Page 203 of Commander’s Mate

“Yes.”

“They cannot require survivor manifests under the rule they cited.”

Tivid spoke.

“She is correct.”

Harper looked smug.

I loved her.

Inconvenient timing.

Orvan changed tactics.

“Administrator error does not remove the larger concern.”

“No,” Harper said. “But it makes the written reason for your port suspension false.”

His eyes narrowed.

“You are not an attorney.”

“No. I deliver mail.”

Pyrr coughed.

Harper ignored him.

“Bad addresses still don’t get packages.”

For the first time, Orvan looked uncertain whether he was being insulted.

He was.

Tivid transmitted a formal challenge before the call ended.

Not victory.

The maintenance yard remained suspended.

But the medical convoy corridor returned to amber review instead of red denial.

Fuel access reopened pending ship-only inspection.

Orvan had lost enough ground that he could not make the restrictions look routine.

Before disconnecting, he looked directly at Harper.

“Ms. Avery, systems are more complicated than forms.”

She nodded.

“That’s why people hide inside them.”

The screen went dark.

Pyrr laughed.