by Zen DiPietro
“A buyer,” Cabot translated. “You buy things from one place and redistribute them into delivery channels, yes?”
“Yes. I understand you have a historical artifact you’re looking to sell?” She looked from Cabot to Ditnya.
“We do,” Ditnya answered.
“Are you looking for an official return or a private collection?”
“Can you explain the two options?” Ditnya asked.
“Zankarti people place great value on our culture. You may not know this, but that’s a lot of the reason we have little to do with other systems. Most people don’t want outside influences to supersede our own culture.”
She was awfully well-spoken for a buyer.
Ditnya nodded with understanding. “I see.”
“A few centuries ago, we had a problem with an attempted forced occupation. We repelled it, but not before a large number of cultural artifacts were looted. We’ve been reacquiring the pieces as we can, but it’s difficult when we have so little contact with the rest of the galaxy.”
“And yet you’ve allowed the Barony Coalition to set up shop on one of your planets.” Ditnya kept her tune neutral.
Rigby said, “Many people are unhappy about that, but the officials in charge of such decisions made a deal they found advantageous. There are several districts attempting to change their elected representatives to revoke this agreement, but it is a long and slow process. In the meantime, Barony must submit to frequent and specific inspections to ensure their practices do not pose environmental or safety risks.”
“I see,” Ditnya said again. “So if I return an item that was possibly looted to your government, that’s called an official return?”
“Yes. You will receive compensation for your time and effort in bringing it here, and public recognition as a friend of Zankarti.”
“I’m guessing that’s the low-price option,” Omar said.
Ditnya raised an eyebrow at him. “And the private sale?”
“That’s where the money is,” Rigby said. “If you expect a large return, that will be the option you want.”
“Do you have no feelings about cultural artifacts?” Ditnya asked. “You seem more interested in us selling it to a private collector. Maybe so you can get a cut of the price for making the introduction?”
“I’d rather see it returned,” Rigby admitted. “But if you’re going to sell it privately, a Zankarti citizen should at least get a piece of that.”
Nagali and Ditnya both smiled.
“I like your pragmatism,” Ditnya said. “Can you tell me what it means to be considered a friend of Zankarti?”
“You would be invited to a state dinner in your honor and receive a tour of Zankarti, our first inhabited planet and the seat of our government.”
“And if the item in question is very valuable? Perhaps on the order of three-quarters of a million cubics?” Ditnya asked.
Rigby’s eyes widened. “Returning such an item would be a great gift indeed. People who have done that have, in the past, received visiting privileges to Zankarti planets and VIP treatment while doing so.”
“Oh, I do enjoy VIP treatment.” Ditnya smiled. “Let’s do that one. The official return.”
Rigby and Hane both looked surprised.
“Don’t worry, Hane,” Ditnya went on, “I’ll give you ten thousand cubics for making the introduction to Rigby, even though no payment will be made for the artifact. And Rigby, would it be possible to engage you as my personal guide during my time here? I’ll pay you ten thousand a day.”
Rigby blinked rapidly. “Yes, I will be happy to do so, for someone returning a piece of our heritage.”
And for a whole lot of money, Cabot thought. Ditnya must be impressed with the woman to offer her that kind of pay. It made sense, though, since they had little information about how life in this system worked. She would be a valuable source of knowledge, and possibly a key to understanding her people.
Rigby’s eyes darted side to side, indicating intense thought. “I should be able to make arrangements within just a couple hours. I’m sure you’d prefer to wait on your ship. You’ll be in far greater comfort there. I’ll contact you when I have details.”
“Excellent.” Ditnya stood. “Thank you for your kind instruction. I look forward to working with you.”
Rigby lifted her hand to her forehead in what Cabot guessed to be a gesture of respect or gratitude.
Ditnya turned her attention to Hane. “I’ll issue your payment upon our departure.”
Smart. That would keep him from selling them out to any mercenaries in the area. At least until he got paid, anyway.
Kelvin led the way back to the Bona Fide, and as they walked, Cabot had a sense of things clicking together. Finally, his intentions could be put into action
Now they could do the real work.
5
“I expected a lot of things, but not this.” Nagali looked magnificent in a formal gown, sipping champagne and being entertained by Zankarti heads of state.
Cabot didn’t even bother wondering why she would have packed such a garment for this journey. Nagali adored her fashions. Her scarlet dress had the multilayered look she liked and a long, full skirt, which made it highly respectable and formal. But then it also had a plunging neckline that displayed a surprising amount of skin, including the light dusting of freckles in her cleavage.
When Nagali had emerged in the gown, she clearly wanted someone to say something about it. Ditnya had raised an eyebrow while Omar had suddenly found something in the opposite direction highly interesting.
Cabot had seen an opportunity. “You look as beautiful as the day we met. No, even more so.”
When he offered her his arm, he’d known he had scored some points with her.
Now, he stood on the fringes and watched her work the crowd. While Ditnya performed well as the secretly philanthropic benefactor, Cabot observed the people, the culture, and asked frequent questions of Rigby.
