“Be nice if Derek could give us some guidance in the matter.” Ednund pulled up a knee. “But Kalico so loathed him, I doubt they are on speaking terms.”

“Everyone loathed my brother,” Falise told him. “Mostly because he was one of the most despicable human beings to ever live.” A fact that had more than once served her well. Falise had been able to play the tortured martyr raised in her vile brother’s shadow.

She looked at her two servants and gestured in the direction of the holo. “Here’s what we have to remember: Once we’re on the planet, the gloves come off. Cinque, Chad, and Bart will be setting the ground game for their families. If we have any advantage, it’s the understanding that for the first time in our lives, there will be no Corporate oversight.”

“What about IG Soukup?” Ednund asked.

Falise gave him a dismissive wave. “What’s between the families has never been of Corporate concern. We do nothing that might violate the rules when it comes to Corporate assets.”

Clarice said, “From my evaluation, Chad will be the most formidable given his influence over Colonel Creamer.”

“I concur,” Falise agreed. “We remove any threat Chad may pose first thing.” She glanced up at Clarice. “You have been maintaining your ties with Charlotte?”

“She is on board, Lady.” A quiver of Clarice’s lips was her only hint of satisfaction. “She understands her role as well as the opportunities.” A beat. “Especially after what happened to Kramer.”

“Second?” Ednund asked.

“Bart.” She nodded at the rightness of it. “He’ll be holding a grudge. One doesn’t forgive the compromising of a valet. Not the way I took him. And right under Bart’s nose.”

“That leaves Cinque,” Ednund said.

“He already aligned himself with me once this trip. Depending upon what we find dirtside, he might again.” She smiled. “And he desires Charlotte. We will soon know if he’s vulnerable.”

“No rules.” Ednund thoughtfully stared at the featureless sialon overhead. “I think I’m going to like Port Authority.”

Chapter 13

  13  

A light rain was falling as Talina made her way down Port Authority’s main avenue. Rattled and upset as she was, the last thing she craved was going home to an empty dome with no one but the quetzals in her mind for company. She needed a distraction, anything but thinking about Dek, flying across all those kilometers in the rainy dark. She was going to be jumpy as a tree clinger until Two Spot called in with confirmation that Dek had arrived safely.

And then there was Best Pass. Dangerous even in the light of day. No, don’t even think it.

“Hope he dies,” Demon spat the words.

“Eat shit and die, you little creep,” Talina growled under her breath. “At least while he’s flying, Dek doesn’t have to put up with your trash, you freaky slug sucker.”