Page 76 of Carousel

“Article One,” I say, thinking out loud. “Under On Conduct.”

“What about it?”

“I thought it was strange when it said Captain’s orders are final.”

He stares. “Well, they are.”

“But what if they’re wrong?”

“They’re not.” He shrugs. “Dezeeves is pretty fair, anyway. He actually rarely issues any orders – to us, at least. Ephraine is the one you have to worry about, although I’m sure you got that by now. He sends people to the brig like he thinks our jobs can do themselves.”

I chew my lip.

“Article Nine,” I say suddenly. “In the same chapter.”

He smirks. “Sorry. Am I testing you, or are you testing me?”

“Do you know it?” I ask, steadily.

“Is it the one about always carrying your radio and pocket watch? That’s the bane of my life, too.”

“No,” I say. “It’s about maintaining your own health while on board the ship.”

His face drops.

“Ara,” he says, understanding.

I try to quote it from memory. I’d read it many times yesterday because it stood out to me.

“No crew member shall risk falling into poor health. The list is inclusive of but not limited to: Not carrying out hygiene practices as laid out in On Hygiene and Wellbeing; not partaking in physical exercise in the Training Room or Drill Hall for at least sixty minutes a day; not drinking the water provided with mealtimes and available on request; not drinking to excess at social functions…”

I trail off.

I know what I’m about to say.

He knows what I’m about to say.

“And,” I continue, watching carefully for his reaction, “Not denying oneself sustenance.”

His voice lifts as he states, “I’m not denying myself food, Ara. I’m just not allowed to eat it. I told you that.”

I know Riss said she would tell me, at some point. But it was worth a shot. I so wanted to hear it from Cosmer himself.

Swinging my feet under the bench, I say, “I wish you’d tell me why. I find it so strange. And Riss said it’s not a punishment.”

“It’s not a punishment. And I’m not going to tell you.”

I consider pushing him harder – but Riss and Drake arrive at that moment with their own bowls.

“What are we talking about?” Riss asks.

“The Accords,” Cosmer replies quickly.

“Good. We’ll be able to tick that one off Custom in the Four Components soon. And I think we’re making great progress in the others, too. I’ve put in the Culture section all about the Captain’s Dinner. Did you?”

“Sure,” Cosmer says, in a way that makes me think he hasn’t.

She goes on like a gust of wind. “And they did a full day of duties, so that’s all part of Calling. They still haven’t had Correction, though.”