“Clothes, Captain,” the woman said, putting a folded stack onto the rickety chair by the door. “As requested.” “Thank you, Asha,” Mariel said stiffly. “That’s … You can just leave them there.” “Yes,” said Asha. “I have.” “You have,” said Mariel. “Exactly. Yes. And—that’s all.” “It is.” Asha backed from the room, still seeming unsure if she should be calling for backup or recommending that they hang a sock on the door to prevent further interruptions. Another silence stretched between them. Clem felt a little bit hysterical.
