At the Missing Shekel, Shikouju is to meet with a lizard (Shiga) by the name of Susudo, about a job. Instead, he is met by a Savanite slave whose slave-name is Staccato, and who explains (via written notes) that she has been sent to meet with the legendary assassin instead. The job involves dealing with an "insurrectionist", and – to Shikouju's surprise – the slave is to act as his assistant. Shikouju is most reluctant to agree to this, but seems to be quite taken by the spotted feline … and is more alarmed when he realizes that, for some reason, he can understand her Savanite hand sign. When the cheetah leaves, Shikouju has much to think about.