Snippet #1662380

"You're right," said Kes, in his soft lilt. "Hopefully just a routine tail, though, look you. Maybe something a bit more to worry about." He itched to turn back, or move across to look in the rearview mirror, but all that would do was to alert the vehicle following that it was being discussed. And, really, there was no need. He'd already registered the vehicle, a minute or so before. It was not an official Alliance vehicle - he knew them well, with their distinctive Mandarin and English amrkings - but he wasn't fooled. "If you pull a right here, it leads down into the old quarter of the city. Lots of twisty little streets and alleys. If we can't lose 'em there, we can't do it anywhere, boyo."

He pulled a small flask from an inner pocket, took a sip, then handed it back to Ranth. "Let's all look casual, eh?" he mouthed to Jack. "Just a few sailors out on the town, look you. No point 'em knowing we've seen."