Mark pilots them to Fell Station, requests and receives permission to dock, and requests a private meeting with Baron Fell.

This involves talking his way up a chain of increasingly prestigious flunkies. Finally he reaches one who just makes noncommittal noises instead of passing him up the chain.

"Look," he says, "I know at this point I'm supposed to offer you a bribe to demonstrate the magnitude of my consequence, but frankly I can't be bothered with such trivialities. Tell Baron Fell I have an offer he wants to hear, and I will discuss it with him privately or not at all."

"...I will pass on your message," says the over-underling.

"Thank you," says Mark, with a razor smile. The baron's man flinches. Mark ends the call and goes to see how the fake lab is coming along.