Kat felt uncomfortable with the plushness of the office, as any old school Alliance Patrician would, but she recognized the usefulness of the private space. She had even admitted to herself, she was enjoying it.

“Have you made any progress in suppressing the Confed fugitives, Praefectus?” Her voice was even, not accusatory in any way. She was surprised Millius had not pacified the surface yet, but she knew the infantry commander was a good officer, capable and dedicated to duty. If he was having difficulties, there was a reason. And it wasn’t his lack of skill or effort.

“Negative, Commander. The terrain is very rough to the north of our position.” There was a short pause. “I’m afraid the enemy has been able to engage in an effective hit and run campaign, striking suddenly and retreating before we can concentrate against them.”

“Are there any indications there may be additional enemy forces on the planet?”

“No, Commander. I do not believe so. Our interrogation of the prisoners prior to their—liquidation—was extremely thorough. I do not believe they withheld any information from us. The fault is mine, Commander. We have simply failed to hunt them down. But I assure you I will do everything necessary to complete the mission.”

Kat nodded, a small smile slipping onto her lips. She appreciated Millius’s honesty, his willingness to accept responsibility for the situation on the surface. It was the Alliance ideal, but it was one that was rarer than honorable Palatians liked to admit.

“You have my every confidence, Praefectus. If there is anything you require…additional satellites for surveillance, more supplies, ordnance…”

Though we don’t have much more aboard to give you…

“No, Commander. Thank you, but I believe we are adequately supplied. We simply need to track down these Confed Marines and finish them.”

“Very well. I leave it to you, Praefectus, but we must have the area around the tritium production and storage secured before the advance elements of the fleet arrive. I would offer orbital support, but without precise targeting data, I’m afraid we can’t risk hitting your own people or destroying the storage tanks. Perhaps…”

She stopped suddenly as the sounds of muffled rumbles filled her earpiece.

“What is that, Praefec…”

“I’m sorry, Commander. We are under attack. I have to go.”

She heard an abrupt click, and she reached up, pulling the headset off. She sat still for a moment, shaking her head. If Millius’s interrogation data was correct, if he was having his much trouble with thirty Confederation Marines…what could she expect if she ran into any enemy vessels?

Her briefings had suggested that the entire Confederation fleet was deployed against the Union, that there was nothing more than a motley collections of aging patrol boats anywhere near Santis. But Kat wasn’t about to bet the mission on the intelligence briefings.

She tapped her com unit, calling up Wentus’s channel on the bridge.