Chapter Four: The Ship That Never Sank

At twenty-seven, asking permission to test the new cargo craft. In every scene, Gu said the same thing. I know what's best for you. The final screen played Gu Yang's last message: “Dad, if I come back, can you let me finish speaking once?” Two red levers rose from the console. One read SEAL EAST COMPARTMENT; the other REVOKE GU YANG'S FLIGHT CLEARANCE. Pull either and the ship would stop sinking. Gu Yang would remain. Gu seized the second. “Don't choose for him,” Zhou said. “I already lost him once!” “You lost him every day you turned love into an order.” Gu Yang met his eyes. “Do you want me alive, or obedient?” The storm froze. Gu's hand shook on the lever. At last, he released it.