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. Raoul was applying his lipstick with particular care--it was the poisoned variety. Xris watched a moment, turned away. He hoped to God it wouldn't come to that.
As for the Little One's disguise, Raoul had pinned commander's bars onto the fedora--with what intent or purpose Xris had no idea and knew better than to ask. He started to pull out a twist, decided against it, stashed the case in his pocket. He might be picked up on visual and he had to look the part.
"We're ready. Begin transmission."
Harry flipped a switch, activated the distress signal. He sat back, wiped his face again.
The response was immediate.
"Navy Four Four Lima Three, this is Zen Rengazi Naval Control. Do you receive me?"
Harry opened avid channel. "Zen Rengazi, this is Navy Lima Three. We are declaring an in-space emergency. We require landing clearance at your facility."
The female ensign whose face appeared on the screen didn't blink, didn't pause. "Navy Four Four Lima Three, you are not cleared for docking. Repeat: Do not dock. Proceed to the civilian facility at Veer Rengazi."
"Damn it, Zen Rengazi!" Harry banged his fist on the console. "Your own fuckin' censors should tell you that we can't survive a planetary landing! Our goddamn computer's malfunctioning and our goddamn shielding's clown and that includes our goddamn heat shields! Ma'am," he added belatedly.
Harry's anger and frustration weren't all play-acting
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