Page 296 of Commander’s Mate

“Arrival,” Zoe said.

“Recovery,” Nora offered.

“Freedom processing,” Pyrr said.

Everyone stared at him.

He frowned.

“It sounded better before speaking.”

Scarlet leaned toward me.

“Write down the date.”

“I am.”

Zared sat at the far end of the table.

Not leading.

Listening.

That had taken growth.

The council included rescued people, medical, transport, security, family services, and command.

No one was happy with the seating arrangement.

Good.

Ari wanted medical questions delayed.

Nora argued some could not be.

A rescued father wanted family search to begin automatically.

Another survivor said automatic family contact could get people killed.

Transport wanted destination choices early.

I said early choices made under shock were not always choices people wanted later.

Tivid wanted clean data.

Everyone told him no.

He survived.

Eventually we agreed on stages.

ARRIVAL.

STABILIZATION.

INFORMATION.

CHOICE.