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Singh felt an offer in the question This was the chance for him to say that he was out of his depth That he needed backup and help The te, but he couldn’t dismiss the fact that he was, in fact, coh to risk giving Sol systeerous part of the Teate and the hours ier the enemy had to exploit that period of vulnerability, the less the tiain thee he’d just provided

And still …

He st

arted to reply, but stopped when the bitter-leain Not now He sed furiously, hoping this would be enough to hold off yet another round of vo into his trash bin Trejo’s eyes widened hat looked like genuine concern

“Sonny,” Trejo said, “have you seen a doctor?”

“I the attack I sustained no injuries beyond a bruise on my knee and a bit of pride”

“That’s not what I mean,” Trejo said

“I’ll be fine,” Singh lied, but Trejo didn’t call hi ey before, but I findsuch a powerful tool behind”

“Understood I’ll be honest, I’ the tiy I like best But there’s nothing so far to indicate the locals have h consul thinks we can afford to pull the Teate early It does feel a bit like I’ out But there is exactly one fleet in known space that poses a threat to our plans here And it’s bottled up in the Sol syste Medina frohtto cause you any trouble a destroyer can’t handle”

“I agree, sir,” Singh said “We’ll hold and wait for the Typhoon’s arrival, or word of your success in Sol, whichever comes first”

Singh expected this to end the conversation, and waited for Admiral Trejo to stand Instead, the old htful eyes until the silence had become uncomfortable Etiquette dictated that he not close the interview until his superior disue smile

When Trejo spoke again, his voice was lower “Tanaka filed her report She’ll be boarding a shuttle shortly to take up a post on the Tempest”

“Oh,” Singh replied, hoping it came off as casual

“Don’t misunderstand me She’s a fine operator, and her experience is more than welcome there But if there are problems with her, I would like to knohat they are”

“I’h started, but Trejo cut hi his voice