It is hardly mysterious that Julius looks worn out, when he tracks down Commander Flint. It's been an exhausting and difficult few days for everyone present, and Julius was in the thick of both the battle and the evacuation that followed. It's plenty, regardless of whether Flint has been briefed on Marcus's close call; if he has, he can make his own guess on how much it has contributed to Julius's fatigue.

It's not an easy time to arrange a private conversation, however, so Julius knows it's at least a partial inconvenience when he opens with: "Commander. Might I have a word in private? It is not an emergency but it is somewhat time-sensitive."

He hopes, at least, Flint knows him well enough by this point to trust that Julius is unlikely to waste his time.