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of something clear.
    “ Did this get reported?” Hugo said.
    “ Hugo,” Webb warned.
    Jaeger eyed Hugo keenly. “Who's this, then?”
    Webb took a deep breath. “Jaeger, Meet the Zero 's new captain.”
    “ Looks like Service scum to me.”
    Hugo riled and stood.
    “Hugo, sit down ,” Webb barked.
    Hugo held the big man's calm, dark gaze for a moment longer then sat himself down. Webb looked a bit pale.
    “Look Jaeger. We didn't...”
    Jaeger snorted again then held a glass out to both Webb and Hugo. “Relax, boy,” he said. “I got a pounding headache. Don't feel like picking a fight with ex-Service types today. Now drink.” He held up his glass. “ Prost .”
    Hugo watched as Webb and Jaeger downed the clear liquid in one swallow. Hugo sniffed his and blinked as his eyes started to water. He felt Jaeger's gaze on him and followed suit. He coughed, fire burning down his throat.
    “Atta boy,” Jaeger said, refilling the glasses. “Oh, I forgot. Webb, someone came by looking for you a while back.”
    Webb paused with his glass part way to his mouth. “Oh?”
    “ Ja ,” Jaeger said. He drained his glass, wiped his mouth on his sleeve and peered at Webb. “Short fucker. No hair. Odd-looking.”
    “ Ain't ringing any bells,” Webb said, just as the girl reappeared and put two bowls of a rich-smelling stew down in front of them.
    “ He didn't find you?”
    Webb shrugged and turned his attention to his food. The thick scent was enough to make Hugo's stomach clench and he picked up his fork and began to eat. Hugo had to admit it was good, heavily seasoned, and had sizeable chunks of meat.
    “Real beef?” Hugo asked, looking at Jaeger again who was pouring himself another glass from the bottle.
    Jaeger smiled. “You wanting to see my license, Service-boy?”
    “ Listen, Jaeger,” Webb cut in. “Have you seen Harvey lately?”
    Jaeger held the glass against his forehead, frowning. “Harvey?”
    “ Yeah,” Webb said, chewing. “Marilyn Harvey. Haven spacer. Pilots the Phoenix ?”
    Jaeger put the glass down, still frowning. “I remember. No, not for some time. I think I remember hearing she got herself in some shit.”
    Webb paused, fork halfway to his mouth. “Yeah?”
    Jaeger shrugged, cleared away the glasses. “That's what I heard.”
    “ Deep shit?”
    “ Is there any other kind?”
    Webb blinked slowly. “What exactly did you hear?”
    “ It was a while ago. Something to do with the Splinters. I don't know what. If she's got any sense she's gone to ground.”
    Webb took another mouthful and frowned into his bowl.
    “How'd you like it, Captain?” Jaeger said.
    Hugo swallowed his mouthful. “It's good,” he said.
    Jaeger grinned. “That's what real meat does for you. Now, is that it? I know I owe you, Webb, but I've got rather a lot to get done.”
    “ Nothing else, Jaeger,” Webb said, scraping the last of his food from his bowl. “Just thought the new captain might want to see a true Tranquillity hotspot.”
    “ You're a cheeky bastard,” Jaeger said. Hugo didn't think it sounded like he was entirely joking. “You wanna be careful. One of these days your mouth's gonna get you a bullet in the back.”
    Webb held the large man's gaze whilst he swallowed the last of the stew. “You're one to talk,” he said, face splitting into a nasty grin.
    Jaeger tensed. Hugo stopped himself reaching for his gun with an effort. Webb just sat there, grinning, not breaking eye contact.
    Finally Jaeger laughed, clapped Webb on the shoulder. “You little shit. Get the hell out of here. I've got a bar to rebuild.”
    “ See you around, Jaeger,” Webb said, standing.
    “ Not too bloody soon, I hope,” Jaeger replied, turning and heading back toward the kitchens. “Oh,” he said, turning. “What you want me to say to your bald friend if he comes back?”
    Webb shrugged. “Some variation of fuck off?”
    Jaeger smirked. “I'll think of something.”
    “ Come on, Captain,” Webb mumbled,