Summary

Caillan's life as a dreg has given him some very useful life skills that he can apply to his new career. As a security expert he can spot holes that you can drive a bomb-laden shuttlecraft through. As a gem appraiser he can tell how much the rings on fat politician's finger cost while said politico is begging for more money for his starving people. As a free-trader, he know where planetary armadas are, as well as pirate corridors, relief vessels, and the fair price of goods. And his negotiating skills and exposure to the seamier side of life makes him resistant to the Qillaq negotiating technique, much to the frustration of the Qillaq queen. What is the Qillaq negotiating technique? Well, it involves a hot woman, the raciest lingerie you can imagine, while lounging in such a way that most males are standing at attention, and most females are disgusted at how the guys are slaves to testosterone. Cai on the other hand, looked at the negotiator and thought 'I've seen hotter, younger women more naked.' though he did note that if the cute bodyguard had been 'dressed' like that his mind would have been elsewhere.