Kiva snorted. “Why the fuck would I hear from them? I’m not the one they were dealing with. It’s doubtful they have the first clue who I am. If they were going to contact anyone, it would be my chief purser. And before you ask, they haven’t contacted him since you pulled your stupid stunt. If I were going to guess, I’d suspect they’re probably trying to book passage on another ship leaving End.”

“Which ones are leaving in the same time frame as yours?”

“Do I look like a fucking traffic controller to you, Ghreni? I don’t know, and I don’t really care.”

“I’d like you to delay your departure.”

“Why would I do that? Even if I wanted to, which I don’t, our spot at Imperial Station is already scheduled to be taken over by another ship. We’ve got nowhere to stay.”

“Your ship could stay within system.”

“Or we could leave when we’re supposed to, because we’ve got a fucking schedule and you don’t make it.”

“I would owe you a favor,” Ghreni said.

Kiva laughed out loud at this. Then, “Say that again, Ghreni. I want to see if I’ll laugh as much a second time.”

“We used to be friends.”

“We used to fuck each other. It’s not the same thing. Which you of all people know.”

More silence. Then, “I’d like to talk about the three million marks.”

“I’m sure you would.”

“I don’t have Claremont. I’m not sure why you should have my three million marks.”

“I should have them because the deal was I let you know if he booked passage. He did. The rest was up to you. It’s not my fault you hire incompetents.”

“Kiva, if I find out that you were behind him escaping, you won’t like it.”

“Well, I have two responses to that. One, fuck you, you shitty little example of a human. Two, if I were behind it, what the fuck could you do to me? I’m leaving End, you asshole. I’ll be back home within the year and I’ll be taking a job at corporate. I’ve done my time on a ship. You, meanwhile, will still be here, a pimple on the ass end of space. So threaten all you want, you amoral fuck. It doesn’t mean anything.”

Ghreni sighed. “Kiva. Despite everything I still like you a little bit.”

“I’m touched, Ghreni. Really, I am.”

“This is why I’m telling you now that you have no idea what’s coming, and why in the end it wouldn’t be a bad thing to stay on my good side.”