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'And which ones are the easiest victories?' Willis again sounded sceptical. 'We have a bad habit of underestimating the levels of difficulty.'

'First and foremost, we go to the worlds settled during the Klikiss Colonization Initiative,' Cain said. 'They're fledgling colonies. No defences whatsoever.'

'More important, they're off the grid,' Basil said. 'They don't have green priests to spread the corruption, so they won't know about Peter's desertion or his sham government on Theroc'

'But… why bother? What do those worlds have to offer?' Willis asked. 'Not much in the way of resources or populations.'

'They are of strategic importance,' Basil insisted. 'Moral importance. We can use them as footholds for the EDF, anchor points with which to stop further attrition.'

Lanyan folded his thick fingers together. 'Right. We go straight to Rheindic Co - the central transfer point for the transportals - send teams through to the colonies, and easily add a few dozen worlds back to our score. It shouldn't take more than a small peacekeeping force to make sure those newbie settlers don't get out of line. It'll be fast and easy.'

'We've heard that before,' Willis muttered, earning herself a glare from the General.

Lanyan turned to the Chairman. 'Sir, I would like to lead that operation myself. Once they see the commander of the Earth Defence Forces, those colonies will never consider defying us.'

'General, isn't your priority to manage the shipyards and rebuild the Earth Defence Forces?' Deputy Cain asked.

'That may be a priority, but it's not my area of expertise. We need an army of administrators to watch over that mess.' Lanyan turned back to Basil. 'I'm a military commander. I proved my worth when we battled the robot-hijacked ships and when we faced down the hydrogues. Let me do what I do best.'

'And you're sick and tired of the shipyards,' Willis said.

'General, after seeing your recent report about the accidents, losses, and black market activities, I'm inclined to believe that you may not be the best man for the shipyards, after all.' Basil considered, then nodded. 'All right. Set up your team and go secure the Klikiss colonies.'

Lanyan could barely keep the relief from showing on his face. 'Given the import of the mission, we need to show that the EDF is making a significant effort. Perhaps a few Mantas are not impressive enough? I think I should take a Juggernaut.'

Admiral Willis made predictable protests. 'If you're just going to send peacekeeping forces through the transportals, what the hell do you need a Juggernaut for?'

Still without taking a seat, Basil turned to face his officers. 'The General's reasons seem sufficient to me. I'm hereby transferring command of the Grid 7 Juggernaut to him for this mission.'

'My Jupiter?' Willis was flabbergasted. 'And may I ask what I'm to do in the meantime?'

'I'm placing you in charge of the asteroid-belt shipyard. You can also help us strategize for our new recruiting drive.' He turned to Pike, San Luis, and Diente. 'You three, compile a list of the most useful lost colonies and your assessment of any particular difficulties we might have in conquering them.'

'I don't suppose negotiation or diplomacy is even an option on the table?' Willis said. Basil didn't bother to answer her.

Lanyan stood up, as if anxious to be out of the meeting. 'I'll depart within the next two days, Mr Chairman. I promise you I'll secure our Klikiss planets quickly and efficiently.'

Basil quelled his annoyance. 'Quick and efficient. Yes, that'll be a pleasant surprise, General.'

Nineteen

Orli Covitz

Driven by the breedex, the Klikiss never rested. Insect workers crawled over the ruins, using load after load of polymer resin to extend the towers, thicken the walls, and expand the alien city into a veritable fortress. Using strange machinery, an endless number of Klikiss labourers strip-mined the hills, and processed mud, sand, and metal ores into useful materials. A squat structure built