Ves, who still wore his Unending Regalia, sank down on a couch as a small storm raged in his mind.
He was in no mood to study and admire the clean and elegant decor of Calabast's office compartment. The abstract art, the visages of different alien landscapes and most curiously the tasteful statues of black cats did not catch his attention at all at the moment.
He was too preoccupied with wrapping his head around the huge scheme that Calabast had unveiled!
Her proposal to compete directly against one of the top mech designers of the Krakatoa Star Sector sounded so daring that Ves questioned whether this was still the calculating woman he knew!
While Ves remained in turmoil, Calabast looked as composed as ever. She even brought out a bottle of liquor and poured herself a drink.
"Would you like a glass?"
"No thanks. I don't feel like impairing my judgment right now. I need to maintain a clear mind."