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“We read the report you submitted,” Commissioner Viewick said. “You could have ruined our plans by removing those animals. That wasn’t your mission. This isn’t like you, Cleo.”

She lifted her chin, refusing to submit to the rebuke in his voice. “They were too valuable to leave with the Siblet. If we hadn’t taken them, they’d have found a way to use the gabblefoots camouflage abilities. If they succeeded, the lives of thousands would be at risk. Maybe more, depending on how many beasts they have.”

“That’s beside the point. The Siblet weren’t supposed to know we’d discovered their movements. You went on that mission to gather data and report back. Stealing a ship, the animals, and killing Siblets was off brief.”

“It was so off brief, it’s the kind of move a poorly trained Apexian might make in his first week of training.” Jagger’s gaze flashed to Hunter.

Cleo thrust back her shoulders. “I had to make a quick decision. If the Siblet figure out how to create the next generation of mutant beasts with camouflage, that could be the end for us. They’ve already got beasts with a poison Apexians can’t heal from. Imagine coming up against an invisible beast with that poison? We’d be defenseless.”

Jagger grunted. “Humans would be. Apexians can handle anything.”

“Apexians would be at risk, too. Imagine if the Siblet unleashed these invisible monsters in crowded cities? There’d be chaos. Nothing could stop them.”

“We understand the seriousness of the situation,” Jagger said. “But taking those animals was a mistake.”

“I disagree,” Cleo said. “And now I know there are still some gabblefoot in existence, we have to rush through a protection order for them. That will stop traders or poachers selling more to the Siblet. We have to cut off the supply chain.”

“No, that’s not what this meeting is about,” Commissioner Viewick said.

Cleo felt Hunter stiffen beside her.

“Without the protection order, any remaining gabblefoot are vulnerable. The Siblet have contacts in the illegal animal trade. They’ll put out a request for more animals. And the reward will be high. Every trader across the galaxy will be hunting them. We have to make sure they don’t get them. It’s vital we save them.”

“We’ll deal with that matter shortly,” Commissioner Viewick said. “This meeting is to focus on your inability to follow orders.”

Cleo gritted her teeth. No matter what she said, Commissioner Viewick would remain angry. She’d made him look bad in front of the Apexians, and it was time to pay for denting his fragile ego.

“We discussed the failed mission,” Commissioner Viewick said. “And we’re in agreement as to the next steps.”

Cleo lifted her chin, waiting to see what punishment he’d hand her. Probably more training. He loved sending her on refresher courses for things she could do in her sleep. It was just another way he could control her. Or maybe he’d send in an auditor. She repressed a groan. That would be a nightmare, but she’d handle it.

“You have an excellent service record, Cleo. The work you’ve achieved on the Apocalypse is greatly respected,” Commissioner Viewick said. “You have the highest retrieval rate of any of our conservation missions. Everyone looks at you to set the standard. Unfortunately, this time, your standard was unacceptable. You failed me.”

“We didn’t fail anyone,” Hunter growled out. “And Cleo figured this out on her own. She discovered the pattern the Siblet used to find new planets to hide out on. And she made a sound judgment call when we rescued the gabblefoot.”

“Silence, warrior,” Jagger said. “Mission orders are given for a reason.”

“The Apexian way is to fight to ensure victory,” Hunter said. “Sometimes, you have to go against orders when you’re in the field to guarantee success.”

“Don’t make this worse,” Cleo said under her breath. “I accept I made a mistake, but I was acting with good intentions. I thought it was the right thing to do to remove those animals from the Siblet.”

“It wasn’t,” Commissioner Viewick said. “Your reckless actions mean the Siblet will be even more cautious now that we know about their work.”

“Which is a good thing,” Hunter said. “If the Siblet take a break from creating their beasts because they’re rethinking their plans, it buys us more time.”

“What if they change their plans?” Commissioner Viewick said. “They might bring forward their operations. Or they might have already done enough experiments on the gabblefoot to utilize the camouflage ability.”

“We don’t know that for sure,” Cleo said. “I don’t know how they got those animals, but it could take them years to find more.”

“Maybe so, but that still doesn’t change what happened on your mission,” Commissioner Viewick said. “Cleo, you leave me no choice. I’m suspending you from duty.”

Her heart plummeted to her boots, and she felt sick.

“It wasn’t an easy decision to make. Until now, you’ve been an asset to our work, but perhaps I’ve pushed you too hard. I can’t afford you to get sloppy, not when so much is at stake.”

“This isn’t about growing sloppy,” Hunter said. “This is about you saving face and feeling a personal slight because your poster girl didn’t play by your rules.”

“Hold your tongue,” Jagger said. “We both agreed on this decision. Cleo screwed up. And Commissioner Viewick was clear she’s the example others follow.”