"Incredible" he muttered.

"Just incredible" Arkos rolled the letter and spun it a few times in his hands while he thought about its contents. Finally he handed it back to the carrier, "Thank you, you are dismissed."

"No reply, sir?" the corporal asked, a bit confused at his captain's response. "I was under the impression by your second that a response would be sent out immediately."

Tikki, who was still sitting on the edge of the table facing Arkos, slipped off and stood behind him, playfully draping her arms around his neck. "Yes Arkos," she said with a mischievous grin. "No reply?"

The captain drummed his fingers across the desk, considering his options once more. "I have not the ability to change their course of action," he said thinking out loud. "Tell them that I am concerned about the wisdom in their actions, and that I cannot - and will not - intervene on any level. We will stand by here should safe harbor be needed. And that is all that you will tell them."

"Yes, sir," the young man replied. He issued a quick salute, pivoted about on his heel after stepping back, and left the two alone in the chamber.

Arkos shook his head in disbelief, "People are free to make bad choices I suppose."

"Bothers you still?" Tikki asked, rubbing his tense shoulders.

"It does," he replied.

"You were once like that," she remarked with a whisper.

"And looking back I have wished I had acted otherwise at times."

Tikki gently pushed against his cheek, turned his face to meet hers, and kissed him softly. "You are just adorable when you are concerned."