They passed the honor sentries, and were past the first pick before we were aware. Ordinarily, we would intercept and detain, except we would have had to kill this lot, so that wasn’t an option. These are the kind that don’t risk capture, only death. We could have killed them immediately, perhaps should have, given what happened. But we would have learned nothing about their intended action. so we followed protocol. We intended to report back sooner, but we felt that speed was essential, to regain our surveillance, once we …

What did you see?
Strata, I saw… radiance.
Tell me.
It was light, my Strata. Bright, and shining. No man ever saw such light.
Execute him.
Strata. With respect, my rank entitles me to the charges.
Rank can be removed!

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My Strata, that is true, but I cannot believe that you would do something so cruel. Send me to the precipice, if you must. But to strip a man of his rank is to take his whole life, not merely to end it.
I see you’ve chosen for me the manner of your death.
Well, Strata, it …