With apologies to Richard Rorty … I felt this a pragmatic approach to naming the below drabble.

“Contingency, Irony, and Solidarity”

By Joseph Manno

Brett teetered on the edge of a tantrum … or a breakdown.

“You must have known! You’re Ops Chief, for God’s sake!”

The Vulcan in Sera strove for distance, for equanimity.

The human in her was having none of that.

“Yes, I knew. But Molly begged that I not mention her transfer to anyone—particularly you.”

He began laughing.

She recognized it as an attempt to forestall tears, and her own heart lurched.

“You have to appreciate her … methodology,” he said.

At once, Sera understood: Of all people, the linguist had asked her to keep silent.

And she had.