"I recommend keeping an eye on the troopers, but stay hidden and only engage in self-defense. Their mission today is delivering the vaccine—nothing else."
Tethong gives you a long stare, but doesn't reply as you continue down the street.
Next
The next hour is unsettling as you sit, under guard, at the edge of the rebel command center, listening to the progress of the Terran drop through the radio circuits of the rebels. There are several small clashes between forces, but it's never clear which side started the shooting. Mostly, though, the Astral forces are able to move unhindered through the town, and word gets back that the vaccine is indeed being distributed. Tethong and De Silva have both sent word to not resist the medical treatment, but you can only hope that the people of Free Lhasa comply.
The tension in the room suddenly rises, you notice, as new reports start to arrive of a large group of civilians refusing to accept the vaccine. You don't catch all the details, but it sounds like there are some rogue rebel commanders stirring up one section of the town. Tethong's cool facade is cracking, and you get the sense his control over his own forces isn't quite as solid as you might have expected. Then a new person arrives in the command center, wearing a different uniform and speaking in a clipped accent you recognize as Centauri. He's talking about the proximity of his own armored forces, and how quickly he could deploy them if necessary.
Tethong glances at you, then tells the Centauri to stand by. Grabbing a headset, the General has a quick and furious conversation with someone, then he abruptly scans the room.
"I'm going there myself," he declares. "I need to talk sense into my own soldiers." He points at De Silva and the Centauri. "You two are with me. And…" he points at you. "You as well. There are Terran forces closing in."
Next