Page 313 of Commander’s Mate

“I’m not military.”

“No.”

“I don’t want rank.”

“Then do not take rank.”

“I don’t know your laws.”

“You know the charter better than half my officers.”

“That is not reassuring.”

He sat in one of the chairs.

I remained standing because apparently we enjoyed reversing roles.

“What do you want?” he asked.

The question was familiar.

The office scene.

His office.

The open door.

My choice.

Now he sat in mine.

Something inside me settled.

“I want the registry independent enough that command can’t erase someone because a politician asks.”

“Yes.”

“I want medical privacy separated.”

“Yes.”

“I want rescued people to control family contact unless there’s a real emergency.”

“Yes.”

“I want every mission plan to include intake capacity before we launch.”

His eyebrows rose.

“That is tactical authority.”

“No. It’s veto authority over stupidity.”

“More dangerous.”

“I’m serious.”

“So am I.”