Ayana had always known they were the same one.

Chapter 19 — For the Young Lady

As we began our descent, the flight-deck door opened and Captain Hartline stepped out, adjusting his cap.

He didn’t say anything at first.

He walked to our row, reached into his pocket, and set a gold-embossed challenge coin on Nia’s tray table — his fleet’s insignia on one side, the crest of his son’s old infantry division on the other.

“For the young lady,” he said, his eyes meeting mine with real warmth.