As they walked into the lobby, a flood of loud music rang around them. Startled, Kaine searched for its source and saw a small man with a balding head walk quickly out of a crowded room. When the door closed behind him, the sound became muffled. Only for a second, however, as it opened again, and another man rushed after the first, calling out to him.

“Sir Corash!” The small man paused and looked back. “Pardon my boldness, but I’d like to have a word with you.”

“What about, senator?”

The newcomer was much taller, with a heavier build and vivid red hair. He wore the traditional black robe of his profession, with the Imperial wreath hand-drawn on the right shoulder.

“Earlier, you mentioned a Drill—”

The man lifted a hand to stop the senator. As he responded, he glanced up at a couple of small bots that hovered nearby. “I spoke too hastily. Please pretend I said nothing.”

“Ah, but sir, if it can truly help against these invaders, then it is crucial to tell me about it.”

“Tell you, Iden? Not the Senate?”

The other man pursed his lips. “Well. Considering your reluctance to discuss the matter, I thought it would be wiser to keep it between us for now. The Senate could be brought in, of course, if necessary.”

The small man grimaced and shook his head. “It is nothing. Please, senator. Forget about it.” He glanced up again at the bots. “It would be best for everyone. Good day.”

Iden frowned and looked up as the other swung around and hurried out of the hotel.

Kaine had frozen in place, staring at the man, who still stood there watching the other go with a disgruntled expression.

He felt a little hand tugging at his sleeve. Looking down, he saw Ondine with a frown on her face. She gestured toward the senator.

“I know what you’re thinking,” said Kaine, “but we’re supposed to keep a low profile. Didn’t you hear? That man is a senator.”

The girl pushed him and motioned again toward Iden.

He grunted. “Well, they did say it could help against the invaders, but still...”

Her gestures became more pressing.

“Alright, alright! Fine. I’ll go talk to him.”

When he looked back to where Iden had stood, he saw the man was gone.

“Well, that settles it.”

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Ondine grabbed his arm and spun him around, then pointed toward an elevator. The senator was standing next to it, speaking with a woman.

“Okay, but now he’s busy.”

The girl pushed him again.

He sighed and started toward the senator.

“Excuse me, Mr. Iden?” The man and woman turned to look at him. “I was wondering if I could have a word with you?” He glanced at the woman. “Ah, uh, alone, if possible? Begging your pardon.”

The senator quirked a brow. “What is this about, young man? If you have a petition to make, there are forms for that, you know.”

“No, it’s just... I’m sorry, but I overheard what you were saying with that gentleman who just left. And I think I might have some relevant information... Maybe.”

Iden’s eyes darted up and squinted. He swung suddenly toward the woman. “If you’ll excuse me, Zintra, it shouldn’t take long.”

Without waiting for her response, he grabbed Kaine’s arm and pulled him toward the elevator.

“Quickly,” he whispered, “while the coast is clear.”

Kaine barely had time to see the woman’s puzzled look before they got into the cabin. The senator turned to face him, opened his mouth, then shut it as he looked down, a frown on his face.

“Who’s that?” he asked.

Following his gaze, Kaine smiled.

“That’s Ondine. She’s with me. You’ll have to excuse her if she doesn’t say anything, she’s mute.”

“Oh.” A pause. “Very well.” He looked up. “Now explain yourself.”

“You were talking about the Gandoran Drill, weren’t you?”

“I’ve never heard of it.”

“Oh. I thought—”

“I mean, Corash only called it a Drill. I can’t imagine there are too many devices out there with a similar name.”

“No, I guess not.”

“What do you know about it?”

The door opened and they stepped out of the elevator, Iden leading them down the hall as they spoke.

“Not much, to be honest, but... We were—I mean, I was on a rimworld called Alterica some time ago and there’s a cave there with a large hole in the ground. One of the colonists told us, well, told me that there used to be an alien device there called the Gandoran Drill. It just floated above the hole. Scientists came—”

“Scientists? How long ago was this?”

Kaine frowned.

“I’m not sure. I think the guy said it happened shortly after that planet was discovered.”

“What did you say its name was?”

“Alterica.”

Iden stopped at a door and opened it, motioning for Kaine and the girl to step in first. He closed the door behind them, then lifted his wristpad and tapped on its screen. Data floated in the air between them, and the senator swiped through it quickly. Frowned.

“A hundred and thirty-five years. Why had I not heard of this?”

He continued scrolling through and reading the display, so Kaine remained quiet, shifting uncomfortably, and glancing at the girl. What were they doing here? Should they just leave? He’d told the man what he had to say, he’d done his good deed of the day—for what little good it would do.

“Interesting,” muttered the senator.

“You’ve found more information about it?” he asked curiously.

“Oh yes. Cal Treggor’s reports, Del Ammar’s, and quite a few others. Though the more recent ones are—”

He suddenly stopped, his gaze focusing on Kaine. He narrowed his eyes.

“Who did you say you were?” he asked.

“Oh. As to that, well, I’m just... You know, a merchant. Is all.”

“A merchant? And do you have a name, mister merchant?”

“They call me Rodger.”

He couldn’t tell this man his real name, so he spurted out the first that popped into his head.

“Do they now?”

Kaine glanced at Ondine, who stared back at him with a blank expression. A big help she was, that one!

“No matter, Mr. Rodger. I believe I owe you for this information.”

“You do?”

Iden smiled. “And I’m a man of my word.” He placed his wristpad against Kaine’s for a second, then pulled it away. “You now have my contact information. Call upon me if you ever need anything. Now, if you don’t mind, I require some time alone.”

Still startled, Kaine nodded, grabbed the girl’s hand, and pulled her toward the door.

“Thank you, senator,” he said before stepping out of the room.