The pause while Julius processes all of this is relatively brief, though when he says, "You've been busy," it's really more a sign that he's still thinking than a response in its own right.

Once he has finished sorting his many questions in order of importance, the first real one he lands on is: "Practically, when Vael says yes," he agrees with Derrica that it's unlikely he can say anything else, regardless of his feelings, "Does Fiona have the manpower to make a real difference? The attempt to help without actual victory could come at a high cost."

He trusts that he's not bring up anything they haven't thought of already, but he does want to hear where they came out on it all the same. If nothing else, it's something he imagines Byerly might raise in short order.