Star:Cin has family in the field. Family that’s friendly with me.
Conor:Friendly enough to spy for you?
Star:Uh-huh. We served in Afghanistan together.
Conor:Why have you never called on her before?
Star:Because Cin hadn’t told me what went down with her cousin in Baghdad.
Conor:She was in Iraq?
Star:Yup.
Conor:What happened? Was she a sex slave too? (You know, it’s only since you came into my world that these questions have become commonplace.)
Star:(My bad.) And no. She was demoted.
Conor:Why?
Star:She came forward with some information about the mistreatment of prisoners of war under her CO’s custody.
Conor:And they demoted her?
Star:Not technically.
Conor:Meaning?
Star:Meaning ‘demotion’ can come in many ways.
Conor:So… she was given desk duty instead of active jobs?
Star:Yeah.
Conor:And she’s bitter?
Star:Oh, yeah. The Blacks are a family of hardcore soldiers. They’ve served the country for five generations. Don’t even ask them about the Civil War. I swear to fuck they know which of their relatives served where.
Conor:Jesus.
Star:Yeah, it’s hella boring. BUT, they’re fuckers you want on your side.
Conor:And this other Black is on your side?
Star:Yup. If I help her get a promotion.
Conor:How do you do that?
Star::d Guess?
Conor:Sticking pokers up Reinier’s ass and making him suck his stump?
Star:You’re quick. I’ll give you that.
Conor:My teachers always said I’d go far.
Star:I bet.
Conor:What’s this Black’s name?