Lincoln shook her head. “This sounds like a conversation that requires serious lubrication.” She waved at Nanteer. “A bottle of House TopLine please. Thanks.”
House TopLine was the most expensive and sought-after wine in the combined systems. It was produced in limited batches for export by a dozen estates on Pradndor. Most of the wine was held locally and used to bargain for major diplomatic concessions. Lincoln’s smile was dark, dangerous. “Fear not. I won’t ask you to split the bill. It’s from my private stock housed here.”
When Nanteer returned with a blue-green crystal bottle and two matching crystal glasses, I merely sipped in silence. The reputation of the wine wasn’t exaggerated, and I refused to consider what Lincoln had done to acquire it.
“You know the Breeding Stations?” I a
