“It wasn’t that I didn’t want to,” I said, choosing my words with care. “It’s just… duty called. And there wasn’t exactly a Hallmark card for ‘Congratulations on becoming Admiral.’”

Reins let out a short, respectful laugh, breaking the tension like a spear through ice. “Well, I’ll be damned,” he said, shaking his head. “Admiral Callahan, leading Unit Seventy-Seven. We’ve heard stories, but I never thought I’d have the honor.”

His words seemed to spark something in the crowd, and soon the murmuring resumed, this time with a new intensity, the sound of opinions and realizations bouncing around like a pinball.

My father was still staring at me, his eyes searching mine. “Why didn’t you at least hint at it?” he asked.