10
Titanian Hideout
Yerbuna had taken Alice back to the chai-hana, with its noise-cancellation systems. A gentle music carried in the air, interrupted only by the low hum of conversation and the clatter of eating. Men and women were seated about the edge of the room, and at least a couple had the posture and awareness of guards.
At a short table, the older women gestured for them to sit on the toshok. Alice reached out to take her cup and be polite, but Yerbuna held up a hand to stop her.
“It’s much too hot at the moment,” the old woman said. “Talk first, then drink.”
Intrepid gave her an amused glance, as if everyone should know that.
“Right,” Alice replied, leaning back so that she could rest her hands on the toshok. Sitting cross-legged like this for too long wasn’t her norm and i
