Hesh Verbon finished her fifth game of solitaire before she leaned over and
tapped a button on the intercom.
"Send in Raisa Uzza now."
The response crackled through the tiny speaker. "Yes, Portmaster."
Verbon rose to greet the diplomat when the dignified older woman walked into her office, accompanied by a droid that carried an assortment of gifts.
Displaying her widest smile, Verbon extended her hand. Lady Uzza hesitated for a second, then grasped Verbon's hand and gave it a slight but firm shake, then quickly released it.
The portmaster's smile was reduced to a slight grin. "I will admit I never expected this to happen! Lady Uzza, the great diplomat from Theed, one of the Queen's trusted staff, here in my humble office."
Raisa inclined her head and quickly raised it to stand eye to eye with Verbon. "I'm honored that you found time to speak with me, considering your schedule."
"Ah yes, I'm so sorry that I had to keep you waiting. Running such a busy port is hectic, always new demands on the little bit of time I have."
"I can imagine," Raisa countered in a dry tone. "But I do hope that these small tokens of my esteem are some compensation."
Verbon looked carefully at the gifts. "Hmmm, a selection of fine Core goods. I'm especially fond of those liqueurs. You show excellent taste, Lady Uzza. The purpose of your visit must be very urgent. Otherwise, I'm sure you could have waited until my next regular visit to Theed, yes?" She looked up, checking for the diplomat's reaction.
Raisa's expression stayed cool. "My mission is very urgent. We need information on the Calle family. We are willing to compensate you further if you can supply something we can use, the sooner the better."
"Ah, the Calles! Yes, of course you would be interested in them. They returned to Naboo recently after leaving the system for several years, only to find that their only son married your daughter and fathered a child before he gave his life in battle." When Verbon spoke again, her voice was filled with amusement. "Don't tell me we have in-law troubles here?"
"I'm not at liberty to discuss why we want the information," Raisa said quietly.
"You know, it's funny, not that Minister Calle isn't a lovely girl, but I was surprised when I heard the news of the marriage. From what's been whispered about Baris, she didn't strike me as exactly his type."
Raisa perked up. "And what did you hear, Portmaster?"
Verbon began picking up the items the droid carried and arranging them on the shelves in the office. "Dear Lady, let me tell you this. You won't find what you're looking for here in Keren. Nor will you find it in any of the Calle's business dealings; they're too clever for that. They'll never get into anything they can't buy or bully their way out of. What you want is something they keep very close to the vest. Now if you'll excuse me, I must get back to running my port. It's been a pleasure, Lady. Do stop by again sometime."
"Thank you, Portmaster Verbon," Raisa said in a tone much more controlled than her feelings at the moment. She turned and walked toward the door.
"Oh, and Lady Uzza, it's so refreshing to see that you are not above using your station for a personal interest," Verbon said as Raisa stepped into the hallway.
Raisa gritted her teeth and kept on walking.
"Send in Raisa Uzza now."
The response crackled through the tiny speaker. "Yes, Portmaster."
Verbon rose to greet the diplomat when the dignified older woman walked into her office, accompanied by a droid that carried an assortment of gifts.
Displaying her widest smile, Verbon extended her hand. Lady Uzza hesitated for a second, then grasped Verbon's hand and gave it a slight but firm shake, then quickly released it.
The portmaster's smile was reduced to a slight grin. "I will admit I never expected this to happen! Lady Uzza, the great diplomat from Theed, one of the Queen's trusted staff, here in my humble office."
Raisa inclined her head and quickly raised it to stand eye to eye with Verbon. "I'm honored that you found time to speak with me, considering your schedule."
"Ah yes, I'm so sorry that I had to keep you waiting. Running such a busy port is hectic, always new demands on the little bit of time I have."
"I can imagine," Raisa countered in a dry tone. "But I do hope that these small tokens of my esteem are some compensation."
Verbon looked carefully at the gifts. "Hmmm, a selection of fine Core goods. I'm especially fond of those liqueurs. You show excellent taste, Lady Uzza. The purpose of your visit must be very urgent. Otherwise, I'm sure you could have waited until my next regular visit to Theed, yes?" She looked up, checking for the diplomat's reaction.
Raisa's expression stayed cool. "My mission is very urgent. We need information on the Calle family. We are willing to compensate you further if you can supply something we can use, the sooner the better."
"Ah, the Calles! Yes, of course you would be interested in them. They returned to Naboo recently after leaving the system for several years, only to find that their only son married your daughter and fathered a child before he gave his life in battle." When Verbon spoke again, her voice was filled with amusement. "Don't tell me we have in-law troubles here?"
"I'm not at liberty to discuss why we want the information," Raisa said quietly.
"You know, it's funny, not that Minister Calle isn't a lovely girl, but I was surprised when I heard the news of the marriage. From what's been whispered about Baris, she didn't strike me as exactly his type."
Raisa perked up. "And what did you hear, Portmaster?"
Verbon began picking up the items the droid carried and arranging them on the shelves in the office. "Dear Lady, let me tell you this. You won't find what you're looking for here in Keren. Nor will you find it in any of the Calle's business dealings; they're too clever for that. They'll never get into anything they can't buy or bully their way out of. What you want is something they keep very close to the vest. Now if you'll excuse me, I must get back to running my port. It's been a pleasure, Lady. Do stop by again sometime."
"Thank you, Portmaster Verbon," Raisa said in a tone much more controlled than her feelings at the moment. She turned and walked toward the door.
"Oh, and Lady Uzza, it's so refreshing to see that you are not above using your station for a personal interest," Verbon said as Raisa stepped into the hallway.
Raisa gritted her teeth and kept on walking.