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thing?”
    Hank stared at her. “It’s some surplus military gear, why do you ask?”
    “It’s more than that.”
    “Why do you say that?” Hank shifted uneasily in his pilot’s seat.
    “I just know. This isn’t a normal ship.”
    “I don’t like her,” Elsa said.
    “Elsa, you aren’t helping. Go back to plotting our course.”
    “She’s a cyber-psi, and she has no respect for privacy!”
    Sai had dealt with this all her life. When people discovered she was a computer telepath, they were uncomfortable and guarded. But usually it involved privacy of their bank accounts, or personal writings and images; this was the first time that she had actually entered another entity’s mind. She had never experienced anything like it. Part of her felt ashamed because she truly had invaded Elsa in a way that was inexcusable.
    “We all have our secrets it seems,” Sai said, speaking toward the ship’s console. “I am truly sorry. I had no idea that you were … you. Tell you what. You keep quiet about my secret, and I’ll respect yours. I don’t want to cause you any problems.”
    “I suppose in light of the circumstances, I should go ahead and formally introduce you to Elsa,” Hank said. “She can’t hide from you. Elsa, meet Sai.”
    “I would say it’s a pleasure to meet you, but I’m still mulling over that shit-bucket comment, and I don’t take kindly to uninvited guests snooping around in my thoughts.”
    “Again, Elsa, I’m sorry. I didn’t realize. I won’t do it again.”
    “See that you don’t. I’m not as easily distracted by a pretty face as Hank.”
    Hank smiled and shrugged. “Elsa’s program is based on an actual scout, a woman who patrolled the Outyonder during the Psi Wars. I knew her then. She was a friend. And now, she’s a hell of a lot more than just a ship: she’s my partner.”
    “Unfortunately, it seems like I’m mostly a silent partner. I must say that I would occasionally like to have a bit more say-so when Hank tries to make the occasional boneheaded move—such as taking on this run. You, little miss, are trouble.”
    “Now, now,” Hank said. “Don’t get catty. You two are going to have to get along.”
    He didn’t speak again until they were free of Nebula Prime’s polluted atmosphere. “Okay,” he said. “We’ll have you on Raken in no time. If you want to catch a few hours’ sleep, there’s an extra bunk.”
    “Clean sheets?” Sai asked.
    Elsa piped in. “Don’t count on it.”
    “Hey,” Hank said. “I changed those sheets last year.”
    Sai reclined the copilot's chair. “I think I’ll just stay here, thanks.”
    “Wise decision,” Elsa said.
    Sai closed her eyes and spent the rest of the uneventful flight napping.

    Chandler arrived at Tyree’s Emporium on the planet Raken for his rendezvous with the courier early enough to take a walk around the block, searching out of habit for anything that raised a warning flag: a conspicuous stranger hanging around a street corner, an occupied parked floater, a pedestrian who did a lot of walking but never seemed to get anywhere.
    It paid to be cautious in his line of work. The job covered the rent, but it could also make a man dead.
    On the job, some dicks liked to wear leathers and exo, which made them stand out like a corporate lord in a slum. Chandler favored the opposite strategy. For this job, he wore oil-stained tech-crew coveralls and a weathered jacket to blend in with the crowd and avoid attention.
    He reached into his jacket pocket and repositioned his blaster, which weighed him down like a tombstone. He glanced at his watch. It was important to stick to the timetable.
    Dusk, and the streets were busy, as usual. Day or night didn’t matter: the ships came in at all hours, and thirsty, horny spacers poured into the city like wild dogs. Raken enjoyed the bounty of being a crossroads world where several major trade routes intersected. Hemdale City had the planet’s largest starport, and the