"Nothing unusual on this side so far, sir," the girl dutifully reports. "Just having a little trouble keeping my squad at attention."

Even as she speaks, she offers a fond look over at the mothkittens. Trapper and Tumble have already gotten into another scuffle, and Dart had taken sudden interest in some kind of insect in the tall grasses, positioned to pounce.

"Anything on your end, Echo?"