The woman had listened quietly and sipped her drink while he talked. She now set her glass down and looked him in the eye.

“Those are very violent thoughts, Colonel. Some might even say traitorous.”

Bregg scowled. “Says the woman who just blew a whole armada out of the sky.”

The High Noort smiled. It was the first time he’d seen her smile—but there was nothing pleasant about it.

“Do you think us kindred spirits?”

His frown increased. “Does it matter?”

“I think it does. We may have the same enemy, but that is not enough. You are driven by anger and hatred. I am driven by reason and faith. Those rarely work well together.”

“But we want the same thing!” he countered.

“Do we?”

“I can give you information about our outposts, our numbers, our weak spots—”

“Tell me, Colonel, have you come to Qevahr alone?” He tensed at the question and she smiled again. “Would you give me the names and locations of those who came with you?”

He clenched his fists. “No!”

The answer had come instantly, without even thinking.

She tilted her head. “Why not? They are part of this Imperium you hate so much, are they not?”

“They had nothing to do with anything that happened to me.”

“Nor have the civilians who would be killed by your folly.”

He pointed at the ceiling without looking up.

“Those men you killed on those ships were just as innocent. Most of them had never even set foot on Rimzana.”

“That is true. But they were all soldiers. They knew the risks when they joined the army and joined the crew of a warship. If the Imperium is destroyed, assuming it can even be done—”

“You could do it with your technology!”

“Perhaps. But blinded by your obsession, you have failed to see the obvious.”

Bregg shifted in his seat.

“And what is that supposed to mean?” he asked.

“Unlike you, I wish the Imperium no harm. All I demand is for Rimzana to be freed and for us to be left in peace.”

“Then why am I here?” he asked irritably.

“Frankly, I was toying with the idea of offering the Emperor a trade. But after hearing your story, I see now he would care little for your fate.”

Hearing voiced the fear that had haunted him for the past few years chilled him to the bone. He also realized his plans were falling apart. He needed to find another bargaining chip. And fast.

He thought back to the last twenty-four hours. All they had seen and learned. Further reports had come in from Ferris and the others while he’d walked through the dark tunnel. He saw his wristpad blinking, indicating new messages were waiting for him.

“Does the name Arthum ring a bell?” he asked.

The woman tensed and nodded.

“I can give you his description and tell you where to find him. I can also give you the location of a meeting point he and his co-conspirators recently used. With your advanced technology, I’m sure you could gather useful information if you searched the premises.”

She remained quiet for a long moment.

“I will not attack the Imperium,” she said coldly.

“Then give me some of your technology! Give me the weapons I need and I will give you this information. You wanted to trade? This is the best deal you’ll get.”

The High Noort stood and started pacing the room, back and forth, lost in her thoughts. After a few minutes of pondering, she stopped and looked back at him.

“Very well, Colonel. You have a deal.”