Beka stepped out of the Maru's airlock and looked around, shielding her eyes from the sun's glare. There at the edge of the company landing strip was a motor vehicle. Not an animal-drawn vehicle, but an actual motorized one. Standing beside the vehicle was a man wearing the uniform of a company policeman. As Beka looked his way, he snapped to attention and opened the passenger side door. Beka was almost impressed. Whoever this General Burma was who wanted to see her, he was obviously pulling out all stops in an effort to make a good impression.

"Good afternoon, Captain," said the Tan as Beka approached the vehicle. "General Burma sent me to pick you up and escort you to his office. If you will take a seat, I'll take you to him."

The driver wasn't one for idle conversation, instead answering Beka's questions with one word answers. After a few moments, Beka gave up trying to engage him in conversation.

The difference between north-side and south-side was like night and day. The road they were traveling on was paved and several lanes wide. What passed for roads in south-side were dirt and were more like wide alleyways than real roads. The buildings actually looked clean. There was even a fountain that seemed to serve decorative purposes rather than as a source of water for the residents. There were also numerous Black and Tans patrolling the area. It seemed to Beka that if a person was unfortunate enough to have to live their life as a mudfoot, this would be a good place to live. True, any contract workers that married and had children were forced to move to south-side, but there was really no reason for the workers to marry in the first place. The company operated brothels with prostitutes of both sexes available to satisfy the needs of their workers.

The vehicle stopped in front of an imposing looking building bearing the Seefra Fuel and Iron logo. There was a pair of Black and Tans guarding the entrance who came to attention as Beka and her escort approached them.

Beka's escort led her through the building before finally stopping at a door that bore the label 'security' where he knocked and announced, "Captain Valentine here to see you, sir."

"Send her in," came a voice from the other side of the door.

Berka's escort opened the door and Beka stepped into the office. There was a man sitting behind a large, well-polished desk. He stood up as Beka entered and extended his hand. "Captain Valentine. I appreciate you answering my request for a visit so quickly. I'm General Akihiko Burma, head of Seefra Fuel and Iron security. Please have a seat." He waved a hand in the direction of the comfortable looking chair placed in front of his desk. "Would you like some refreshments? Coffee, perhaps?"

This time Beka was impressed. Coffee was an expensive luxury. It was grown mostly on Seefra Five, which judging by Burma's slight accent and almond-shaped eyes might have been his original place of birth.

"General?" asked Beka as she savored the aroma of the cup Burma had given her. "I thought that was a military rank, not a police rank."

"We use the same rank system as the military," explained Burma. "It's less confusing to civilians, including company employees."

Beka nodded her head in polite agreement even though she had no idea what the rank structure for the local military was, let alone the police. Small talk continued while she and Burma finished their coffee. When Burma finished his, he placed the cup to one side of his desk and leaned slightly forward. Beka knew that the chitchat was over, and Burma was getting ready to talk business.

"The reason I wanted to speak with you, Captain," said Burma, "is in connection with your old commanding officer. I understand he uses the name Rhade here in Seefra City."

"My XO," corrected Beka. "Rhade was my executive officer."

"Your executive officer then," said Burma. "I'm sure you've heard stories about the activities of the organization known as the Association."

Beka took a minute to search her memory. "A terrorist organization?" she asked.

"Exactly. The company has decided that their activities can no longer be tolerated and is preparing to move into south-side in force to remove the threat once and for all. The problem is that your old executive officer seems to feel that south-side is his own personal fiefdom and has informed the company that the company police are no longer welcome in south-side. Will he and his associates attempt to resist when the company moves on the Association and its supporters?"

"He'll fight," answered Beka. "And if he's had time to train his subordinates properly, you'll have not one, but two battles on your hand."

"That is unfortunate," said Burma. "I was hoping that he would be reasonable. But if he resists, that brings up another question. What sort of outside assistance will he have available. The medevac vessel that picked up the woman he is living with was quite unexpected."

"That was a one-time occurrence," said Beka.

"You're sure of this?" pressed Burma.

"Quite," said Beka. "He's worn out his welcome with what's left of our old organization."

"May I ask what organization that is?" asked Burma.

"You can ask, but I won't tell you," replied Beka. "Suffice it to say that what's left of it has no interest in interfering with your company's operations." Like Rhade, she had decided that the less the natives of the Seefra system knew about her origin, the better. After learning of Rhade's cover story, she had adopted it as her own as well.

Burma nodded his head approvingly. Beka couldn't tell if he was approving the fact she didn't tell him the name of her previous organization or the fact that her organization had no interest in company activities.

"One last question, Captain Valentine. If I have to move against your old executive officer, where will you stand?"

"I don't do lost causes," said Beka. "I was on the losing side of one. I have no intention of doing that again."

Burma got up from his chair and indicated that Beka should do the same. "Thank you, Captain Valentine. I appreciate you taking the time to answer my question. One other thing. When the company moves against the Association, we may be required to bring in some sensitive materials. Will your vessel be available to transport them?"

"Of course," answered Beka. "Provided the company makes it worth my while."