Page 143 of Commander’s Mate

Harper’s shoulders tightened almost invisibly.

I felt it.

“She is Harper Avery,” I repeated.

The woman blinked.

Then inclined her head.

“Harper Avery.”

“Hi.”

The translator rendered the Earth informality oddly.

The woman looked back at the missing name.

“My son.”

Harper crouched at a respectful distance.

“What’s his name?”

“Tovan Reh.”

Harper’s face changed.

“Tovan?”

“Not your escort,” I said quietly. “Common name.”

The woman touched the screen.

“Sold from Farseek. No record after.”

Harper looked at me.

Then at the woman.

“Can I add him to the registry?”

“He is already military missing.”

“I mean the rescued-person registry. Cross-link family reports, sightings, transfer records.”

The woman stared.

“Would that help?”

“It might.”

“Then yes.”

Harper pulled a small slate from her pocket.

She carried one constantly now.

“Tell me everything you want recorded.”