"If I don't deliver it, the Spire cuts our rations," Elias snapped. "They'll send another runner. And they'll send a cleanup crew for us."

"It’s a kill order, Elias. I saw the flash-code on the terminal before they locked the case."

The captain sighed, a wet, tired sound. He reached slowly into his heavy coat and pulled out a standard-issue pistol.

"I don't look at the cargo, Mira. I just carry it," Elias muttered.

Elias stood up, stepped to the open door, and looked down at the captain. "I can't do that," Elias said.