Page 49 of Music of the Ocean

It was an urgent, high-priority message, scrambling to cut through every layer of encryption and protocol in the Federation fleet.

The message had arrived.

For a moment, the chamber was quiet except for the low hum of the city’s infrastructure. Then, the display shifted again. A new figure appeared on the screen, this one older than the captain, with a face lined by decades of command.

She wore a uniform so crisp and severe it seemed welded to her bones. Her hair was a tight silver cap, and her eyes, two cold stones set above a mouth made for giving orders. She didn’t so much as glance at the captain before speaking. “Lieutenant Delmar, this is Fleet Admiral Soulsop. I have received your message.”

The chamber fell even more silent, as if the entire crew of the Heathglow was holding its collective breath. Indigo noticed that even Saxby snapped to attention.

Indigo studied the human. The admiral’s presence commanded instant obedience. Everyone on the Bridge straightened, every face turned toward the image. Even the captain’s habitual posturing shrank in the face of her authority.

Indigo found her interesting.

Soulsop did not waste time with pleasantries. “This transmission is being logged and monitored by Oversight, per protocol,” she added.

“Good,” Saxby mumbled.

Soulsop focused on Captain Mollen, her tone sharpening. “Captain. You will cease all extraction and intervention attempts immediately. The situation on the surface is critical and may escalate to a galactic-level biocontainment event. You are not to make further contact with Lieutenant Delmar. You will return to Federation Command immediately and report directly to me.”

Captain Mollen paled. “Sir, I—”

“Dismissed, Captain.” Soulsop paused, letting the weight of her words sink in.

Indigo was impressed. Her every syllable carried the finality of a doomed career.

Soulsop turned her attention to Saxby. “Lieutenant Delmar. Your report suggests you are in stable communication with the anomaly and safe. Is this true?”

“Yes, Sir.”

“Good. Unfortunately, I cannot accept your resignation at the current time. We do not abandon our people. But you are relieved from active duty. I ask that you be allowed to transmit status updates every ten-day standard, until further notice. If you experience any loss of self-determination, you will alert us immediately.”

The admiral’s gaze flicked toward Indigo, then back to Saxby. “Lieutenant?”

Saxby looked at Indigo. “Is that acceptable to you?”

Indigo stared at the Fleet Admiral.

“I’ve read the classified briefing on you and this planet,” Soulsop said. “I know who and what you are, and what this planet can and will do. This planet is supposed to be restricted, and the Heathglow never should have been sent there, much less an Landing Team sent down. I can promise you, heads will roll.”

Indigo nodded.

“This will never happen again. And I am sorry, Lieutenant. The one who ordered this will pay, that I promise you.”

“Thanks for that. I appreciate it,” Saxby said.

“You seem to be an honorable person,” Indigo finally said. “If Saxby wishes to do as you ask, I will not interfere.”

“Then, I agree.” Saxby glanced at Vance, who was still on the split screen. “This… This is a new adventure, you know, Vance? I didn’t see it coming, but that’s why we joined, right? To explore and experience things. It kind of sucks how it came about, but I’m okay. I’m adjusting. I can breathe under water, man. How cool it that?”

Vance shook his head. “I don’t know, man. I don’t like any of this.”

“I really am okay. Goodbye, Vance. Tell Abe goodbye, also, please. Bye, Kira.”

“We’ll make sure Abe knows,” Kira said.

“Heathglow out,” Vance said, and part of the screen went black.

“I look forward to your reports. And thank you, Indigo, for being patient. Soulsop out.”