Page 312 of Commander’s Mate

“This is a department.”

“Yes.”

“I did not agree to run a department.”

“You have been running it for days.”

“That is different.”

“How?”

“No one told me.”

Tivid considered.

“That is not a meaningful operational distinction.”

“It is emotionally meaningful.”

The door opened.

Zared entered.

“Problem?”

“Yes.”

“No,” Tivid said.

I pointed at him.

“Traitor.”

“I serve command.”

Zared looked at the staffing display.

Then at me.

“You need more people.”

“Do not join his side.”

“I am on the side of functioning systems.”

“You’re both terrible.”

Zared’s mouth curved.

Tivid left.

Coward.

I walked around the desk.

“Registry command.”

“Yes.”