Atlanta rolled her eyes. “I think it’s because of what you did at Rourke’s Leap.”

Niko stiffened and stood, moving back to the window, where she stood facing away from Atlanta, hands clasped behind her back. “You will have gathered, by now, from my words and actions, I prefer not to speak of that incident. A true gentlebeing would not press me on such a thing. It is extremely rude and unworthy of someone of your position.”

“But it was something that most people would call noble.”

“And something that many people would—and did—call quite foolish.”

“Still, it seems to have served you well enough, up until now.”

Niko turned around, her face impassive. “Does it seem so? When you and I, and the crew that is dependent on me, stand aboard a ship taking us to a place that one of my crew described as, I believe, ‘deep doom’?”

“I mean before all of this.”

Niko shrugged, her shoulders relaxing. “Perhaps so, but even then, there were worries and things to guard against. There always will be if you wield power.”

“No worry of that, if I end up enslaved.”

“If you say who you are, they will send word to the powers that be on your home planet. A ransom will be arranged and you will be returned safely.”

“Safely to an existence I’m no longer suited for.”

“Safely, nonetheless.”

“And the rest of you? What is it that you aren’t telling me?”

“Very well, here are three key players, or at least so the narrative says.” Niko held up one finger. “The first of these is a Skat named Ettilan Eff. They are the current leader of the government, as of two years ago. Usually there are two governments, one overt and the other an unguessed shadow, but in Eff the two combine. A few years ago, they deposed the chief of those leading the shadow government, a human named Frenetic Slim, who had the ill fortune to become enamored of someone in public, then shared V-space, and spent so much time there that Eff was able to maneuver against them and accumulate power enough to move into their role. Slim’s still around in a lesser position, and still holding plenty of power. At the time the book was written, they were actively scheming against Eff. Who knows what may have changed in the intervening years?”

“And the third?”

“The third is a Pupulae. Tubal Last.”

“One of the enemies you mentioned?”

“The same.”

“And he does not like you?”

“Not at all.”

“Not like you, as in he would immediately take you and those with you prisoner and sell you all into slavery?”

“Perhaps a little worse than that.”

“How could it be a little worse than that?”

“He could kill us, and moreover make those deaths unpleasant.”

Atlanta paled. “That is even more barbaric!”

“That is revenge, which he specializes in.”