Omar spent most of his time at the buffet. Cabot could hardly blame him. The tables practically groaned with the abundance of tantalizing foods. In that respect, it was difficult to tell that the local people had been forced to rein in their fete due to Ditnya’s insistence that her identity remain unknown.
She’d insisted that she hadn’t made the donation for the purpose of recognition, and in fact, such recognition could harm her business image. Instead of a publicized ceremony, the Zankarti bigwigs had arranged a private reception on Mayani Prime, while furnishing all of the perks of a major state celebration.
The food, the drinks, and the décor were all divine. He stood outside the ballroom on a terrace. Huge doors opened outward to allow access to the sunny outdoors and manicured lawns.
While Nagali smiled and looked through her lashes at yet another secretary of something or other, Cabot pressed Rigby for the kind of information about the prime minister and the members of parliament that wasn’t included in official biographies.
“That’s Minister Fonsecca,” Rigby murmured, watching the woman talk to Ditnya. “She’s quite liberal, but her family’s economic standing isn’t what it once was, so she works extra hard to prove that she’s financially conservative.”
A man joined the pair. Rigby added, “And that’s Minister Oriahn. He’s an ultra-traditionalist in name, but has a tendency to do some liberal backhanded deals that the people never learn about.”
Cabot sipped his champagne. He didn’t care for the stuff, but pretending to partake and enjoy was important at a shindig like this. “And yet you know about those backhanded deals.”
Rigby gave him a guarded look. “I make it my job to know. From what I understand, you deal in commerce, so you must understand that information is everything.”
“Truer words were never spoken.” Cabot inclined his glass toward her. “Where I’m from, there are many different types of commercial ventures, ranging from the ultra-orthodox to downright theft. Most people work within the range between those two
. Is it the same here?”
“We’re highly regulated, with a great many checks and balances to preserve the economy and the status quo. It would be very difficult to pull off massive larceny against the government or any major entity. Which is what I think you’re asking.” She gazed out at the crowd with a pleasant smile.
He adopted the same expression, showing anyone who might be looking how much he was enjoying this lovely occasion. “What about smaller commerce? How much embezzling, stealing, and cheating do you see?”
“People will get away with as much as they can,” she said. “I’m sure it’s the same where you live.”
His smile turned genuine. “Indeed it is, for many.”
“For you?” she asked pointedly.
“I like to think I have more scruples than most, but perhaps that’s an affectation I adopted while living among the honorably self-depriving type.”
“I’m not sure what you mean,” she admitted.
“Surely you’re aware of the PAC, their officers, and their ethical practices.”
“Yes. Of course. So you are outside of that establishment?”
He needed to be careful, lest she say the wrong thing to someone important. He had the feeling she had a great many connections. “I’m not a PAC officer, no. Though my business is located on a PAC station.”
“Then why are you here? I assumed you were a longtime partner of Ms. Caine.”
“Not at all. She operates far above my level. But, given the current instability of our region of space, we’ve teamed up for the short term.”
She nodded. “I see. Taking advantage of the situation, or safeguarding against worse things to come?”
Impressed with her assessment, he said, “Some of both.”
“So what is it you want here? I don’t believe Ms. Caine simply wanted to return the offering bowl. I’ve known philanthropists, and she isn’t one of them. And that woman of yours is clearly what my people call a culture raider. I see her looking at every single item of value and mentally calculating its cost.”
Cabot returned his gaze to Nagali. She had her hand on Minister Fonsecca’s arm and was laughing prettily.
“Let’s say you’re right,” Cabot said. “Ditnya Caine is an opportunist, and Nagali is what my people call an antiquities collector. Why aren’t you blowing the whistle on us?”
“Blowing what?” Rigby blinked in confusion. “Is that a sexual proposition?”
She glared at him.
“No! Absolutely not. It’s a figure of speech for putting up an alert. Warning your people.”
Her cheeks reddened. “I see. I’m sorry for my assumption. That phrase means something else here.”
Cabot chuckled. “I figured. But if you find us suspicious, why aren’t you telling anyone that?”
“Why would they listen to a nobody like me when they can now brag to their constituents about returning a priceless artifact to our people? The ministers are more than eager to use this opportunity to garner goodwill and further their careers. Right now, their primary interest is to treat you like royalty in the hopes that you might one day bring another treasure back to them. They’ll flatter you and fawn over you, and when you leave, they’ll display the bowl along with a story of how hard they worked to retrieve it from the looters who stole it.”
“I can’t tell how you feel about that,” Cabot said. “You see through their actions, but seem neither upset nor entertained by it.”
Rigby smirked. “I’m insignificant in the course of these events, so it doesn’t benefit me to feel any particular way about it. This is just how my government works.”
Several newcomers had joined Ditnya’s group. It was funny how normal she could seem, when she wanted to. No, more than normal. Charming. Charismatic. Delightful, even. Cabot wondered if any of them had an inkling of what she was capable of.
“What would you change, if you could?” he asked.
“Change?” Rigby looked surprised. She frowned in thought for several long moments. “Nothing.”
