They found Priya in a side office overlooking the emptying Registry hall. She looked up from her slate as we entered—Saya a half-step behind me, bruise still visible on her neck, Maren at my other side with arms crossed.

“Report.”

I told her everything: Saya’s test, the surge, her decision to join, and how the rest of the Wardens had turned away.

Priya set the slate down. “Annoyed doesn’t begin to cover it, dear boy. I paid for a full commission and got one signature plus a demonstration that scared off the rest.” She nodded once at Saya. “Pulling the strongest name is still an achievement. I’ll think of something. The Steadfast does not leave under-strength.”

Saya inclined her head. “The enhancement held. Further testing will show the scale.”

A soft knock interrupted the silence.

“Enter.”

The girl who stepped in looked built out of apologies—small, slight, oversized jacket, ash-blonde hair, pale-green eyes fixed on the floor. She clutched a datapad like a shield.

“I’m Wren Larkin. Cellular regeneration, contact-based. I heard the Steadfast still has open berths. I’d like to request assignment. Please.”

Priya’s smile returned. “Perfect timing. Commission completed. Welcome aboard.”

“Wait.”

Wren flinched hard, taking a half-step back. She looked at me like I might cross the room and take what the other captains now assumed every Warden on my ship eventually gave.

“Why do you want to join?” I asked quietly. “Because right now you look like you’re waiting for me to force myself on you the second you say yes.”

Color flooded her cheeks.

“Nobody else will take me. My power only works on contact—I have to be on the front line next to whoever’s dying. Every captain said the same thing: a non-combat Warden in the kill zone is just a death signature and paperwork. I’ve asked every open ship for a year. They all said no. I heard what happened with her—” a tiny nod at Saya “—and I still came. That’s how few options I have left.”

I met her eyes.

“I’m not going to touch you like that. Not now, not later, not because of a contract. You’re not a body to claim. You’re someone who can put people back together. We’ll figure out how to use your power without feeding you to the front line. That’s my job. Yours is to tell me when something hurts or isn’t working. Deal?”

Wren’s eyes shone. She nodded once, sharp and small.

“Deal,” she whispered. “Thank you. I’m sorry for assuming—”

“Wren. You’re welcome here. That’s the only part that matters.”

Priya gave a small, approving click of her tongue. “Three Wardens. Commission met. Barely. Get them to the shuttle. And Captain—try not to collect any more scandals before you leave the dock.”

Saya spoke, calm and practical. “A non-combat specialist changes the math. I’ll look at formations that keep her effective without putting her in the open.”

Maren uncrossed her arms and looked at Wren the way she used to look at the younger kids on the docks—protective, a little fierce.

“Come on. Let’s get you something that actually fits.”

Wren followed her like the offer might vanish if she moved too slowly. I took one last look at the empty hall, then turned and followed my crew.