“What were the circumstances of his original disappearance?”

Brun answered, “Very quiet, my lord. He signed off-shift in the usual manner, and never showed up for his next watch. When his cabin was finally checked, it seemed that some of his personal effects and a valise were missing, although most of his uniforms were left. There was no record of his finally leaving the ship, but then . . . he'd know how to get out without being seen if anyone could. Which is why I posit desertion. The ship was very thoroughly searched after that. He has to have altered the records, or slipped out with the cargo, or something .”

“Any sense that he was unhappy in his work or place?”

“Not—no, my lord. Nothing special.”

“Anything not special?”

“Well, there was the usual chronic chaff about being a Komarran in this”—Brun gestured at himself—”uniform. I suppose, where he was placed, he was in position to get it from both sides.”

We're trying to all be one side, now. Miles decided this was not the time or place to pursue the unconscious assumptions behind Brun's word-choice. “Cargomaster Molino—do you have any sidelights on this? Was Solian subject to, ah, reproof from his fellow Komarrans?”

Molino shook his head. “The man seemed to be well liked by the crew of the Idris as far as I could tell. Stuck to business, didn't get into arguments.”

“Nevertheless, I gather that your first . . . impression, was that he had deserted?”