he who hesitates is toast

"Oh?" she asks, lightly, sipping at her champagne. Kwan hasn't given any sign that he recognizes either her or Steve, but the whisper in her ear makes it all too clear that they'd made the right call by keeping the Wakandans out of the field on this one.

"Yes," says Kwan. "Tell me, Ms. Kruhl, have you ever been to Madripoor?"

All of this polite camaraderie will fade in an instant if she beats his bid, but for the moment she plays along. "Several years ago," she tells him. "I remember enjoying the nightlife."

He smiles, satisfied. "If you're looking to do business in this sector," he tells her, "there are some people there who you should meet."