon as your duties allow, I would like to have you come to my residence for a cup of tea and conversation. And, in the meantime, allow me to present this acorn squash, picked from my own garden. If you need cooking instructions, I would be delighted to offer some of my own recipes.”

Shig extended the squash. The Fourth stepped forward placing himself between Shig and the IG.

Soukup stared at it, then back at Shig. “What do you expect in return, sir?”

Kalico fought the urge to rock her jaw, extended a restraining hand Talina’s way when she started forward.