Page 318 of Commander’s Mate

She smiled.

Then stopped when she saw the requests.

The first concerned twenty-three rescued miners with respiratory damage who needed continued treatment aboard Dreadnought One.

The second concerned fourteen children whose families wanted transfer to Dreadnought Eight because relatives were already there.

Transport had room for one group before the ships separated for the repair-complex operation.

Not both.

“Why can’t medical cases go to Eight?” I asked.

“Eight’s filtration system is still damaged.”

“Why can’t the families stay here?”

“They can,” Nora said. “But three of the children haven’t seen their relatives since Farseek. One is barely speaking. Family reunification would help.”

I looked at the numbers.

Two legitimate needs.

One shuttle.

No villain.

I hated this more than easy problems.

“Can we split the shuttle?”

Nora shook her head.

“Medical equipment takes the cargo volume.”

“Another run?”

“Not before the ships separate.”

I rubbed my eyes.

“What would you do?”

“I am medical. I prioritize the respiratory cases.”

“Of course you do.”

“And family services will prioritize the children.”

“Of course they will.”

“Now you understand why the job exists.”

I glared at her.

She smiled again.

I called transport.