Caleb Jax stepped into Tyrus Mousette’s office.  “I have the information you wanted.”

“Go ahead.”

“The Human and Andorian arrived several hours ago, beaming directly into the transport area. They had a valid business code, of course, but it wasn’t their code.”

“Whose was it?”

“Kurtox.”

Sitting at his desk, Mousette was sifting through a pile of PADDs while listening to Jax’s report.  When hearing whose code had been used, he froze in place.  “Are you sure?”

“Yes.  It was definitely Kurtox’s code.  The Human and Andorian beamed down from an old B’rel scout ship.  We did a full sensor sweep, but there is no B’rel anywhere in orbit.  If it’s still there, it’s cloaked.  We’re now conducting a thorough sweep, sector by sector.”

The room fell into a heavy silence.  Why was Kurtox back and who were the two people here with him?  Why were they interested in Mara?

Jax could discern that Mousette was deep in thought about the situation.  “Kurtox and Mara were friends on Delvis.  This could simply be a rescue mission to get her back.”

“Then Mister Miloni and Sozi aren’t what they appear to be,” said Mousette.  “Interesting.”

Jax clasped his hands behind his back waiting for orders.

“Find him.”

=====

Saunders had lost track of how much time had passed since he met with Mousette about Mara.  Though bored, he was amazed at how well the normally impatient and impulsive Izi was staying in character.  She tried fruit from different tables, finishing the ones she liked and dropping on the floor the ones she didn’t.  Saunders chuckled, oddly wondering who would clean up her mess.

No longer interested in the fruit, Izi examined some of the tapestries on the walls.  She would stare, leaning centimeters away from them or turn her head sideways.  She would even giggle from time to time.  He had a much greater respect for her now.  Sighing, he was startled when the door opened and someone stepped inside.

“Please come with me.  Mister Mousette will see you now.”

“Where are we going?” said Saunders.

“Mister Mousette will see you in his office.”

“Let’s go, Sozi,” said Saunders.

Izi continued staring at one of the tapestries.

“Sozi?”

Izi slowly turned around.  She was frowning and her antennae leaned forward.  “Am I getting my present now?”

Saunders sighed.  She was really getting into her character.  “Let’s go find out.”  Saunders held out his hand.

Izi smiled and bounded to him, taking the offered hand.  “Okay.”  Smiling, she looked at Mousette’s messenger.  “Lead on!”

The man looked at Saunders, who shrugged.

“This way, please.”

=====

Entering Mousette’s office, Saunders stopped in his tracks.  To one side, Mara was sitting in a chair.  A meter away from her was Kurtox, also seated, with two, large Orions guarding him with disruptors.  It was all Saunders could do to maintain his cover.

Izi giggled and pointed.  “My present!”

“What do you want, Mister Mousette?” said Saunders.

“I want to know what’s really going on,” said Mousette.

“I don’t understand,” said Saunders.  “I brought Sozi here to buy her something.  We’ve never been here, so we hired Kurtox to bring us and have access to his business code.  My offer for the woman was genuine.”  He glanced at Mara, a look of total confusion on her face, but she knew enough to remain silent.

“I suppose that’s possible, but my instincts tell me I shouldn’t believe you,” said Mousette.

“I don’t know what else to say,” said Saunders.  “Once we make a purchase, we’ll leave and you’ll never see us again.”

“Oh, I believe that, but there’s so much more you don’t know,” said Mousette.  “Isn’t that right, Kurtox?”

Kurtox didn’t say anything.

“You see, Mister Miloni, if that’s really your name, Kurtox worked for me.”

So that was the story for another time.  It was how Kurtox knew about Aldavi and how he could get them in.

“Kurtox was a thug and an enforcer, but one day, he decided working for me didn’t pay well enough, so he stole some valuable art and left.   You can imagine my surprise at seeing this betrayer again.”

Kurtox growled.

“There’s something our mutual friend doesn’t know,” said Mousette.  “We’ve upgraded our security measures since he was here.  We sent smart drones into orbit to search for a cloaked ship; they emit tachyon bursts.  Lo and behold, there he was, in grid 16B.  A tractor beam brought his ship to our spacious landing facility.  No one steals from Tyrus Mousette and gets away with it.”

Saunders’ throat was dry.  He had to keep his composure.  “That’s an unfortunate story, but it has nothing to do with us.  Do what you want with Kurtox, but we still want her.”  He pointed to Mara.  “We’ll take Kurtox’s ship and be gone forever.”

Mousette sighed.  “I have nothing against taking your money, but there’s still that feeling in my gut.  There’s also a story behind why Mara is here.”

“Again, Mister Mousette, I just want to make a purchase.  None of that other stuff matters.”  Saunders could see a look in Kurtox’s eyes he didn’t like.

“I don’t like you.  You’re mean.”

Mousette was surprised that Iziraa said that.  Staring at her for a few moments, he chuckled.  “I’m sorry, but business is business.”

“Take me somewhere else, Rigo.  I don’t like it here.”  Iziraa pouted again.

“Now look what you’ve done,” said Saunders, scolding Mousette.  He patted Izi on the back.  “It’s okay, my dear.  I’ll take care of everything.  Are you going to sell her to us?”

“No, I’m not.”

With a roar that startled everyone, Kurtox leaped out of his chair and all hell broke loose.