His shouts triggered a chorus of approval from the women. Even with the twins destroying their underwear, the women still liked Deimos better than Daniel.

The soldier from Knot 76 scowled at the twins before storming off.

The sight of Elara’s cheeks puffed out in supressed laughter set Romy off, and soon the entire knot was doubled over. There’s no way Daniel wouldn’t hear it, and that, perhaps, was the point. They were the lowest in rank, poorly motivated space soldiers who held having a good time in greater priority than being punctual, tidy, and professional, but they could pretend they didn’t care.

“Attention.” Commander Cronus’s voice rang through the room.

The whole room stood in salute in one movement, excluding the other orbito commanders.

“At ease.”

The soldiers resumed their seats.

“Our scouts have reported today that the Critamal are showing signs of mobilising,” he announced.

Romy, along with likely everyone else there, thought, So what?

The poachers mobilised every other day. Then the Orbitos defended, or attacked. The Critamal could blow up the stations, but in the time it took for their bombs to travel to the orbitos, retaliation bombs could be fired. Their technology and weapons were eerily similar, causing a stalemate that would likely last until Earth was inhabitable again. It was a deadly game and she couldn’t imagine it ending.

Unless more Critamal ships arrived. That was always a threat, and one that would tip the exact balance in favour of the Critamal.

“At this stage, they appear to be mobilising all units.” His voice echoed down throughout the room.

She sat up straight, listening closely. That didn’t happen every day.

“All units?” came Elara’s incredulous whisper.

“It could be a bluff,” Thrym added.

Cronus surveyed them with a calmness Romy had always respected. “All units are on standby until the threat is contained.”

Romy glanced at Thrym. It was lucky they’d cleared the orbit of debris today, or standby would be a moot point for their team. More often than not, Knot 27 was still expected to go out and pick up the junk despite lockdown alert.

“Spacewalks and external duties are suspended until further notice.” The commander looked over the rec room with dark, wrinkled eyes.

Those in the topmost positions were permitted an extended lifespan because they didn’t go into battle. The commander was over fifty. The same rules for health and fitness applied, regardless of his position, so he was fit. But he couldn’t completely erase the signs of age. And the uncommon sight of the age lines never failed to amaze her.

Romy felt sorry for High Command.