“Much rests on how they proceed. They have promised action, but they have been frustratingly vague as to specifics. And while they’re warlike in the extreme, they aren’t reckless. If they attack the Confederation, they’ll do it methodically, and only if they believe they can win.”

Lille leaned back in his chair, staring across the desk at his friend. “Let us hope that your long trip was not in vain. Though perhaps it’s of little consequence. We outnumber the Confederation two to one in hulls, and three to one in ground forces. Even bearing the burdens of the invader, our projections suggest we have the advantage, even without Alliance involvement, by a significant margin. If the Alliance commits in strength, the Confederation is doomed to a rapid defeat.”

“Perhaps.” Villieneuve almost said more, but he stopped himself. He and Lille had been friends for twenty years, and he trusted the Minister as much as he dared trust anyone, but those who had reached a position of power in the Union and held it for any amount of time knew better than to be careless with words. Betrayal was simply too effective a route to high position, and relying on friendship was a very dangerous game. In a society where accusation was often regarded as tantamount to guilt, turning in associates—even friends—had aided the path of more than one aspiring Minister.

His eyes dropped to the floor. The rug’s origin reminded him how quickly one could go from a powerful position to a pile of goo on the floor of an interrogation cell on Level Zero.

Lille just sat still for a moment. Villieneuve knew his superior was as aware of the dangers of loose talk as he was, that he would be just as cautious. It always paid to be careful, even with people you trusted. Especially with those you trusted…they were often the ones who could hurt you the most.

“There’s no doubt. The fleet is strong, ready to face the Confederation.” Lille’s tone was guarded. It was clear he was choosing his words with care. “But the slightest distraction to the Confeds will have an exaggerated effect on their ability to meet our forces. The diversion of even ten percent of their active strength would create large gaps in their defenses. Our forces would be spared much hard fighting, and our losses and costs would be correspondingly smaller.”