Before KANE and BLOODORY can leave, however, a LIEUTENANT approaches and addresses COMMANDER KANE.
LIEUTENANT: Sir, we have Emperor Amedda standing by on a secure frequency. He wants to know why the full-scale invasion hasn’t been launched, and demands an update.
KANE: (frustrated) Very well. I’ll be there in a moment.
KANE motions for the LIEUTENANT to return to his post, then turns to DR. BLOODORY, who looks concerned.
BLOODORY: This is what I feared. One of the subjects from the mines would have sufficed perfectly well for my test. We would be on schedule had you not insisted on using Oxus.
KANE: Choose your words carefully, Doctor. Oxus challenged me, and had to be put in his place. We will allay the Emperor’s concerns. It would be best not to mention anything about the disturbance; we’ll take care of it.