"Eight, counting myself," he answered easily. It was surprisingly simpler engaging with Aspel when they could discuss strategy; Rictor was uncharacteristically skittish and shied away when the topic was personal, when it was their strained relationship and the gaping void between them. But the Dark and how best to eliminate it? That, he could do.
"But one of the fireteams—sorry, I mean four of the Blades," it took some effort to suppress the instinctive terminology of his Order, "they're on call for something else at the moment. But I put out the message to bring 'em back to the Cathedral and stand ready for this. They should be back within the week. Let's hope nothing goes to shit before then, eh?"