Page 153 of Red Scale Daddy
The drive pulse stabilizes across the projected model, the lag narrowing from catastrophic to tolerable. Heat distribution improves. The third pulse aligns closer to the expected interval. Around the deck, Reaper engineers lean toward their stations despite themselves.
Throgg watches the numbers rather than their faces.
“What is the cost?” he asks.
“Minimal efficiency loss under low-shear conditions. Increased stress on the emergency coolant routing during sustained pursuit. Manageable if your crew monitors it.”
He studies me. “And the hidden cost?”
I meet his gaze. “Supervision has made you suspicious.”
“Survival has made me thorough.”
“Then you should understand why I provide incremental solutions.”
He steps closer to the display. “You will implement this.”
“I will need tool access.”
“You will have supervised tool access.”
“I will need a fabrication unit.”
“You will have restricted fabrication.”
“I will need my ship.”
His expression cools. “No.”
“My ship contains unique hardware and design references. If you want me to improve your drive beyond temporary stabilization, I need access to my systems.”
“You would use that access to escape.”
“Yes.”
The honesty lands exactly where I intend.
Throgg laughs softly. “You admit it.”
“You already knew. Denial would insult both of us.”
“You are either very brave or very reckless.”
“I have been accused of both by better conversationalists.”
His eyes gleam. “The Vakutan.”
I refuse to look away.
“Yes.”
“He mattered.”
The answer arises but, and I trap it behind my teeth until it becomes something usable. “He was effective under pressure.”
“You reduce affection to utility.”
“You reduce people to assets. We are both tedious in our coping mechanisms.”
