Tom remained aboard the Ranger, standing in the commander’s hatch while Hanley talked with the guards at the base’s gate and presented their "orders." Supposedly Kit was doing something to magically disguise Tom, but they’d all agreed not to rely on her spell. Kit’s strength was stretched blurring the unit patches of Hanley and his men just in case word had gotten out that Task Force Furlann, now once again Task Force Rocquette, had gone rogue. Kit’s illusions didn’t stretch to the runners and the captive mage hiding in the cabin, so there was added incentive for Tom to stay put. He tried to look serene and above it all, while hoping his rank pips would sufficiently intimidate the squaddies at the gate that they wouldn’t dare look inside the command car.