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marines will miss the target altogether and float off into space.”
    â€œThe GD is by no means a perfect system,” said Vaganov. “Unfortunately, it’s the best we have at the moment, and time is running short. The loss of Copernicus has the world in an uproar. Confidence in the IF is at an all-time low. This is a delicate situation, Mazer. If we appear weak and inept, we could lose support from superpowers like the US and China, whose taxes fund the Hegemony and the IF. That would only leave us weaker than we already are.”
    Mazer nodded. He understood the state of things.
    â€œThat’s where you come in,” said Vaganov. “The Hegemon wants to announce new tech in our arsenal to put people’s minds at ease, something that shows we’re prepared for the fight ahead.”
    â€œThe gravity disruptor,” said Mazer.
    Vaganov nodded. “The Hegemon wants to unveil it to the press. The capsules and the GD will illustrate that we can strike the Formics to the heart.”
    â€œThat’s premature,” said Mazer. “And misleading. We don’t know that the GD will work. In all likelihood it won’t.”
    â€œThat’s not the point,” said Vaganov. “The point is to provide the perception of strength. Whether the GD sees combat or not is irrelevant. The Hegemon wants to give the press a dog and pony show, and that’s precisely what we will give them.”
    â€œHow?” said Mazer. “The engineers haven’t even begun testing live charges. We’re still practicing with dummy cubes.”
    â€œNo more,” said Vaganov. “Tomorrow morning you will begin testing with live charges.”
    Mazer couldn’t hide his surprise. “Sir, every computer simulation thus far has shown that the hull’s integrity responds in unpredictable ways. Cracks form outside the detonation zone. Shrapnel is heavy. The engineers are still calibrating the device. They’ll tell you it’s not ready.”
    â€œI have spoken with the engineers,” said Vaganov. “And I have given them my instructions. They’ll be ready.”
    â€œThey assure you they’ll be ready or you have ordered them to be ready?”
    Vaganov’s pleasant expression fell. “Careful, Mazer. You overstep your bounds the moment you question my orders.”
    â€œSir,” said Mazer, “with all due respect, testing the GD on human ships teaches us little about how the Formic hull material will react. We’d be testing on watermelons and making conclusions about bowling balls.”
    â€œThat fact is not lost on me, Captain. But we don’t have Formic ships to practice on. The scout ship is property of Juke Limited, and they won’t grant us access.”
    â€œIf any piece of the GD malfunctions,” said Mazer, “it would alter the direction of the tidal forces at play. The results could be disastrous. Shards of hull material could burst outward and cut through my team like paper.”
    â€œI am aware of the danger,” said Vaganov. “As well as the challenges of the task. That is why I’m employing my best team. You’ll begin tomorrow at 0700. My aides will forward you the particulars.” Vaganov turned back to his desk.
    It was a dismissal.
    Well there you have it, Mazer thought. Vaganov was no ally, after all. In fact, he might even be more dangerous than the bureaucrats, for he was willing to needlessly endanger soldiers to please his superiors.
    â€œPermission to submit a formal objection,” said Mazer.
    Colonel Vaganov didn’t look at him. “If you feel the need to cover your ass, Mazer, by all means do so.”
    It was all Mazer could do. He straightened, saluted, and was out the door without another word.
    *   *   *
    Mazer’s team set out the following morning on schedule, with Mazer leading them in his capsule. Their destination this time was a C-class