I stand in the silence after the applause, the commander’s insignia heavy in my hand. They want to bury Dad’s memory under medals and lies. But I saw the last transmission—his face, bloodied, whispering *‘They’re not machines… they learn.’* Now they offer me a desk. Now they expect me to forget. But the truth is buried in the ash fields of Sirius 6B, where he died alone. And if they won’t send a rescue team, I’ll go anyway. Even if it means walking into the jaws of whatever killed him.