"What brings you to Zatis?" Ten asked pointedly as he served a thick slice of marinated meat to Solae. It was a polite gesture, selecting one of the best cuts with the least amount of spice that might overwhelm a sensitive palate, and a motion that would not have been out of place in the courts. While he was following etiquette it was not because it had become ingrained or there were mindful bystanders. Ten was proper simply because he wished to be in the current company. Regardless of how much his guests might doubt his intentions, he genuinely was interested in at least the marquise seated next to him, and would rather be her ally than a disliked acquaintance.

"Thank you," Solae said before hesitating a moment. Trusting Ten was a high risk, the very embodiment of danger, but had the most potential for guaranteeing their success out of everyone they had met. This self-proclaimed criminal had more resources at his disposal than all the individuals they had talked to on New Concordia combined. That he had utilized this power to save rather than crush them underfoot she took as a positive sign. "We came here for the PEA."

"The PEA?" Ten asked with raised brows and mild surprise. As he settled back into his chair and churned over the notion in his thoughts he nodded. With careful precision he began to slice into a starchy orange vegetable that had been grilled with a light char blackening its edges. It was one of the many fragrant healthier choices available for their meal. "You wish to reach someone in another sector, I presume, for assistance?"

"Duke Tan has started a rebellion and has put out a bounty, almost certainly because he can not function a PEA without me. It is a race of sorts," Solae admitted, "to whether he will capture me first to send out his missive or if I will to alert the empress of his treason."

"He always was a prideful idiot," Ten said with a barking laugh and dismissive shake of his head. More to assuage than Rene than Solae he put up his hand as he steadied his emotions quickly. It was more disconcerting that he could shift from jovial chuckles to a stern and serious expression than almost anything else he had done thus far. Even the most well-composed aristocrats may not be able to do so in the blink of eye as he had so effortlessly accomplished. "This does not change anything for me, soldier. I would not give Duke Tan the name of my least-valued asset, much less hand them over. Solae is safe here."

"Do you know Duke Tan personally?" Solae inquired tentatively.

"No, but I hear things and know things by my trade," Ten replied. "The empress has a legitimate claim to the throne and everything that she could need to be successful, yet by every objective measurement she is having difficulty keeping the Stellar Empire intact and at peace. Do you think Duke Tan will stop his coup with this sector? Do you think he is better suited for rule than the empress or, for that matter, anyone on Cappella? He has ambition but he is overestimating himself. Millions, perhaps billions, will die no matter whether he takes you or not, and he will never have the glory of the empress." Confident in his judgment Ten served himself a helping of a fruit with a thin purple outer skin and a bright red juicy interior not unlike native Earth citrus varieties, though this was a touch more sour.

"Can you help us?" Solae asked since they had launched the conversation with an immediate dispensing of small talk.

"I could," Ten answered truthfully, "but I do not know we will have a congruence of methods. What do you intend to do if you are able to send your message to the empress or her representative?"

"You ask that question because you have something in mind?" Solae countered shrewdly.

"Your reputation does not do you justice, my dear, but indeed. I would see you assume your inheritance as soon as possible in exchange for my assistance in getting you to the PEA," he explained as if they were discussing the weather rather than life-and-death political chess. "With you truly the keeper of secrets as your parents were I will feel much relieved, as we will be able to secure them from falling into the wrong hands. I am sure Rene would appreciate that as well as, while I am not privy to the intimate details of the cache, they are likely to shed some light on the past."

Satisfied that he now had his male companion's attention he moved a slice of decadent cake, oozing with chocolate, caramel, and similar confections, to his plate and smiled. "The PEA is under the control of the local diplomatic office. It gives me no pleasure to tell you that they do not have your moral scruples, but this might make you agree with the easiest plan to gain access to the PEA and all the time we need to see if you can make it function."

"You want to kill him, don't you?" Solae ventured candidly.

"I do."