The door to his private office clicks shut. In his absence, I watch steam rise from his cup. The strong Bersivo aroma wafts toward me. A light rush swims through my head at the scent, preparing me for the caffeine. The headache is already coming on, a pressure forming up behind my ears. Orcher returns with a cup of light tan coffee. I accept it and take a sip, jerking back when it scalds me. Wow, first time that’s happened.

“Have you gone to the gym?”

“Yup.”

I can tell he’s just searching for questions, but I want to sit in quiet and admire the view. Can’t he be satisfied with a bit of quiet for once? We don’t need to talk all the time.

“How has working with Captain Blitner been? Do you two talk?”

Great. A guilt trip. I’m glad my back is to Orcher, because my jaw tightens.

“We talk a bit.”

I hear Orcher tap his fingers on the desk. “He appreciates the company, Arman. He really does. He doesn’t talk to many people your age anymore. It’s as new to him as it is to you.”

From the corner of my eye, I can see Orcher watching me. His mouth is open slightly, as if he’s choosing his next words.

“Tomorrow I’m going to go down with you. The three of us can just talk. How does that sound?”

I shrug. Orcher pats my shoulder and grips it like Father always did.

“We’ve got less than a week until the Perihelids. Hold on a little longer, okay?”

My throat loosens a bit as I nod, but my thoughts are elsewhere. I’m watching Station Control, where Glacia would be sitting. I still haven’t seen her since the night Orcher made me practice writing a report and Captain Fallsten hovered over Glacia’s shoulder, criticizing her every move.

“I’ll say something to Miranda.”

I look up at Orcher. He’s frowning, and his eyes are pointed at Station Control, too. He seems to understand what I’m thinking.

The conference room is on Floor 6. It’s arguably the largest room in the Ember, after the observatory, Bridge, and docks. The long oval conference table seats well over a hundred people, with a section cut out in the center and a set of projectors hanging overhead.

Michael is skimming through his notes when I enter and sit next to Orcher. He’s talking to a man who works in the Bridge, so I stare around the room. Victoria is halfway down the table, Officer Remmit and Captain Crowe to her left. Captain Fallsten is directly across from them, watching everyone who walks in the door.