Page 76 of Commander’s Mate
A cage built from devotion is still a cage.
Degatu’s words returned.
Harper’s voice softened.
“If someone finds Earth, do you want Tivid to tell me immediately?”
“Yes.”
“Even if it’s bad news?”
“Yes.”
“Even if I fall apart?”
I knew where she was going.
“Yes.”
“Then maybe their families get the same respect.”
I looked at Meya’s name.
Not because Harper was always right.
She was not.
But because the truth was brutal enough without command making it selective.
“Tivid.”
“Yes?”
“Build confidence grades into the registry. Confirmed, probable, possible. Include last-known date and source reliability.”
Harper nodded.
“Then contact families with probable and confirmed matches.”
Tivid’s expression shifted.
“That will create pressure.”
“Yes.”
“Some will demand immediate diversion.”
“I know.”
“Some will accuse us of withholding information before now.”
“They may be right.”
Harper looked at me.
I continued.
“No false promises. No language implying rescue is guaranteed. Every family gets the same data command has unless release would endanger an active operation.”
