Page 56 of Commander’s Mate

His forehead creased. “Medical may recommend nutrient supplementation.”

“Force her?”

“No.”

“What happens if she eats?”

“She is less hungry.”

I looked at the woman.

“That’s the whole deal.”

She studied me another long moment.

Then she took the tray back.

Not trust yet. Just breakfast, which was enough for the moment.

I counted it.

That conversation became six conversations before midday.

One woman would not sleep in a room with male guards outside it.

Another had hidden two water pouches because the slave ship had sometimes skipped distribution.

A young purple man kept asking which officer owned his work assignment.

A woman from a world whose name translated as Shaivar had started crying because the ship-issued underclothes were cut differently from anything she had ever worn and she thought she was expected to undress in front of a fitter.

Nora found three women who needed medication they were too afraid to request.

Zoe found two people so weak from captivity they could barely stand in food lines.

Scarlet found a door that opened into a maintenance passage and announced that our temporary shelter had terrible security if anyone dangerous ever got inside the protected section.

I stared at her.

“What?”

“You’re complaining that the rescue ship isn’t secure enough.”

“I contain multitudes.”

By afternoon, the table in conference room three was covered in slates.

The Farseek had given us one because I kept asking questions.

Then I asked for three more.

Then Tovan brought ten.

“What are you doing?” Zoe asked.

“I don’t know yet.”

“That seems organized.”