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“Atlas did take her from her quarters,” I say “I wouldn’t be able to use a bed either Have you told anyone about your orders?”

“No, sir I know you told Imperator Harnassus she passed her psych evaluation Quiet’s the game”

“Good Good Has she spotted you?”

“Did you spot ra like the medici ordered, sir?”

I frown “Window?”

“Topiaries”

I rubold”

“Or I’ quieter”

I suppose it was only aup I consider how young she looks, and how old I must be in her eyes “Did you know I’m older than my father hen he died? Still think of hie, I reckon”

She glances down the corridor and chews her lip

“Permission to speak like we’re blood, sir”

“Don’t likemortality?” She waits for my answer “Granted”

“I didn’t get you until we came back here You were dead to us till I was near on nine Everyone ran their gobs about you in Tinos But I didn’t get it I didn’t get that” She points at the slingBlade asleep like a pale snake around my arm “You were just my uncle Then we came doith Orion And I could see it Every bloody soul aiting to give Mercury their carbon Then they saw you jump out this ship” The hairs on her forearms stand on end at the memory “You ain’t old You just need to let others haul their freight Even the Reaper needs sleep, sir Especially if he’s gonna get us all home”

She still believes I can work miracles But my exhaustion isn’tup with ht I carry How ions really are How tactically sophisticated even the most basic Gray infantry centurion of the enemy is compared with ours, not to mention their Golds We just don’t have the same distribution of brainpower Or firepower

“Thank you for the concern, lancer But I’d caution you against spying on ain” I move toward the door