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"Listen up boys and girls" the Mzeusian shouted, striding into the canteen. "As you may have figured out by now, the Thoonians are gearing up for something. They have been getting more equipment, both military and non-military, they have been disciplined more firmly and their shifts on watch have been switched to and fro like they have no idea how many hours they want to stand out there." the general pounded his fist into his palm. "We must respond appropriately, to ensure that we maintain Mzeusian safety. We are unsure how long these Thoonian tricks will continue, but we have requested back-up, and the shifts will be shorter, so you don't get all bored. Any questions?"

There was silence in the canteen, until Arinadia raised her hand.

"Yes Kinephon? the man said.

"How much back-up are we talking about?"

"Not much. We don't want to spook the Thoonians into action when that may not be their plan, but enough so that if the enemy does decide to have a crack at us, we can inform the Telumas, and the nearest army division can have time to receive and carry out any orders they are given." The general looked at the rest of the guards. "Anything else?"

A few mumbles of "No" came back, and the man nodded before marching outside.

The day was tense, and every activity on the Thoonian side was monitored. The Mzeusians were understandably nervous, and as Arinadia sat in one of the makeshift huts that had been built along the fence, she wondered where this would all end. If either side interpreted the other's moves as aggressive, a conflict might very well break out. If she came face-to-face with Mikhail during a fight, she wasn't sure she could shoot him. She just hoped he wouldn't shoot her, but she wasn't sure.

The day went by without incident, although the atmosphere was sombre on both sides. Arinadia got a few glimpses of Mikhail, but the Thoonians were too busy preparing for whatever they had planned, for them to do much. It was during her night shift, when she and the other Mzeusian in the observation room, that something happened.

From the observation room, they could only see part-way into the Thoonian compound, and because of this, they didn't spot the car before it was already inside. The headlights heralded the arrival of the car, and as it rounded the corner, Arinadia put to binoculars to her eyes. From the bear paw on the license plate, the car was from the Thoonian government. When it came to a stop, she focused in on the passengers. There were four men in the car, a driver, a Brigadier, and two ordinary Thoonian soldiers. The brigadier meant business.

Arinadia watched as the Thoonian officer who ran the place, came out of his hut, and greeted the men. It was clear that he was greeting a superior, from the way he spoke last but extended his hand for a handshake first. The brigadier nodded at something, glanced over at Mzeusia, and accompanied the Thoonian into the hut.

Reaching over to the table behind her, Arinadia picked up the phone and rang the general. "Hello sir, it's Arinadia. A Thoonian brigadier and two Thoonian soldiers have arrived." She watched as the car was driven away and around the corner.

"Good to know." the man growled through the phone.

"Should we be worried?"

"I don't think so soldier. If they haven't brought anymore supplies, they probably aren't getting ready for an attack. Remain as vigilant as you have been, but there is no need to get even more worked up."

"Thank you, sir. Goodnight."

"Goodnight soldier. Keep me posted if anything else happens." he said, before hanging up the phone.

Arinadia sighed, staring at the tracks in the snow the car had left.