Instructor Seren Veylan hated clean reports.
Clean reports meant someone had scrubbed blood off the paper before handing it to authority.
The crisis board hovering above the lower academy hall was too clean.
Gate Eleven showed as a controlled anomaly. Student casualties showed as unconfirmed. Obsidian evacuation showed as delayed but stable. Team Seven's status showed as under active assessment.
Active assessment.
Veylan read those two words twice and felt the old scar along her ribs tighten.
Children were dying below the floor, and some committee-minded coward had found a way to call it assessment.
"Who authorized that classification?" she asked.
The young registrar beside her swallowed. "The board updated automatically, Instructor."
"Boards do not make moral decisions."
His eyes flicked toward the faculty dais.
Ah.
People did.
