Connie shook Senjen’s hand, then grasped it tightly when he made to move away and leaned in ever so slightly.

“Remember. Make sure you drop this off without raising suspicion.” Then she leaned out again and smiled.

“You’re free to go, gentlemen. Safe travels.” She released Senjen’s hand, and gave Light a casual salute.

Light shivered as he looked from the Human to down on the mezzanine floor. His suit could make out tiny holes all over the deck where tungsten bolts had pierced just minutes ago. He dragged his gaze out over the shop too. The only thing he could see was the droid by the door looking directly back at him.

“There’s just one thing I need to do, Senjen…Can I go see the owners of this shop?” He directed the last bit back to Connie. She pursed her lips then nodded.

“Make it quick.”

The QV floated down from the mezzanine and headed to outside the fitting rooms. The mother and daughter combination had been joined by a strapping young son huddled on the floor. He must have come out of the staff area when he heard the commotion. Two droids stood over them.

Light approached gingerly, aware all three of them were staring balefully at him for apparently causing so much trouble. He detached a small blob of gel from his suit about the mass of the access card they’d been given earlier. He then loaded two million credits onto it and flicked it over to them. The daughter hesitantly grabbed it up.

“For the damage. Sorry.” Light said bluntly, before scurrying away and out the front door as quickly as possible.

“Is it terrible that I feel relieved to be alive? That was strange, right? Those poor people…” He blabbed to Senjen as they fled down Tanguska Boulevard.

“I don’t know how we can lie to the VC. They find out everything eventually.”