Page 317 of Commander’s Mate

I held out my hand.

He took it.

Not mate and commander. Not dependent and protector. Just two people making terms.

“Recovery Director Harper Avery,” he said.

I groaned.

“That sounds terrifying.”

“You will grow into it.”

“I was afraid you’d say that.”

The ship announcement called a general meeting in one hour.

The survivor vote.

Continue toward Julconi or turn back toward Farseek.

For the first time, I would attend not only as Zared’s mate.

Not only as one of the Earth women.

Not only as a rescued person.

I had a job.

A ridiculous, invented, necessary job.

I looked at the registry.

Not a list of victims.

A people becoming a force.

And apparently, I was part of command now.

God help command.

The first argument arrived before the office had a second chair.

Medical sent me two requests marked urgent.

Transport sent me one marked impossible.

I stared at all three.

Nora leaned against the doorframe.

“Welcome to management.”

“I hate management.”

“You’ve had the title for eleven minutes.”

“Longest eleven minutes of my life.”