“Nothing?” Cabot stared at her in surprise.
“Overall, the system works. Who am I to change things? One small adjustment could lead to a chain reaction that ruins everything.”
“What do you make of Barony occupying your system, then? That’s a huge change.”
She looked down into her glass. “I don’t like it.”
“Why did your government allow them in?” he pressed, feeling like he was getting close to something. “That’s entirely unprecedented.”
“Money. Of course. Along with agreements that they wouldn’t interfere with commerce or visit any of the inhabited planets. Supposedly, they’re renting Mayani Minor, and our system won’t be affected in any way except to bolster our economy with a whole lot of money.”
“But you don’t believe that,” he guessed.
“Would you? Barony will do what it likes. If it decides it likes wiping us out, it will make every effort to do so.”
Kelvin came into view, talking animatedly with a young woman. Cabot was surprised to see the man looking anything but grim or angry. That reminded him to glance around for Astrid, who Ditnya had assigned to keep an eye on security, but he didn’t see her.
“I wouldn’t care to have Barony close to my home,” he admitted.
“What would you do if they were?”
“Depends,” he said carefully. “I’d leave if I could. If not, I’d deal with it, as you are. Unless there was something I could do to get rid of them.”
Her gaze sharpened as he said it, and he suddenly understood her. She wanted a way to do something. She just didn’t have it. “How would you do that?”
“I’d find out as much as I could, then take that information to the people who would use it to do what I wanted.” He wasn’t talking about some hypothetical situation, and they both knew it.
He had her. She would help them figure out what Barony was doing in Zankarti. He looked to Nagali and caught her eye. With nothing more than a look, he let her know he had something.
Thirty seconds later, a laugh rang out from her group and it dispersed. Still chuckling lightly, she crossed to Cabot and stood with him and Rigby.
“You two look awfully cozy over here. Should I be worried?” she smiled, showing she wasn’t the least bit worried.
“Not at all,” Cabot said lightly. “Rigby and I were just finding out how much she has in common with us.”
“Is that right?”
Rigby’s response was measured. “Maybe. Perhaps we could talk more after the party. I can’t keep you two occupied much longer or it will look odd.”
“Because you’re nobody,” Nagali concluded matter-of-factly.
Rigby smiled, apparently amused by Nagali’s bluntness. “Exactly. I can meet you on your ship after you’re done with all the fawning and glad-handing.”
She moved away, back into the ballroom.
Nagali focused all of her attention on Cabot. “What’s that about?”
“An ally. How are you faring?”
She shrugged. The action made her neckline widen precariously. Cabot was torn between staring and looking to see if anyone else had noticed.
“My eyes are up here.” Nagali smirked at him.
“Yeah, but I’m not worried about whether they’re going to fall out of your head.” Resolutely, though, he met her gaze.
“Nothing’s falling out. They have fashion tape for that.” She gave her shoulders a little bounce to prove it.
“Stop that,” he whispered. “You’re going to give some Zankarti person a heart attack.”
She grinned.
“You know,” he said, “I never noticed it, but you look so much like Omar right now.”
Her grin disappeared, making him laugh.
“Just for that,” she said, “you have to dance with me.”
She grabbed his arm and pulled him toward the dance floor.
“Noo,” he moaned. “I’m sorry. You look nothing like Omar, and can go
flash your boobs all over the planet if you want.”
She laughed. “Nope. Sorry. You must dance.”
She arrived at a place that met with her approval and stopped, turned to him, and put her arms around his neck.
He stopped arguing. This wasn’t too bad, actually.
He put one hand on her waist and took her hand with the other. If they were going to dance, they might as well do it properly.
Her lips parted in surprise as he guided her into a series of steps. “You know how to dance! Why didn’t I know this before?”
“Because you’re a self-involved monster.”
“It’s true.” She showed no remorse. “But I’m making an effort to pay you far more attention these days. How am I doing?”
“I’m torn. If I say it’s too much, you might become so scarce I can’t find you, and you’ve already ditched me a few times recently. But if I say not enough, you might want to move into my quarters.”
“So, is it about right, then?” she asked.
He thought about it. “I guess? I suppose it’s good that I wanted to see you.”
“Definitely good,” she agreed.
“How much longer do you think this thing will go?” he wondered.
“About two more hours, I’m guessing.” She edged in a little closer.
“Are you getting anything useful?” As they moved, he kept an eye on who was talking to who.
“I don’t think so, but I’ve completely charmed a few people. You never know. They could prove useful.”
He gave her waist a little squeeze. “Well, maybe Ditnya or Kelvin has come up with something.”
She laughed at his implied insult about her charm. “Or Pigie. She’s around here somewhere.”
“I’m pretty sure the only damage she’s doing is to the buffet. She and Omar are probably seeing who can put away more.”
“Probably. Think they’ll cause a diplomatic incident?”
“Nah. I think we’re safe.”
The song ended. It was a shame. He’d rather keep dancing than go back to schmoozing with a bunch of stuffy parliament people. It wasn’t his forte.
