Captain Blitner is sitting behind his desk, reading a book. He already set up the workstations, so I just need to login. He looks up and starts to smile, but sees Orcher and frowns.

“Is there something wrong?”

“Everything’s fine, Lawrence,” Orcher assures him. “I thought I’d join you two today. Give you a break. I insist,” he adds when Captain Blitner starts to object.

Captain Blitner folds a page down in the book and sets it aside, then rubs the back of his wrist with one hand and frowns thoughtfully.

“I suppose we could.”

Orcher pulls two seats to the desk. I sit and drop my eyes to the back of the picture propped up on Captain Blitner’s desk, the picture of him, Father, and Orcher. I can’t help but think that I have to fill Father’s absence.

Orcher drags Captain Blitner’s book toward him, tilting his head to inspect the cover. “‘White Soils.’”

“A history of the Yillosian Empire during the Prime Expansion Period.”

“Ah.”

Captain Blitner takes the book back and flips it over. His eyes skim the back cover, which I realize is an early map of occupied planets.

“It was a strange time in our history,” Captain Blitner says, speaking directly to me. “Lasted all of ninety years before giving way to misconceptions—valid misconceptions, but it proved you can’t expect everyone to adhere to a single system, even one with peaceful intentions.”

Captain Blitner’s voice starts to scratch, so he pauses to take a drink of water.

“I can’t imagine Daliona and the other early colonies would have ever grown to the majestic powers they are now if they hadn’t been given room to grow. You should see those planets, Arman. Dalish civilization flourished like you would never believe. I prefer Belvun, however. I don’t particularly like the noise of Daliona’s larger cities, but I could always call the Belvish mountains my home. It’s a shame Undil claimed me.”

Orcher chuckles. “Yet we’re fortunate it did. This fleet would’ve been a mess without you.”

“Still, I will always wish it.”

Captain Blitner rubs his eyes, frowning. Then he seems to remember something and wags a finger at me.

“If you have any time to spare, I’d like you to meet my friend, Barimus. He owns a nice café in the Belvish Embassy—”

“Meekman’s,” Orcher tells me.

“That’s the one,” Captain Blitner agrees. He sips some more water. “Barimus makes all his drinks and pastries by hand. Doesn’t pass for scraps, that man.”

“Can’t miss the place, either. Not with Bari hollering out the door all day.” Orcher grins and shifts in his seat. “He’s as loud as anyone from Holistead.”

“But he’s a good man,” Captain Blitner adds, nodding affirmatively.

“That he is.”