Michaela pursed her lips. Let the thought run around in her head. Granted, she’d only spent a half day with the Supervisor, mostly in a debriefing about the situation on Ashanti, discussion about the Unreconciled, and planning for the Maritime Unit’s disposition and placement. The meeting had been focused on who, what, and how. Michaela had done most of the talking; Supervisor Aguila had listened, offering only occasional questions, asking for clarification. Pretty much a nuts-and-bolts meeting. Hardly a social situation, and the scars and pistol had been a distraction the entire time. Shin had a point there.

She said, “I don’t know what to think. Never met a Board Supervisor before I met Aguila. She comes across as a tough woman, has from that first communication from Ashanti’s AC. But you’re right. Watching her being blown around the landing pad didn’t inspire confidence. Her reputation is as a really tough and hard-bitten leader. As to the pistol? I heard that she’s shot people who didn’t measure up to her standards. That said, her crew at Corporate Mine worships her. The people in Port Authority respect the hell out of her.”

“Maybe they’ve been left out here for so long they’ve forgotten what it means to be a Board Supervisor? When she came through that access just now, she looked like something tossed out the back door of a Hong Kong bar.”

Michaela bit off a reply before she could agree. Made herself say, “Don’t rush to judgement, Shin. It’s a whole new world and a new set of rules. My advice, and what I want you to share with the others? Let’s keep an open mind until we have a better feel for the woman.”

Shin, cocked an eyebrow, his longtime way of saying, “All right, but I’ll wait to be convinced.”

She grinned, slapped him on the shoulder, and said, “Go get Bill Martin to make the Supervisor a cup of tea. I’m going to go in and make sure she’s got everything she needs. All she has is that one bag.”

“Got it. While I’m at it, everyone’s in the cafeteria so I’ll get a feel for the general mood. See if the great Supervisor Aguila with all of her tales of monsters under the bed has them trembling in awe.”

“Shin? Whatever else she is, or thinks she is, the woman is still a Corporate Board Supervisor. Make sure the rest of the team greets her accordingly.” She watched him go. Wondered what she’d do without him and turned for the locker room door. Pushing it open, she stepped inside and stopped short, gaping. Kalico Aguila had just pulled off her black suit and was fingering the hole in the knee.