diff --git a/src/comms.rs b/src/comms.rs
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..43ef0607
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/comms.rs
@@ -0,0 +1,26 @@
+use std::ops::Drop;
+
+use serde::Serialize;
+use zeroize::Zeroize;
+
+/// This is a message sent between the Overlord and Minions
+/// in either direction
+#[derive(Debug, Clone, Serialize)]
+pub struct BusMessage {
+    /// Indended recipient of the message
+    pub target: String,
+
+    /// What kind of message is this
+    pub kind: String,
+
+    /// The payload, serialized as a JSON string
+    pub json_payload: String,
+}
+
+/// We may send passwords through BusMessage objects, so we zeroize
+/// bus message payloads upon drop.
+impl Drop for BusMessage {
+    fn drop(&mut self) {
+        self.json_payload.zeroize();
+    }
+}
diff --git a/src/main.rs b/src/main.rs
index 4878e914..4fbd83fc 100644
--- a/src/main.rs
+++ b/src/main.rs
@@ -1,3 +1,5 @@
+mod comms;
+
 fn main() {
     tracing_subscriber::fmt::init();
 }