Shannon reads the message on her gray datapad that was addressed to all RHN Flag Officer POWs.

As of today, your contact person is Admiral Sonja Hemphill, Fourth Space Lord, Baroness Low Dehli. Ignore any messages from her that she's not your liaison person, as she is now.

Lady Dame Honor Stephanie Alexander-Harrington, PMV, SG, GCR, MC*, SC, OG, DSO*, CGM**, Steadholder Harrington, Duchess Harrington, Countess White Haven

Shannon reads through the massive reports and quickly types a few numbers into her datapad's calculator, before shaking her head as she knows that those numbers don't add up to the number at the bottom of the table.

"Admiral Tourville, these numbers don't add up. This is a weird puzzle, sir." Shannon asks. He looks over her shoulder,and frowns, before looking at Shannon.

"That's weird. You said you got these puzzles from the coding instructor, Admiral Hemphill." Admiral Tourville replies, trying to confirm the source.

"Yes, sir." Shannon confirms.

"Try seeing what she thinks of it. If she denies it being a typo, you'll run the analysis and figure out what makes the most sense. I'll continue looking at the puzzle, and try to see if it's described later."

"Yes, sir."

He bends over and whispers into Shannon's ear, reminding his little computer witch, "If it turns out to be something bad, you know the code words to alert our people in your messages." Shannon nods, and hopes it's not.

A little while later…

Shannon rereads her message she's just written.

Dear Admiral Hemphill,

Thank you for the reports on how my people are doing. They mean a lot. On page 576, when you add up the numbers, it leaves roughly 500 personnel from Zanizibar unaccounted for. Do you know what happened to them, and if so, can you tell me? I know you must get a lot of emails, as the Flag Officer POW contact person, but this is worrying, if it's not a typo.

Thanks,

Shannon Foraker

"With the phrasing of Admiral Harrington's message, it makes me think that maybe Admiral Hemphill doesn't know, or didn't when Her Grace wrote the message." Shannon says, as her CO reads the message.

"I agree, Shannon. Your message is good, though." he replies, nodding at Shannon.

Shannon sends the message.

Shannon opens Admiral Hemphill's reply.

Dear Shannon Foraker,

I checked your math. It works out, and isn't a typo. Good catch. I don't like being the contact person, though. I'm going to tell Honor to find someone else, like her husband to be the contact person, so if you get another email, saying that he's the new contact person for you Havenites, that's why. I believe those personnel got set to a black site with approval to use enhanced interrogation tactics for extra questioning. Feel free to pass those messages along. I'm also to tell you that ONI wants you to know that you should cooperate and tell us where Bolthole is, so you don't get sent there.

From,

Admiral Sonja Hemphill

Notes: Fanart of the message is (remove spaces and capitals on org and change the \ to the other direction)

editor. p5js. ORG \MaraJadeLives /full /UGUy15IWh