Redshirts Read Free Page A

hands together. “So, I’ll be right back. Keep this chair for me?”
    “You got it,” Dahl said. Hanson wandered off in search of food and drink.
    “He seems nice,” Duvall said.
    “He is,” Dahl said.
    “Not hugely full of personality,” Duvall said.
    “He has other qualities,” Dahl said.
    “Like paying for drinks,” Duvall said.
    “Well, yes, but that’s not what I was thinking of,” Dahl said.
    “You mind if I ask you a personal question?” Duvall said.
    “Seeing as we’ve already covered my sexual preferences in this conversation, no,” Dahl said.
    “Were you friends with Jimmy before you knew his dad could buy an entire planet or two?” Duvall asked.
    Dahl paused a moment before answering. “Do you know how the rich are different than you or me?” he asked Duvall.
    “You mean, besides having more money,” Duvall said.
    “Yeah,” Dahl said.
    “No,” Duvall said.
    “What makes them different—the smart ones, anyway—is that they have a very good sense of why people want to be near them. Whether it’s because they want to be friends, which is not about proximity to money and access and power, or if they want to be part of an entourage, which is. Make sense?”
    “Sure,” Duvall said.
    “Okay,” Dahl said. “So, here’s the thing. When Jimmy was young, he figured out that his father was one of the richest men in the Dub U. Then he figured out that one day, he would be too. Then he figured out that there were a lot of other people who would try to use the first two things to their own advantage. Then he figured out how to avoid those people.”
    “Got it,” Duvall said. “Jimmy would know if you were just being nice to him because of who his daddy was.”
    “It was really interesting watching him our first few weeks at the Academy,” Dahl said. “Some of the cadets—and some of our instructors—tried to make themselves his friend. I think they were surprised how quickly this rich kid had their number. He’s had enough time to be extraordinarily good at reading people. He has to be.”
    “So how did you approach him?” Duvall said.
    “I didn’t,” Dahl said. “He came over and started talking to me. I think he realized I didn’t care who his dad was.”
    “Everybody loves you,” Duvall said.
    “Well, that, and I was getting an A in the biology course he was having trouble with,” Dahl said. “Just because Jimmy’s picky about his companions doesn’t mean he’s not self-interested.”
    “He seemed to be willing to consider me a friend,” Duvall said.
    “That’s because he thinks we’re friends, and he trusts my judgment,” Dahl said.
    “And are we?” Duvall said. “Friends, I mean.”
    “You’re a little more hyper than I normally like,” Dahl said.
    “Yeah, I get that ‘I like things restful’ vibe from you,” Duvall said.
    “I take it you don’t do restful,” Dahl said.
    “I sleep from time to time,” Duvall said. “Otherwise, no.”
    “I suppose I’ll have to adjust,” Dahl said.
    “I suppose you will,” Duvall said.
    “I have drinks,” Hanson said, coming up behind Duvall.
    “Why, Jimmy,” Duvall said. “That makes you my new favorite person.”
    “Excellent,” Hanson said, offered Duvall her drink, and sat down at the table. “So, what are we talking about?”
    *   *   *
    Just before the shuttle arrived, two more people arrived at the waiting area. More accurately, five people arrived: two crewmen, accompanied by three members of the military police. Duvall nudged Dahl and Hanson, who looked over. One of the crewmen noticed and cocked an eyebrow. “Yes, I have an entourage,” he said.
    Duvall ignored him and addressed one of the MPs. “What’s his story?”
    The MP motioned to the one with a cocked eyebrow. “Various charges for this one, including smuggling, selling contraband and assaulting a superior officer.” She then motioned to the other crewman, who was standing there sullenly, avoiding eye contact with