Page 294 of Commander’s Mate

“Not body.”

“No.”

“Then missing.”

I entered:

STATUS DISPUTED BY FAMILY.

Tivid looked at me.

I looked back.

The registry could hold evidence.

It did not get to dictate grief.

By the end of the second intake cycle, we changed three procedures.

No family names on public boards without survivor permission.

No detailed identity interview during first-stage medical triage.

No transfer from intake to family housing without direct confirmation from the rescued person.

Zared found me after sixteen hours.

I was sitting on the floor behind the registry station because chairs had become offensive.

“You need sleep.”

“Probably.”

“Harper.”

“Zared.”

He crouched.

I looked at him.

“We saved a lot of people.”

“Yes.”

“It doesn’t feel like winning.”

“No.”

“Does it ever?”

He thought.

“I used to believe victory was the moment the enemy stopped shooting.”

“And now?”

“Now I think that is when the work becomes harder.”