Her lips quirk into a wry smile. Half the reason they continued to chase the raiders down was to teach them a lesson, but it's also true that they have no real obligation to treat him as a friend just because they have the same enemies. "I guess that makes us even," she says, "and that's a good way to begin a friendship."

"Fjord," she repeats thoughtfully. "Never heard of Port Damali. You must be a long way from home."

She takes the canteen back favorably impressed by his manners. "They left a little salvage. We can split it, if you want, but you don't seem to have a vehicle. You going anywhere in particular?"