The command walkway of the UIC Tabitha offered a sweeping view of the bridge, where the crew were each focused on their assigned duties. Below, officers moved between stations, their faces lit by the cool glow of the info dispys.

  Captain Raymond Malone stood beside Commander Lochem Ahaffa, his gaze fixed on the bustle below, though his mind was clearly elsewhere. The low thrum of the ship's heartbeat provided a constant, grounding vibration through the floorptes.

  "Are you ready for them, Captain?" Lochem asked, breaking the silence.

  "Yes," Raymond replied. "I’m eager to find out exactly what they reported."

  Lochem shifted, a look of concern crossing his features. "Do you really think all of this is because of something in their after-action reports?"

  "I don't know," Raymond sighed. His expression softened briefly– he had always trusted Mayvheen’s steady hand– but it hardened again just as quickly. "Veera can be a wildcard. I just can't imagine what else would justify this kind of response from Lunar Command. Recalling a long-range cruiser mid-patrol? It has to be something in those reports."

  "From the preliminary data," Lochem noted, "all of the bme should be on the Cephilusk blockade."

  "Mmm. It's possible Lunar Command’s decision had nothing to do with them," Raymond admitted, "but the timing is very suspicious."

  "I'm sure they had a good reason, though?" Lochem ventured.

  Raymond gave a short, cynical nod. "Oh, no doubt. They always do. And it’s usually politics."

  Lochem looked out over the bridge. "Maybe they’re sending the Mah'Abeu to discuss something too sensitive to transmit via encrypted channels? We still don't know who’s listening when our comms pass through the gates."

  "Still," Raymond shook his head. "Recalling us even for someone as important as a Mah'Abeu is unprecedented. But we're just specuting. We might have some crity after the debriefing."

  Lochem nodded, turning toward the command console. "I’ll send for them." He tapped a control. "Tabitha? Will you notify Lieutenant Ahaffa and Ensign Polyakov that we are ready for them?"

  The ship’s AI responded instantly, her avatar appearing as a flicker of light on the nearby terminal. "Done. Is there anything else, Commander?"

  "No. Thank you, Tabitha. That's all for now."

  Raymond turned to his commander, his eyes narrowing slightly. "Commander, are you sure it's wise for you to be here for this debriefing? Depending on how things go..."

  Lochem didn't hesitate. "Church and State, sir. It doesn't matter that Mayvheen is my sister."

  "In theory, yes," Raymond countered. "But you’ll be taking the lead. I’m worried about the optics. We can briefly pause your command evaluation. No one would bme you for stepping aside."

  "Sir, with all due respect," Lochem said, his voice firm, "I've served under you for almost my whole career. Have you ever known me to have my judgment impaired by a personal retionship?"

  Raymond studied him for a moment before a small, proud smile touched his lips. "No. No, you’re right. If you set out to be impartial, I know you will be."

  "Thank you. Besides," Lochem added, "if I’m to pass and ever be captain of my own ship, Mayvheen would probably follow me there. If people can't learn to trust me now, they won't trust me then."

  The moment of camaraderie was interrupted by the AI. Tabitha’s avatar shifted, her expression turning uncharacteristically sharp.

  "Captain," she announced, "I have an urgent message for your attention."

  "What is it, Tabitha? We're about to start the debriefing."

  "You asked to be updated on the status of the Christopher IV’s rendezvous?"

  Raymond frowned. "Yes, but the rendezvous is still hours away."

  "We are no longer tracking the Christopher IV," Tabitha said.

  "That's to be expected, right?" Raymond asked. "We chose the rendezvous spot inside the nebu specifically for its privacy. The interference–"

  "Yes, sir," Tabitha interrupted. "But I wasn't expecting to lose tracking on the Christopher IV for another 2 hours and 37 minutes."

  Raymond frowned at Lochem while speaking to Tabitha. "Should we be concerned?"

  "I am unable to make an argument for or against concern," Tabitha replied. "My subroutines simply require me to keep all commanding officers informed."

  Raymond turned to Lochem, gesturing to the console. "Well, Commander? It’s your evaluation."

  Lochem blinked. "Are you sure?"

  "Yes. It's an excellent opportunity for some practical experience. Tabitha, confirm Commander Ahaffa's authority as acting captain."

  "Confirmed," the AI chirped. "Commander Ahaffa's authority has been elevated to acting captain since his command evaluation started 6 hours ago."

  Lochem took a breath, centring himself. "Very well then. Tabitha, what are your recommended options?"

  "I have two noteworthy recommendations," Tabitha replied. "Recommendation one, with a decision weight of 43.6, is to continue to the rendezvous as pnned. Recommendation two, with a weight of 39.4, is to adjust the course to the position where we lost track of the vessel."

  Lochem considered the numbers for only a second. "Thank you. Stay the course. Continue to the rendezvous."

  "Yes, Commander."

  Lochem looked toward Raymond, searching for a sign of approval. Lochem had left Luna at seventeen to join the fleet, and in the years since, Raymond had become more than just a superior officer. Raymond had filled the role of the father Lochem had left behind.

  "You did well," Raymond said.

  "Thank you, sir."

  "I do want to give you a piece of advice, though," Raymond added. "Don't put too much stock into the 'decision weights' of recommendations. While Tabitha’s AI is a brilliant strategist, she won't factor in intuition into her calcutions. Don't be afraid to ask for counsel, but always trust your gut."

  Lochem nodded. "Sir. If I may, I want to dey the debriefing. I'd like to remain on the bridge until we have safely transferred all of the Christopher IV’s crew to the Tabitha."

  Raymond smiled. "You've always preferred a hands-on approach. It's one of the qualities I admire in you. And you're acting captain. No need to ask for my permission. I'm just here to record and evaluate."

  "Thank you, sir. Tabitha?"

  "Yes, Commander?"

  "Notify Lieutenant Ahaffa and Ensign Polyakov. Their debriefing is pushed back until after the rendezvous is complete."

  "Notification sent," Tabitha confirmed.

  Lochem turned his attention back to the nebu on the main screen, the weight of responsibility, all the lives under his command now resting squarely on his shoulders.