“Because I’ve read it before. A number of times. And there’s enough there that I remember from my previous visit that I can tell the author really was there, and much more recently than I have been. They identify three key players in the local government, or rather three people who hold power by virtue of bribes and outright payroll to the pirate government. That’s what convinced me; no one could convey how screwy and corrupt that system is without having had to interact with it on a daily basis for a few months.”

“Who are these key players?” Atlanta settled into one of the chairs. Niko might like standing up, but sitting down—and perhaps calling for more cookies—seemed more appealing. “Ship, are there any more cookies?”

“There are no more of those type of cookies,” came the answer.

“Does that mean that there are some kind of other cookies available?”

“Soon there will be cookies with lemon-flavored frosting.”

“Please bring me three when they’re ready.” She cast a glance at Niko. “And three for the captain as well.”

“Dabry’s trying to teach the ship as much of his repertoire as he can before we get there,” Niko said. “Not that I’m objecting in the slightest. Rations may be short soon enough.”

“You were going to tell me who these players were and how they shaped your plan,” Atlanta reminded her captain.

“Was I?” Niko’s voice was amused. “I was under the impression you had asked. I am less under the impression that I was going to tell you.”

“There is no reason for you not to.”

“Other than reinforce your misassumption that you can order me around the way you would anyone else, including the ship. The sooner you lose that attitude, the better. You won’t be able to call for cookies too much longer, Princess.”

Atlanta swallowed down the lump of fear that had grown in her throat at Niko’s words. “Very well, I have been reminded of this. I will be more mindful of it in the future. But please, Captain Larsen. I don’t know what to expect, and the better I am informed beforehand, the better overall, I think. I’m learning that I need to find things out for myself rather than leave them to others.”

“Yes, you are completely correct.” Niko sighed. She moved away from the desk, coming to sit down beside the young woman. “I try to control the things that I can, because there are so many things over which I have no control. Note this, because it will continue throughout your life,” she dryly instructed. “Only one of the many lessons the Empress hopes I will teach you, perhaps.”

“Do you and the Empress know each other?”

Niko shook her head. “Not a whit, as far as I am aware. Does she walk incognito among the troops of her allies, cultivating acquaintances?” Her grin was sly.