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“Lieutenant, look at me”

“Sir?” Kasik said, turning around

“What we’re doing here is important Not just for Laconia but for all of humanity These people? They need us They even need us to show them that they need us When you have children, you’ll understand why that matters Until then, you will behave at all times as an example of Laconian character and discipline If you don’t understand why that’s critical, you will act as though you understand, or I will place you in charge of personally scrubbing the water-recycling systerade potables Are we clear?”

If there was a flicker of resentment in the man’s eyes, it was a natural reaction to discipline

“Crystal, Governor Singh”

“Excellent Then send their former head of security in”

Onni Langstiver was a lanky Belter type in a sloppy Medina Security unifor his lip He looked over Singh’s Marine guards just inside the door, then gave Singh hi that he alain

“I’?”

“We’re going to discuss your change in status on this station,” Singh said

“Discuss? Bist bien Let’s discuss” Onni shrugged, then walked toward the guest chair

“Do not sit,” Singh said Soht Onni up short, and thehi”

Onni shrugged again, a short lift of both hands that did not involve the shoulders The psy-ops briefing on Belter culture had talked about this That estures had evolved to use the hands only, because they spent so e was invisible It also talked about their cultural conviction that they were the put-upon victims in all interactions with non-Belters Well, if this Onni had coe him

“You are no longer the head of security on Medina Station,” Singh said

“Who’s the new boss?” Onni replied He wasn’t angry, which was interesting

“It doesn’t er work for station security In fact, you no longer hold any official duties of any kind on this station The last official task you will perform is to hand over all personal files related to this station that are not in the official database Failure to do this will result in arrest and prosecution by a military tribunal of the Laconian Navy”