Once the Barge deposited him back on the deck, B spent the morning fussing over the cat and then scrubbing and soaking way too long in Lark and Steve's bathtub, but he can't put it off any longer. Hair tied back, and back in three layers of hoodie and combat boots, B tracks down Ellie. He hadn't seen her on the port, or he might have reported sooner.

But he's here now. He starts at her cabin, tapping on the door with metal fingers, then will circle out from there if she's not there. He has to report. She's his warden.