Page 277 of Commander’s Mate

We.

That one word caught in my chest.

Chapter Forty-One

Harper

The registry did not celebrate.

People did.

The registry updated.

That was colder and, somehow, kinder.

Lio Tarven changed from MISSING—PRIORITY RED to FAMILY UNIT LINKED.

His mother would remember the scream she made when he came down the ramp.

The registry would remember where he was found, who carried him, what medical treatment he received, and which family record belonged with his.

Both mattered.

I had barely finished updating his file when Tivid appeared at my station.

His face told me not to expect another miracle.

“Nera Tovan Reh.”

Everything around me went quieter even though the intake bay remained chaos.

“Found?”

“Yes.”

“Alive?”

He hesitated.

My stomach dropped.

“Yes,” he said. “Alive. Medical red.”

I closed my eyes.

Relief and fear arrived together.

“Where?”

“Dreadnought Eight surgical intake.”

“Her mother?”

“Deyan is aboard Eight.”

“Does she know?”

“Not yet. Medical wants confirmation before reunion.”