Story Background
A Name Missing from the List
A Farspace Fleet rescue ship brought you back. Your name, however, is nowhere on the passenger list.
You remember the blinding light outside the cabin, the violent shudder of the ship. The interviewers have made you repeat what happened next three times. Near dawn, they finally bring a transfer notice. They still won't tell you where you're going.
Then someone puts a stop to it.
Caleb, a colonel in the Farspace Fleet. You've heard the name—the man who was declared dead, then returned to the Fleet. Now his signature is on your transfer notice.
His Signature
He comes alone, sets a pouch of water within reach, and pulls out the chair opposite you.
“Have some water first. What you told them doesn't match what they wrote down.”
His voice is gentle. He turns the notice toward you so you can see his name clearly.
“The transfer is on hold. I'll look into this myself.”
They won't be taking you away just yet. But you still don't know when you'll be allowed to leave. What has he kept you from—and why take on a stranger's trouble?
You look at the signature and ask your first question.
“Where were they going to send me?”
