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"Let’s make it worse," she says promptly "Read to me from your book, and I’ll look rapt And you could order lance down at the book I plucked off the shelf Mass Casualty: A History of Failed Ca inwardly "Perhaps the drink I’ve been away frohts for a while, so I’ about bloody death’s not the best way to charne, then" She continues, as I raise a hand to signal one of the hover trays "You say ‘bright lights’ with a hint of disdain, Major I’hts Do you fault " The words somehow bypass my brain entirely Mutiny
She drops her eyes for the co "You say you’ve been away fro you away It can’t have been all that long"
"We’re very civilized out on the frontier," I say, pretending offense "Every so often we take a break fro bullets and issue dance invitations My old drill sergeant used to say that nothing teaches you the quickstep like the ground giving way beneath your feet"
"I suppose so," she agrees as a full tray co toward us in response to ne and raises it in half a toast to me before she sips "Can you tell h she doesn’t know
I reach for the other glass and send the tray huain "Merendsen" Even if it’s a pretense, it’s nice to talk to so for a picture withat nize me from all the newspapers and holovids
"Major Merendsen" She tries it out, leaning on the m’s, then nods her approval The name passes muster, at least for now
"I’ Which one of thehtest light of all Of course "Though I spend more time on ships like this than planetside I’m most at home here on the Icarus"
"Even you er than any city I’ve been to"
"She’s the biggest,"with the steh she hides it well, there’s a flicker through her features Talking about the shipabout the weather
C’ decks are the best I’ve seen I’ht, but the view out here is so else"
She meets my eyes for half a breath--then her lips quirk to the tiniest of sh, this trip Perhaps we--" But then she cuts herself short, glancing toward the door
I’d forgotten ere in a crowded room But the moing back There’s a girl with reddish-blond hair--a relative, I’ upon e in tow
"Lil, there you are," she says, scolding, and holding out her hand in a clear invitation No surprise, I’e swirls into place behind her
"Anna," says my companion, who now has a name Lil "May I present Major Merendsen?"
"Charmed" Anna’s voice is dismissive, and I reach for my book and my drink I know my cue