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he could have shot me when he had Chin’s gun.”
    “You can’t count on that. Even if he had wanted to kill you then and be boss, he couldn’t do it. The Highman’s order is no more than one challenge in a month. Bender could have shot you, but the crowd, all of who know the order, would have put him out for the scavs.”
    “Does that apply to our boss issuing challenges?” Roberts asked.
    I looked at Roberts. “You want me to fight the boss of other compounds before the fallout is settled here.”
    She shook her head. “That is not what I was thinking. Challenge The Highman, go straight to the top.”
    Jenkins slapped her across the face. “Don’t even joke about that. The Highman will hear you and kill us all.”
    “I’m pretty sure he’s not in here with us, and Jenkins if you ever raise a hand to her again, I’ll cut it off and choke you with it. Clear?”
    “Yes, Boss Danbeu, but do not speak of The Highman. He will know, he always knows. I don’t know how.” Jenkins looked to Roberts. “He will find out and he will kill us all.” Jenkins moved toward the guards. “If you have nothing else, Boss, I have duties to see to.” As he left, he yelled at the guards to finish and get out.
    I turned Roberts face to me. “It’s red, are you okay?”
    “You hit harder,” she replied loudly, like I was across the room. Her eyes darted to the eating guards, then back to me.
    “You said there was a shower in there.” I pointed to the bathroom. “Fresh clothes also, clothes for both of us?”
    “Yeah, the clothes are in there.”
    I took her arm and walked into the bathroom. It had a solid door with a good lock. “All right, we have stuff to do today, so let’s try to get this done fast.” I reached to her shirt and started to unbutton it.
    Roberts pushed my hands away and stepped back from me. “Go first and take your time, I’ll shower afterwards. I’ll be just outside.”
    I shook my head. “Same time, we’ll get done faster, well maybe.” I reached back to her shirt.
    “Really, maybe later,” she offered.
    “Yes, now, this is an order.”
    She brushed my hands away again, but took up undressing herself.
    I pulled my clothes off and Roberts gasped at the bruises that covered much of my abdomen and shoulders. I pointed at the darkest one on my shoulder. “This one is from you.”
    Roberts knew that was the shoulder she had grabbed me by, while on the ship. “The rest are Nelson’s agents and Chin.” I waved her toward the shower.
    I could see by the look on her face that she was not comfortable with the shower order, but it was an order and she stepped into the shower. I joined her and set the shower to a hard, hot spray, then turned to Roberts.
    She stood with her arms folded across her chest.
    “I know you do not approve of this shower idea, but something occurred to me from Jenkins reaction to your comment about me going after Highman. What if he does hear and see everything? What if he has help, like the place is bugged?”
    “So we’re in the shower to have the noise cover our conversation?”
    “Mostly, yeah, that is the important reason.”
    Roberts nodded.
    “When you were looking around, did you see anything that might be cameras, or listening devices? I know this place is one camp fire above the stone age, but that might be one of Highman and the boss’ secrets, like the supply drops.”
    “I didn’t notice any, but I will go over the rooms again. If we can find Price, have him look also. Being a research and development tech, he knows spy gear, old stuff and new, and he might see something I miss.” She looked off to one side, then back to me.
    “I can’t promise that. We’ll try to locate Price, Nelson, and the others, but I don’t know.” I took hold of Roberts by the shoulders and held her out at arm’s-length. “Tell me about you and Price. What is he to you?”
    “We’re not romantically involved if that is your question. We work well together.” She