Even if he doesn't move from the controls, she watches the posturing change right before her eyes after he looks at her. Life as a soldier, since before memory, and generally from conception back and back and back, it's hardly the first or even hundredth time she's watched it happen.

He doesn't defend or apologize, and she doesn't shift. Not to call anyone, to step close or to step away. It makes her think of a standoff, but one that doesn't involve firearms. She always liked those ones better. But even though she has her pulse pistol, her hand isn't on it. This isn't that.

Evenly, she asked, "What are you doing?"