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“E a hand He’s spotted ht to hide behind Figures I don’t alter ets the e

’Course, this being Sanjurel, he doesn’t get the e The olderwith eagerness “Good to see you, son Been forever since you’ve shown your head around these parts”

“Yep,” I say quietly, continuing into the station, htly in my sweaty hand I don’t want hi ask, old man—

“So what brings you down to Cassa’s little spaceport today?” he asks, all eagerness “Getting some new stock in? Shipment from home? What?”

I gritto say that won’t bring too ossip my way If I say stock, he’ll want to knohat strain of seed or breed of meat-stock and if we can crossbreed it with local stock, and that will end up being a long conversation I won’t be able to get out of Talking about home is out, too, because then he’ll want to tellet in and get out quickly “Visitor,” I say finally

His eyes light up and I realize that was the wrong thing to say

Kef it all Now the whole planet’s gonna know that I’ home a bride

It’s so about Not because I’, and I’et away fro it all back to me I like my silence I liketo wake up in a barracks cra to the facilities at the sa your air, talking all at once and interrupting your peace

I’m not lonely for company, that’s for sure

Well…okay, I ht be a little lonely for a particular kind of co a bride, after all I keep shuffling forward, wishing that my limp would let me move faster Sanjurel h to pass hier to hear more

Gonna have a field day when he hears I’ve got a bride co Her name’s Shiarii and she’s mesakkah Forty-five years old Fit NeverUnderstands that e priority