hang on john, we're out of this at last

This wasn't what either of them had worked for - not any of their colony members, either.

Of course the other colonies would misunderstand. Of course they'd never take two straightforward, simple-minded providers at their word.

Collusion from the likes of Valdi or Alexandria? Much more likely. They were young, but they had cunning, ingenuity that all of Aionios knew.

No one thought much of a couple of tenth-termer commanders whose associates were always falling.

They just thought them easily dispatched with, and they were right.

So Isurd and Zeon died as workmen, trapped in saboteurs' war.

"We did it...together."