Hallen kept his hand above the invoice while Mara waited in Blackforge's repair chair. The twelve-thousand-credit deposit had cleared, leaving a twenty-six-thousand balance beside his collector code.
"The Association can settle this as a public service," Hallen said, drawing his office badge closer, "clear my account and I clear Vell's salvage review."
Mara turned toward her father inside Blackforge before Vell needed to answer. The movement tightened the damaged channel under her wrist, but she waited for the pain to release.
"You offered my treatment as a favor to yourself," she said, keeping her voice level, "pay the invoice."
Hallen looked toward Vell as though another man might rescue his authority. Vell placed the recorder between the invoice and the copied contact sheets.
"Payment buys the stated repair," Vell said, opening a blank confession file, "your badge buys nothing here."
