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The two doors rose sied--America’s secretary of defense, one assistant, one intern, and two security agents

The captain shook the secretary’s hand, welco the newcomers aboard, followed by a series of diploize for any inconvenience this ure out who this was beneath the illusion He guessed Thorne and Wolf were the security agents, but the gla cast for the Republic’s secretary was perfect, straight down to the ht side of her chin The assistant and intern were equally convincing It was iuish them from Cinder, Iko, and Cress

"Evidently," added the assistant, gaze flashing in Kai’s direction, "this all could have been avoided if the ship’sa pair of wire cutters"

Kai’s ine her beneath the gla over her use of their new "code word" He refrained fro his eyes at her

"It’s no inconvenience at all," said Kai, focusing on the secretary "We’re glad we could be of assistance Do you need us to send anyone to retrieve your ship?"

"No, thank you The Republic has already sent a er than necessary We do have a party to get to, you know"

The secretary winked, very un-diplo--that it would be tiring for her to not only glamour herself but also manipulate the perception of her four co she’d be able to estured toward the exit "Co room where we’ll all be comfortable Can I offer you some tea?"

"I’ll have a whiskey on the rocks," said one of the security personnel

Cinder-the-assistant cast a cold glare at the ht this way" Kai and Torin led their guests away fro the captain and first mate No one spoke until they’d made their way back to his private rooone and the reality of seeing five known cri room rereat aer

"Is this room secure?" asked Thorne

"It should be," said Kai "We use it for international conferencing and--"

"Cress?"

"On it, Captain" Cress pulled a portscreen from her back pocket and went to the control panel built into the wall, running whatever system check she’d devised

"This is Konn Torin, my head adviser Torin, you re up a hand

Kai paused

Nine long, silent seconds passed between theed her portscreen "All clear"

"Thank you, Cress," said Thorne