"They are tallfolk, and any sixteen-year-old girl who isn't a docile married woman nor a lock-key virgin, they're gonner assume is a whore." She eyed Elaine sharply. "You know that better'n I do. Consider yourself on a ship where every single person thinks exactly like your grandfather."

Judith patted her fingers against her belt, considering Barbara's question. "It's small, and if these ones were firin' at 'em, they're armed. Likely six- or eight-gunner, can't be many. Which means it's probably a jumped-up smuggler that got cocky enough that the Empire decided to notice it. If we had the time I'd talk up the captain to get some solid information, but I don't suppose it matters much what they're wanted for, as far as we're concerned. It'll be a big crew for a small ship; smugglers tend to run man-heavy. I can put up the big sea-witch act and see if that calms 'em down, but assume they'll fight when they're boarded."

"And if they are married, it's not to sixteen year old boys." Lang replied. "I get to be the fake wife. I'm not going to do anything with him, especially not now." She looked back to Judith and nodded. "No wonder the captain just wanted us to board them first. And you'll get them in a half hour." She frowned, seeming to consider something. "Do you really think the ghost is gone?"

"The ghost never left the kitchen," Elaine pointed out. "And it got what it wanted. Starling can glam himself to look like a thirty-year-old tallfolk?" she offered but she kew she was grasping at straws. "I'm not going to do anything either; I just want to be able to keep them away."

Judith looked pained. "Can we please work out how we're all fake-related when we're not slated to be on a boarding party? Speaking of, Lang, you're second wave if it turns out we need a second wave."

She shot a bitter look back to where the Sintilla had been. "I suppose it did get what it wanted, and may it get much pleasure of it. I still gotter go back and salvage."

"At least Spider and Ashon won't acted spooked the entire," Lang started, until what Judith had said caught up with her. "Excuse me. Did I hear right? I'm second wave? As in you may not even need me? But why?" She asked, hurt.

"Because she needs you on the guns, duh," Elaine answered. "And right. I was sort of worried about Spider. What do I do when we get to the smugglers?"

"Because first wave I'm gonner see if we can shut this down without a fire-fight. Second wave I want shooters. You," she said to Elaine, "are not a wave. You are not even a ripple."

"Oh." Lang said mollified, and still managed to look guilty. "Right. Of course." She swallowed, smelled herself again, and then relaxed slightly. "And don't worry, Elaine, you can spend the extra time with your glammed forty-five year old husband."

Elaine scowled."I can make waves," she pointed out.

"Uh-uh. You're arms of last resort. Starling too. Likewise Spider." From above them came a shrill, ear-stinging whistle. Judith winced. "Either way, doesn't look like we have much more time to dicker," she said cheerfully. "Let's round up the away party."