“Grace,” Nicomidi spat. “If we were properly vigilant, that hive would have been purged long since.”

“If we were as ‘vigilant’ as you wanted,” Prodominus said, “every city within a hundred kilometers of the borders would be a pile of ashes.”

“Perhaps that wouldn’t be such a tragedy.”

“Gentlemen, please,” Baselanthus said. “These young people are not here for a Council debate. Agathios Tanax, your team will go to Litnin and investigate. Take whatever action you deem necessary if you discover that the reports have merit. Any who aided in the smuggling of proscribed items should be brought to justice under Republic law. Do you understand?”

“Yes, Kyriliarch,” Tanax said, glancing first at Nicomidi, who gave him a quick nod. “When do we depart?”

“Tomorrow morning. The quartermasters’ office has been informed, so request what you need. Travel funds and so on have also been allocated.” Baselanthus peered at the four of them. “Are there any questions?”

Maya could think of a few, but before she could raise her voice Tanax answered for her.

“No, Kyriliarch.” He bowed again. “If you’ll excuse me, we need to prepare.”

“Go on.” Baselanthus looked at his fellow Kyriliarchs with a sigh. “I suspect we have other matters to discuss.

Tanax straightened up, nodded again to Nicomidi, and turned to leave. Beq and Varo followed. Maya, feeling a little left behind, hurried after them. She expected to see them gathered in the corridor, but instead the two trainees were already going one way while Tanax stalked in the opposite direction. After a moment of indecision, Maya jogged to catch up with her fellow agathios.

“Agathios Maya.” Tanax stopped and turned to face her. “Did you have a question?”

“I just thought … I mean …” Maya gave herself a mental shake. Remember what’s at stake. Tanax, presumably, would be the one who informed the Council about her performance. And he and Nicomidi are Dogmatics. If they want me to fail here, to try to get at Jaedia … “I wanted to offer my assistance. This sort of assignment is very familiar to me.” Investigating rumors of smugglers and dhak had been half of what she and Jaedia did on their endless circuits of the Republic. “Do you have any thoughts you want to share on our plans?”

“Our plans?” Tanax’s lips pressed tightly together. “I am the senior agathios on this assignment, I believe.”

“Yes, of course,” Maya said. “I only meant—”

“When I wish to hear your opinion,” Tanax said, “I will ask for it. Until then, all I require is that you follow instructions. Is that understood?”

Maya froze. For a moment, all her effort went into biting back an angry retort.

“Understood,” she managed eventually.

“Requisition your gear as you please,” Tanax said. “I will expect you tomorrow morning, in the Gate chamber.”