Page 34 of Commander’s Mate

He paused.

“No.”

Scarlet made a noise.

Tivid’s eyes narrowed.

“What?”

“That pause was your species discovering bureaucracy.”

“I am familiar with bureaucracy.”

“Not good bureaucracy.”

I held up the slate.

“We need a map.”

“A map.”

“With green places they can go, red places they can’t, and who to ask if they need something.”

Tivid considered.

“That is reasonable.”

Scarlet looked betrayed.

“You agreed too quickly.”

“I am intelligent.”

“Debatable.”

He ignored her.

“Anything else?”

I looked at the room.

At blankets.

Ration bars.

People pretending not to listen.

“Yes.”

“What?”

“Who can say no to a medical procedure?”

Tivid’s expression sharpened.

“Everyone, unless immediate unconscious intervention is necessary to preserve life.”

“Who decides whether something is necessary?”