That voice Dyeawan has come to know well, especially its reprimanding tone. It belongs to Oisin, the Protectorate Ministry agent who seems to act as both roving sentry within the Planning Cadre and liaison between Edger and the Ministry itself. Straining the edge of her viewpoint, Dyeawan is able to glimpse the flourish of a black cape, confirming her suspicion.

“We have consistently advanced the Sicclunan front for more years than I’ve counted wearing this eagle’s eye on my chest,” Oisin continues. “In the past few months we have lost more ground than at any time on record since the Sicclunan campaign began.”

“Considering all that time during which we consistently advanced the front, if we’d lost an inch it would’ve been a shattering record loss, would it not?”

“We’ve lost far more than an inch,” Oisin counters impatiently.

“Perspective, my friend.”

“If I can’t make you take this revolt seriously, at least consider the practical implications. If we do not regain that ground within a fortnight it will begin to affect both production and sustainability within the eastern cities. Lumber, steel, fruit, fertile soil, everything will begin to reach dangerously low reserves. If it continues we will have no choice but to reroute supplies from the northern and southern cities. Soon after that we’ll have the Gens and the citizenry questioning the source of the shortage.”

“If Mister Quan accidentally nicks me with his razor I can extrapolate that tiny wound until it becomes the end of the world as we know it if I take it far enough.”

“This is happening now, Edger!”

“And it will cease happening when the rabble reaches the border. This is an aberration, nothing more, and the system we have built will correct it as a body corrects a minor illness. You must calm down.”

“I am perfectly calm.”

“Yes, I’m watching it drip from your body as we speak.”

“At least recall the Savage Legion,” Oisin pleads. “Bring them back from the front until this thing is put down.”

“Would you take the swords out of the Skrains’ hands, as well? You want to deprive our forces of their greatest weapon before the first serious opposition they’ve faced, as you say, since before you pinned that eagle eye to your chest?”

“The Savages have proven themselves unreliable on several occasions—”

“They’re Savages! They’re meant to be unreliable. Their strength lies in that unpredictability. What has occurred is a matter of discipline and readiness, that’s all. These are easily solved in the field. I’ve seen to it with the taskers.”

“You will forgive me, but I must question your perspective on the Savage Legion as of late, particularly when we consider that conscripting a dissident Gen member is no doubt what spawned this rebellion in the first place!”