Benny has been sent by Braxiatel to negotiate access to the Ganesh system with the secretive COMBINE corporation on the Exhalation. She meets with the CEO, known only as "the Lady"; also in attendance is security consultant Ui Tereshkova, who has pale skin and pink eyes. Benny's first meeting doesn't go very well. The place gives her a headache, and the Lady doesn't seem very cooperative. Later, Benny is in the bar. She is joined by Tereshkova, who warns Benny not to go back to her room tonight.