Legatus Scipio Trajanus pointed to the hologram hovering over the desk in the dimly lit office, "As you can see, we've had tests by Tyranid advance forces here, here, and here…though all points on the perimeter report heavy engagement with Gargoyles and other Flying Tyranid genotypes. The 3rd Legion is reporting no breaches of containment around Point Phobos." As he adjusted the controls, the hologram of the defenses ringing the ancient STC facility rotated, bright red arrows showing the locations of the ground attacks. The view zoomed outward to show the strip of heavily defended, six-lane highway that connected Point Phobos to the city of Parvati. Walls and bunkers had been constructed along its length to ensure the corridor between the two stayed open so supplies and men could be shuttled between them. "We've had two breaches in the corridor wall, here and here. However, counterassaults by the Commandery of the Ardent Blade and Kill teams of the Ordo Xenos sealed them quickly."
Trajanus paused and glanced up to the Inquisitor, who was sitting in a comfortable chair with his elbows on the arms rests, chin resting on steepled fingers. Gaius' eyes flickered over the information and nodded, "Casualties among the Sisters?"
"Few as I understand. Magdalena has been very shrewd," Trajanus answered carefully, "She's an extraordinary tactician…for an Sororitas."
The Inquisitor shook his head, "No, it's her new Palatine, Katherine. She's the tactical brains of the operation." He allowed himself a frown as he thought of the Order of Saint Celestine he had brought to the Planet. Magdalena had proved too shrewd indeed for him to manipulate, so now she and her sisters would need to be removed from the equation…Living Saint or not. "What about the city?"
The hologram zoomed out again and re-centered on Parvati. "Damage has been extensive. Lazarus' air defenses have put up a valiant effort, but it's just too large an area to cover. Residential areas were hard hit, particularly Sectors One, Four, and Five. No one has had time to make a census or count the bodies…but civilian casualties are likely over a million…"
Gaius waved his hand dismissively, "I'm not interested in civilian casualties, unless they become so great we don't have enough men to man the factories. What about the industrial sectors?"
Scipio cleared his throat, "The manufacturing sectors Nine through Twelve are in decent shape. Estimates are at eighty-five percent capacity…certainly enough to continue supplying the defense effort."
"Mycetic spore infection?"
"None detected in the city itself. Probably why civilian casualties are so high. Lazarus' anti-aircraft batteries concentrated on Mycetic spore suppression." Trajanus answered.
"Lazarus knows the old adage…The moment you stop to count the cost, is the moment you've lost." Gaius' face held the ghost of a smile. "Just to be sure though, send him a directive under Inquisitional Mandate. All workers in factories essential to the war effort are to be taken from their homes and billeted as close to the industrial sectors as possible. Have him clear out as many apartment complexes as he needs to turn them into barracks for the factory workers." Gaius inspected his manicured nails as he continued. "Then he is to concentrate his defenses on the industrial sectors. Moving the workers on the edge of the sector will include them in the concentrated zone of defense. We can't afford to lose key industrial personnel to casualties in the civilian sectors."
"Should we send some troops to help move the families?"
"Families? I said nothing about families. I only need the workers. No, the families will stay where they are."
The Legatus was silent for a moment. He had worked with the Inquisitor for almost a decade on Byzantium Nova, so he was aware of what sort of man he was…or at least he thought he did. Of course, Scipio had spent most of his time working with the Inquisitor on his home planet, around his own people. The Inquisitor's callous disregard for the civilians of Kali V twisted the soldier's stomach. He cleared his throat, "By your command, Inquisitor."
