Well then! Macharius claps his hands together. It's settled. We will set up a meeting with Alia Kindjal, and if we must die we will remember Anika prefers dismemberment and Kennoch does not. He grins and voxes Williams. Williams, send a message to House Kindjal requesting that Lady Alia Kindjal meet with us at the Stingto discuss our upcoming joint venture.

An official meeting should make it rather less likely that she comes in full battle regalia. Or, if she does, make it clear she means trouble before she gets on board. In the meantime, we shall take necessary precautions. I want dead man's switches set up and ready should we drop out of contact for too long. Perhaps a copy of the data here with the captain of the Sting and at least one copy with off-ship associates. The bankers of House Krin came highly recommended, are we are clients now. Unless anyone has other suggestions?

We also want more immediate precautions. I want platoons of marines ready to burst in at a moment's notice if they hear sounds of combat. She's a formidable combatant, but a hundred lasguns is still a hundred lasguns. Anything else? He looks to the command staff for suggestions.