"Your nonstandard showing-off repertoire is impressive enough."

"I can also take heat from things, turn water into ice with decent precision. Which would be more useful if I could walk on ice, which I really, really can't."

"Yeah, that does sound like a significant obstacle."

"I go around with her in public places so I can catch her and make sure people don't wind up in her range."

"Aleko's very useful."

"Returning to the subject of my space pirates - Mark, are you—"

"Okay, good. I'm not what you'd call an experienced combat asset. I've threatened people when there was enough of a language barrier to cause a problem, but - yeah."

"I mean, if the magical assistance came in significantly more convenient forms I'd be more tempted. But with the resources I've got... a working stunner is probably the best thing I can take home. The new skeleton will help too. Thank you, magic bone man."

"You're welcome, of course."

"Are you going to scamper off with it immediately? I'm probably going to be in here for a long time figuring out how this place works."

"Joy," says Aleko.

"I'm definitely going to take advantage of the chance for a breather before I scamper off. Can't wait too long, though, or I might forget something important on my way out."

"I suppose that makes sense. I wish you the best of luck with the space pirates, anyway."

"You've got to be lucky when there are space pirates involved."

"Thank you."

"You're sure you just need one new stunner pack and not - I don't know what else, but still."

"If the bar sold weapons I'd take more weapons. If I thought I could get away without any of the space pirates noticing that there were suddenly two of me, I'd politely ask Mark to go clear me a path. But honestly, even with a broken shoulder and centuries-old weapons technology I was still at worst moderately worried."

"If you say so."

"No, I couldn't," says Miles to Mark's unspoken suggestion, "because there are aspects of this mission that rely on talents I have other than combat, and while I know you do a very good me I'd still rather do those parts myself. If only because I'm going to have to explain it to Simon eventually if I don't."

"What, were you thinking switching outright?" Ivan asks Mark. "Terrible idea. It'd look from our end like you'd shipped out and he'd stayed behind for some reason. Contra orders. Th'captain'd never buy that I hadn't noticed the swap, I'd be in for it."

"The idea would presumably be that Miles would pretend to be me only long enough to leave Earth and proceed to some defined rendezvous point where I would find him to switch back," says Mark.

"Ah. Much better. Still various flavors of non-regulation but in a way pretty much all your own business."