Page 243 of Commander’s Mate

One orbiting security platform.

A Sargus carrier scheduled to arrive within twenty hours.

We had sixteen.

The briefing room filled.

Ground officers.

Pilots.

Medical command.

Tivid.

Harper.

Scarlet.

Nora.

Zoe.

I looked at the Earth women.

“Why are all four of you here?”

Scarlet answered.

“Because we’re useful.”

“That was not an invitation to elaborate.”

“Too bad.”

Harper stepped in before I could decide whether to remove Scarlet bodily.

“The registry identified forty-seven rescued people with mining, engineering, medical, transport, or heavy-equipment experience. Eleven have direct experience with Breskaa-class industrial systems.”

Tivid nodded.

“She is correct.”

“Of course she is.”

Harper ignored the tone.

“Nora is coordinating medical intake.”

Nora said, “We are expecting crush injuries, respiratory damage, malnutrition, chemical exposure, and untreated infection.”

“Zoe?”

“Recovery mobility. People coming out of mines may not be able to stand in line for intake.”

“Scarlet?”

Scarlet smiled.