The lank man nodded, expressionless.
"You'll hog for a while. Later we'll see.... Any relation to the Duggan we lost a couple of years back?"
"We're cousins."
"Tough he couldn't see his way clear to try again." Short's lips thinned. "He may snap out of it yet.... We could use a few more like him."
"I—I'll talk with him," promised Duggan.
He fought back the words that wanted to pour out. Whether it was a strange sense of loyalty to his wife, or a stubborn sort of pride, he could not bring himself to speak ill of her.
"A super mech is not so bad, Duggan." Short flexed a skinny arm. "I've worn this one since a rock slide crushed my back."
"Yes, sir," Duggan agreed.
Short scribbled on a form, handed it to Duggan.
"Take this down to Ted Rusche, he's the short, dark fellow bossing the rock hogs. He'll see you're issued your tools."