Written for Kernezelda. Spoilers for PKW. Thanks so much to StarsGoBlue for betaing this!

---

"Has he said anything further to you?"

Sikozu sighs. "For the tenth time, Captain, he has not."

She perches on the edge of Braca's wide desk, one booted foot swinging idly. He watches with thinly veiled impatience, tapping a stylus against the datapad in front of him. In his eyes, she thinks, she is an irresponsible child, and she has no place here.

But when Scorpius had given orders to flee, he had explained his reasons to her first.

"You must know it looks . . ." Like cowardice? Like treason?

She shrugs one shoulder. "You are a soldier, Captain." He reminds her of a boy trying desperately to look older than he is, but succeeding only in looking pompous. And that ridiculous goatee does not help his image at all. "Your duty is to follow orders."

"That is Scorpius' duty, as well." Born and bred within metal walls, he cannot conceive of strategy that does not conform to narrow Peacekeeper regulations. "We were ordered to the sector by the Chancellor himself."

She tilts her head at him, hiding her own doubts. Scorpius' attention to Crichton has always been close to obsessive, but this is strange even for him. "Crichton's knowledge could tip the balance in this war."

"If he chooses to help us." Braca twirls the stylus nervously in his hands, before realizing what he's doing and setting it down with a forceful clink. "He has been less than helpful in the past. It is a slim hope at best, and cannot possibly excuse desertion in the heat of battle."

The corner of her mouth twitches. Braca's primary motivation has always been his own survival and advancement. But Scorpius would not keep him in such a position if he had reason to question his loyalty.

She does not think she has misjudged him. "You have served with him far longer than I have." Scorpius' confidence must mean a great deal to him, still. He is selfish, and ambitious, too--but his loyalty to Scorpius in the past was more than expedience, else he would not resent her presence so. "Surely he has proven, by now, his dedication to our victory."

She leans forward, ignoring Braca's exasperated glare. "There cannot be a regulation for every situation you may encounter." He could make things very difficult for them, if he insists on clinging to regulations now. "Sometimes, you must simply have faith that your commander knows what he is doing."

It is not what she was trained to believe. And in the beginning of their relationship, she'd been so sure she was in control. That making Scorpius her ally was the best way to further her own cause. But she is no fool, and she has since realized he is the one in control, using her for his own ends.

She tells herself those ends are the same as hers, so it does not matter. But is this a rational assessment of Scorpius' usefulness to the Kalish, or an emotional desire to trust him?

Braca looks away, lips pressed together, so he does not see her doubts. "One of my former superiors said something similar, once."

She watches him, serious, calculating. "What happened to him?"

His voice is flat when he turns to face her again. "She put her faith in the wrong man."

Eyes narrowed, she frowns, folding her arms. He is not convinced. She is not certain she is, either. But the decision has been made. The battle is over, along with their chance to affect its outcome. She says firmly, "Scorpius knows what he is doing."

She can see he is unnerved, despite his attempted arrogance. His eyebrows go up and he asks softly, "Do you?"