Page 253 of Commander’s Mate

I continued.

“I require officers to explain why bad procedure should survive merely because it is old.”

Voro laughed.

“Fair.”

The briefing lasted another hour.

By the end, Breskaa was no longer one mission.

It was assault.

Extraction.

Medical.

Identity.

Family.

Transport.

Destination.

Information.

What happened after the door opened.

Harper had taught us that part.

When the room cleared, I remained.

Meya’s name was gone from the screen.

Not from my head.

Harper stayed too.

“You okay?”

“No.”

“Good answer.”

“You use my own language against me.”

“Yes.”

I looked at the empty display.

“If she is there—”

“We try.”

“If she is not—”

“We keep looking.”