“I am not on drugs,” I said as I stormed into my boss’s office. “And if this is about that landing, first, it didn’t damage the aircar — I checked - and second, it wasn’t my fault anyway. Some idiot nudged me -”

“Ahem.”

I looked over, and the man from the landing was standing in front of my boss’s filing cabinet, looking calmly amused. Well. Glad someone at least was having a good day.

“It’s not about the landing, Brenner. And if I thought you were on drugs you’d be peeing on a stick right now.” My boss stood. “This is Captain Jason Smith. He’s going to be your new partner.”

My new — “So I’m headed up?”

“No,” Smith said, and some of that good cheer dropped away. “I’m coming down.”

“Special assignment, Brenner.” Looking grim, my boss nodded and said, “I’ll let him tell you about it.”

“Right then.” Smith flashed me another smile, but I could see the strain behind it. “Coffee?”