He mocked me as “just support staff,” dismissing my role as insignificant, until the moment the truth surfaced—that my actions had been the unseen force keeping his entire team alive all along.

“Heard you had a run-in with Reeves,” he said casually, though his eyes were sharper than his tone.

“Nothing worth noting,” I replied, not looking up.

He didn’t buy that, but he didn’t push it either. Instead, he leaned against one of the shelves, watching me work in a way that suggested he was trying to figure something out.

“You don’t move like a supply sergeant,” he said after a moment.

That made me pause, just briefly. “There’s a manual for that?” I asked, keeping my tone neutral.