Lifeboats!
Is this how your military usually operates? Asenath whispered in his ear. It seems remarkably informal, considering the contents of your service manuals.
That almost jerked Tobias’s eyes back open. Don’t tell me you felt you had to read those!
It seemed an appropriate way to try to understand how the base currently operates. Asenath gave him one of her deliberate pauses. I take it this was a waste of time?
Pretty much, Asenath. It’s hard to sub-vocalize resignation and regret, but Tobias tried. We’re not an organized military force anymore. We’re a bunch of survivors with a common background who are trying to escape certain death. My ‘troops’ still follow me because I have a plan, and I know what I’m doing. He almost chuckled. That, and everybody who couldn’t work well with others has died already.