the man at the door demanded, eyeing Zannah with suspicion. He was human, though his face and shaved head were covered with green and purple tattoos that made it difficult to pick out his features. He wore a light blue shirt and dark blue pants. He was shorter than Kel, but much thicker through the waist and chest.“She’s with me, Paak,” Kel replied, pushing him aside and passing through the door, pulling Zannah along with him.The unfurnished room beyond was small and dark. Music and loud laughter could be faintly heard from the cantina on the floor above them, but those gathered in the cellar spoke only in low, conspiratorial whispers. Inside the room were four others gathered in a tight circle: two more young men, a woman only slightly older than Zannah, and a blue-skinned, red-eyed Chiss female.Paak trailed after them, unwilling to let the matter drop. “You can’t bring her here!” he insisted.“She works at the embassy,” Kel assured him, relaying the false backstory Zannah had offered at their first meeting.
