Page 84 of Commander’s Mate

Tivid marked the refinery operation CONDITIONAL—ROUTE COMPATIBLE.

I looked at the screen.

“This cannot be charity forever.”

“No,” Degatu said.

“It cannot be vengeance.”

“No.”

“It cannot become another military hired by whoever pays most.”

“No.”

Pyrr folded his arms.

“What can it be?”

I thought of Harper’s conference room.

Open doors.

Food schedules.

Names only when ready.

A ship built for war learning how to carry frightened people without making them prisoners again.

“Useful,” I said.

Pyrr raised an eyebrow.

“To whom?”

“That is the question.”

Degatu looked at the contract list.

“We need a rule.”

“Several.”

Tivid opened a blank file.

I spoke.

“No contract that requires us to enforce slavery, forced labor, involuntary confinement, population punishment, or political disappearance.”

Tivid entered it.

“No contract that gives an outside client command authority over Farseek personnel.”

Entered.

“Civilian protection requirements written before acceptance.”

Entered.