Page 167 of Commander’s Mate

“Same thing.”

“No.”

“It feels the same.”

“That does not make it true.”

I wanted to argue.

Tivid called first.

“Found her.”

I was moving before he finished.

“Where?”

“Still aboard.”

I stopped.

“What?”

“Rehabilitation compartment.”

“How?”

He sounded annoyed.

Good.

“Medical cleared her for movement. A rehabilitation volunteer escorted her to low-gravity therapy. Transport generated a transfer status when her bunk assignment changed decks.”

Scarlet swore.

I almost did.

“She never left the ship?”

“No.”

“Did she consent?”

“Yes. Rehabilitation has signed consent.”

I sat down.

My knees had stopped being reliable.

Vessa’s daughter had been safe the entire time.

That should have made me feel better.

It did.

For about ten seconds.

Then I got angry again.