1:11

One truth is quite enough. You wouldn’t want it to become a habit. You’ve got a reputation to maintain.

They shake you down before you’re even off the boarding ramp, but you’re expecting it. A job like this, you budget for bribes, and it’s still less than you’d spend on fuel taking the long way round. You pay them what they want and you try not to look too dangerous.

You’re glad you’ve got your knuckles. Your little metal comfort blankets.

Kaliff handles all the actual bargaining. He knows people, and they know people. You let it wash over you as you follow him through…