As Beka alternated between steaming and trying to be calm Rhade went about his work of trying to unite the Commonwealth and to deal with the threat of the Worldship. And also dealing with his unusual crew. "Captain, Harper's up again", Andromeda informed him.
Rhade groaned. "Where"
"Engineering. He's working on more Nova bombs." Rhade hurried there and grabbed him from behind.
"Jeez, Boss. You scared the living shit out of me."
"No, your living shit was removed already. You don't have it anymore. And you're still recovering. So, you're not supposed to be working."
"But I-."
Rhade cut him off. "Enough. Come back with me." He jerked him along. "Do I have to lock you in your room like Beka"
"You wouldn't"
"I don't want to but it looks like I can't trust you. So."
"All right. All right. I"ll go and behave. Jeez, I'm only trying to do my job here."
"Which you will be allowed to much sooner if you behave and listen. You don't want a health relapse. Or maybe you do"
"No. Fine. I give." Harper allowed himself to be led back to his quarters. Which then aloowed Rhade to get back to what he was doing. The endless rounds of meetings and negotitations were wearing thin. But he kept at it because the stakes were too high. Plus he had something he hadn't had before. A glimmer of hope.