“So we’re going to hunt them down.” Dain Kessler asked as he sat at the long and wide dining room table. The remaining seats were occupied by the rest of the House of Hasara employees and crew. Hasara held the center chair at the head of the table. They were on the second deck of the Kaplan F17 class freighter that Hasara had purchased in the last few weeks.

Hasara replied, “We’ll have to hunt down their ideas first – start spooking their spooks out of the shadows.” He turned his attention to Sinai t’Parthok, his lead security operator. “There’s a station a week from here – a trading point on the Cardassian merchant guilds map. We secured a meeting with what we think is a mid-level operator.”

Sinai sat up from her lounging position. “Hagasi was able to get a name. Khora. She’s recently been demoted – she did something stupid and fell out of favor. It means we might have some leverage to get to her.”

Tareya Khorlett spoke up from her side of the table. “There’s more. The contract that Selene Voss accepted has been resent out for additional participants. We’re not sure if the original buyer decided they needed more eyes looking for us or if Voss is looking for extra muscle.” Hasara watched as her eyes flicked to his momentarily before flashing forward. “Whatever the truth is, the contract is still active.”

Trov grumbled, his baritone voice oozing annoyance. “We should have killed her when we had the chance.” His eyes shifted to Kessler, and the Klingon stared, unblinking.

Hasara sighed, “Trov, we’re trying not to be complete bastards out here in the rimward.” He indicated to Kessler, “He’s given us his word, and he’s working with us. Sinai will kill him if he doesn’t. And yes, Trov…you can have your turn once she’s finished.” Hasara winced as the Klingon sat back, a menacing smile indicating his pleasure with the situation. “There’s one last thing – I’m working on getting us our last crewman. Once I have that in place, we’ll be leaving.” The rest of the group left. He could feel the stare from his young charge. She remained in her seat.

She stared him down before she spoke. “You’re bringing an outsider? This late in the game?” He was not a mind reader, but he could sense her curiosity bordering on frustration.

“She’s not an outsider, at least to me.” Her stare remained resolute, and he relented, “She was a doctor on my colony on Dozaria Prime for a couple of years. She was exceptionally good at her job. Has a little training in engineering. Her hand-to-hand combat isn’t bad.”

Khorlett stood from her chair, “I hope she can carry her weight around here. We will need to get through and out of this mostly alive.” She walked away from the dining hall and up the stairs to the command and quarters deck.

Hasara muttered, “I’m aiming for more than mostly alive.”