“Send a probe to look for it.”

“Yes, Madam.”

There’s no sleeping after that, so Beko works.

“Lagos, pull the Pouch from the Ragtime for me.”

“On screen.”

Every interstellar flight comes with something from Earth for Beko’s eyes only. Most cannot be entrusted to electronics. They are, to a one, out of date by the time the ship arrives, but it helps her feel connected.

But, shit, here’s a letter, and not one she was expecting.

Dear Madam Secretary,

My name is Toby Campion and I write on behalf of myself and my brother Hank. I’m a pilot, though I cannot tell you the work I’m involved with.

I’m writing to enquire about the Ragtime. Our baby sister Michelle Campion is taking her first interstellar flight and we’re all very excited. She is first mate, which is a tremendous honour for someone so young and just out of training.

Could we ask that you look out for her? She’s new to spaceflight and although she’s probably the smartest person you’ve ever met, she sometimes underestimates the value of experience. We’re proud of her, but we would feel much less anxious knowing you were providing overwatch.

Sincerely,

Hank and Toby Campion.

Beko puts the letter down. This Ragtime is proving to be a thorn.

“Lagos.”

“Madam?”

“Give me everything you have on Michelle, Hank and Toby Campion. You may find some intersections with Governor Lawrence.”

“Yes, Madam.”

Beko looks at the time. She’s lost four hours already, and she isn’t even sleepy.

She keeps working.

The probe cannot contact the AI of the Decisive. The records and extrapolation of the last known trajectory show a vector towards Bloodroot.

Lawrence has gone after Michelle Campion, after the Ragtime. There can be no other deduction.

Awe

Awe had a call from her not too long ago, so he is surprised when the bell rings and the cameras show her outside, wearing her most irritated facial expression. Secretary Beko makes Awe uncomfortable, but this is normal. She makes everyone uncomfortable, and it doesn’t make him feel weak. It’s worse when she is in his space. She’s been standing at the door too long.

“Come in, your… ma’am.”

“Thank you.”

“Do you want some iced tea?”

“I do not.”

Silence. Awe is hypervigilant about the mess in his workspace. It’s about the same for anyone else in the Service, but Beko notoriously has a thing about cleanliness. Showers three times a day or something equally sacrilegious and water-expensive. But who’s gonna tell her off? Not Awe.

She stares at him.

“Ma’am?”