Youngling: A Terran Empire story

"Youngling: A Terran Empire story" by Ann Wilson is a science fiction narrative set in the year 2559, where the bond between an interrogator named Joste, a member of the Traiti race, and a human prisoner, Major Horst Marguerre, becomes the central focus. Exploring honor, trauma, and identity's shifting shape amidst an intergalactic war, the story kicks off with Joste's intense grilling of Marguerre; the Major holds strong through torturous interrogation until finally triggering a mind-wipe, a kind of mental death, to protect his people. This complete erasure leaves Marguerre mentally like an infant, making Joste reconsider Marguerre's sacrifice and sense of honor. As the story progresses, Joste feels responsible for this blank-slate human and decides to adopt Marguerre into his clan. The book concludes by examining the characters' backgrounds, highlighting different versions of honor in a universe ruled by varied moral compasses.