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We’ve been looking at the building’s blueprint for twenty minutes already under the dim light of the ship. Huge fancy place : hotel, restaurant, cabaret, casino. Five stars on every intergalactic traveler's guide, but you should plan to spend a good chunk of your retirement funds to get the full experience there.
For our target, an amazingly wealthy Paath, it’s no more than the local downtown restaurant, where he gets to invite his weekly date or some work partners.
The building is big enough to occupy the whole block, designed in a mix of old Earth style, fake white stone and sculpted decors. We dismissed catching him at the entrance. It’s wide but all the valets are Canopians, and I don't think any of us would make a convincing potted palm tree. We can’t even be sure how many bodyguards the Paath would have with him, and the hotel has its own security.
I click my tongue and tap the reception room with my finger.
- “I say we go undercover as a couple, on a big night. With the crowd, the cold plasma candlelights, and the orchestra, he won't pay attention to us. Just a normal romantic night.“
The plan unfolds in my head.
- “Oldest trick in the book. We make the reservation for an intimate table in a dark corner, dress up nice, and order a bottle of fine wine...paid by our employer, obviously. And if we play our part properly, we can even keep an eye on him all night long, even after tagging him.”
Uncle Arthur is considering the idea, lips pursed and frowning, and Cassie tilts her head, still bent on the map, already looking for spots where the contact could happen. I look up at Ixil. He does not like my proposition. His face is blank but the ferrets have tensed, looking down at me from his shoulders. I trust Ixil's judgment with my plans, if I’m wrong, I’m wrong, but I don’t like that he is keeping his objections to himself.
I start to ramble a little bit.
- “Seriously, that's the best way. We go, there are people everywhere, having fun, and we microchip him on the way to the bathroom, or even during a dance. He will not be expecting us. And we stay in radio contact, so Cassie can search the checkrooms without risking being surprised by one of his goons."
Uncle Arthur stares at me.
- “Cassie can...Wait, you plan to go undercover with Ixil ?”
I shrug.
- "Yes. He is my partner. Why?"
On my left, I hear Pax chirps softly and Ixil shushes him.
- “Because I am a Kalix...?
-“And? The anathema has been lifted up months ago, you've got your prerogatives back. Nobody will bat an eye if you get a nice meal in an upscale restaurant.”
I’m getting a little bit disturbed by their lack of faith. Cassie still has her eyes locked on the map, but she is now biting her lips, breathing strongly through her nose. Uncle Arthur is pinching the top of his nose.
I snap.
- “Ok, do you see a better way?”
There is a moment of silence, then Uncle Arthur scratches his throat.
- “Well, maybe the undercover thing, but with human male / female pairing? And we let the Kalix and his ferrets take care of the back door operation?
I frown, thinking about the argument and trying to picture the scene. That makes sense. Cassie is good at infiltration, she has proved it several times. It would maybe look less unusual, even if that spacio-port is known for being open minded. And Pix and Pax would certainly offer Ixil extra pairs of eyes for the search.
I nod.
- “Yeah. ok. We can do that too."
The details of the plans are easy to wrap up after that, and the mission could start as soon as the money for the dress and the reservation is released. Ixil even asks for a few special communication equipment, and Uncle Arthur surprisingly agrees.
I’m going back to my cabin when I hear Ixil arriving behind me in the corridor and calling my name.
“Jordan? Do you want to grab dinner at the Steran's place, on the corner? It's not the Plaza, but...
I nod and smile. Gourmet restaurants are always overrated anyway...