Someone who has read Black Man answered to my questions:
dorsal implies running along the top, back or spine of a ship, station or structure - like the dorsal fin of a fish that runs along its spine - the opposite is ventral
decanting means pouring out into another vessel - in context the "
decanting drugs" are used when one is "poured out" of a cryocap; presumably in order to prevent shock.
In context the word "
cormorant" is used as a code word; you'll understand later in the book as I do think it is more fully explained.
