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“Only when the patient is annoying.”

His three clenched hands loosened slightly. “Then I am comforted.”

Kesta was beginning the first deep suture when the light shifted behind her.

She knew who had entered before looking up.

That was becoming annoying too.

Dreven stood just outside the treatment curtain carrying a rectangular metal case beneath one arm. He had clearly been working rather than attending council meetings. Dust streaked the lower half of his armor, and a smear of dark grease ran along his jaw near the base of one horn.

He remained beyond the curtain.

Kesta noticed.

“Either come in or stop blocking the light.”

The corner of his mouth moved as he ducked beneath the hanging lamp and stepped inside.

Rell’s eyes widened.

“Commander.”

Dreven set the case against the wall rather than on Kesta’s treatment surface. “You were assigned to the eastern condenser when the line failed?”

Rell’s upper shoulders tightened.

Kesta felt it beneath the hand she had braced against his forearm.

She looked at Dreven.

He saw the warning in her face before she spoke.

“This is still my treatment room.”

His expression shifted toward mild irritation. “I remember.”

“Good.”

Dreven looked back at Rell, but when he spoke again, the hard edge of command had eased. “I need the maintenance sequence. Nothing else until she finishes.”

Rell glanced toward Kesta.

She nodded.

“Who accessed the pressure regulator during the week before failure?” Dreven asked.

Rell began listing mechanics, shift supervisors and traders who had delivered replacement parts. Kesta continued suturing while she listened, and by the time she tied the second knot, one name had appeared twice.

“Daro,” she said.

Rell turned his head slightly.

“The Red Basin trader?”

“Yes.”

Dreven’s eyes narrowed. “He did not have maintenance clearance.”