Both Colonel Norrett and Miss Christen understood Major General Arngan's vague statement but took it differently. The Colonel was obviously glad to be on the same side as the General, but Miss Christen only saw that her problems had multiplied.
"Major General," Miss Christen called, still hoping for a peaceful resolution. "I assure you I bear no ill will. The Nognes family sent me here as a potential contingency, not an assassin."
"What you were doing to Mark looked pretty ill-willed," Major General Arngan pointed out.
"It was merely a restraining measure," Miss Christen explained. "It wouldn't have hurt the Colonel in the slightest."
Major General Arngan didn't really believe Miss Christen, but there was no point in doubting her. The issue was with the message hidden behind her explanation. Since she was willing to do that to Colonel Norrett, the General now faced the same danger.