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edible seeds.
    “I hope you don’t plan to count every single grain in here.” I lean in the doorway, hoping there’s no residual annoyance at the three amigo-troids left in my tone. Jeffers shouldn’t have to pay for the sins of others.
    He turns around and offers me a warm smile. “I’m known for my attention to detail, but not that much.” He pauses in the middle of putting a canister back on the shelf. “Are you all right?” Turning more fully, he faces me, putting the electronic minder holding his inventory checklist on a table at his side.
    “I’m fine. Just had to veto a certain weapon from being mounted on our exterior, which disappointed some people.”
    Jeffers gives me an understanding grin. “The twins. They do love their firepower.”
    “Not just them; Baebong too. Do you know what they had planned in there?”
    “I’m afraid to ask.”
    I shake my head. “Don’t bother. It’s not gonna happen.” I gesture with my chin at the shelves behind him. “How’s it going in here?”
    “Well enough. I should be done by day’s end.”
    “Good.” I stare at the floor for a few seconds, trying to get him to ease up. He’s too alert for my next moves, for my plans to get inside his head. “So, are you happy here?” I look up to see him shrug.
    “Yes, I am.”
    “And you were happy with Langlade as captain?”
    “I suppose I was, yes.”
    “Where were you before you were here with him?”
    “On another ship.”
    “What ship?”
    “It was a cargo ship. Not one you’ve probably heard of. Worked in the outer reaches.”
    I give him a tight smile. “You’d be surprised. Try me.” Part of my training was to memorize any and all ships that might be of interest to the OSG, and they were often planning troop and supply runs. Cargo ships are always on the list of assets to be commandeered in an emergency.
    “CS Castaneda.”
    I nod. “I’ve heard of it. Captained by C.R. Cooksey.”
    If I’m not mistaken, Jeffers’ complexion has gone a little pale. “Oh. So you know him.”
    “Not well.” I take my knife out and use the tip of it to clean a fingernail. With my peripheral vision, I see Jeffers spread his legs just the tiniest bit. Yeah. He’s definitely battle ready.
    I slide my knife back into its holster and smile at Jeffers. “You’ve got secrets, old man.”
    “We all have secrets. Even you, young lady.”
    I laugh. “Nice. Put me in my place. Well done.” I stop leaning on the doorway and distribute my weight equally across both feet. “I need to know that I can trust the people around me.”
    “You can trust me, Cass. I promise.” He lowers his head, but keeps his eyes on me. It’s a sign he doesn’t trust me at the same time he’s telling me to believe him. It’s not very inspiring.
    “So said every double-dealing snake I’ve ever known. Tell me who you really are and where you really come from, and then maybe I’ll let you stay.”
    He looks around. “Where else would I go?”
    I shrug. “Off my boat. After that, it’s none of my concern.” I’d hate to lose him because he’s obviously well-respected here and has knowledge and skills we could use, but if I have to constantly worry about him one day using his battle training against me, it won’t be worth it to keep him on the crew. I can’t live a peaceful life if I’m jumping at every shadow.
    He stands there staring at me for the longest time. I’m starting to think he’s gone catatonic when he finally speaks.
    “I have worked for a long time to leave my past behind me.”
    “And I respect that. But in my experience, a person’s past often comes back to bite him in the ass if left solely in the six o’clock position.”
    He bows his head for a second before looking at me again. “I hear what you are saying, and I respect that as well. But my past is much farther behind than yours is, and that is where it needs to stay.”
    Inside I’m regretting his potential future loss, but outside it won’t