Ascension II: Tic-Tac-Tony’s

Half an hour later, he was sitting in a booth at Tic-Tac-Tony’s, listening to Doc Akin crunch his way through a patty made from something chitinous.

“You know what’s been buggin’ me most?” asked Yrtl, “How did she find out about that 10,000 cred fess-bill?”

“Easy,” replied Akin. “She was a Synod agent, keeping you under surveillance.”

"_What!?_” exclaimed Yrtl.

“How else could she know?” reasoned Akin.

“Maybe my fridge was lying to me…”

“But then how would _it_ know? Besides, fridges never lie.”

Yrtl had a horrible feeling the Doc was right.

Akin made a gesture and a noncon appeared, bearing a tray of small glasses.

“Drink this,” he suggested.

Feeling helpless, Yrtl did as instructed; it was like swallowing molten glass.

“What the hell _is_ this?” he choked.

“Like her,” Akin replied.

“What? Course I do – that’s why I care she’s gone.”

“No, lichuor,” he repeated, patiently. “Lichen liquor: fermented fungi, 148 proof. Trust me, you’ll find other things to care about after a couple more of these.”