[@Algorhythm]

	As Gregory chattered on, Ben simply looked worn out. He appreciated Zuma's attempt to deflect the questions, but with a subtle gesture, signalled that he would be all right. "What is your name?" he said, turning towards Gregory.

	"Gregory Stills, Investigator, second class," said Gregory, drawing himself up in pride.

	"Gregory, Elly Margaret is dead, along with Jacob and his parents," Ben said firmly, but not unsympathetically.

	Gregory's eyes widened in shock, and his mouth hung open.

	"I'm sorry. I don't like to be the bearer of bad news," Ben continued. "There was nothing we could do. Inspector Morris and I were on assignment the night they died, but we arrived too late."

	Gregory's face still showed his horrified disbelief. "Dead...? But... why? How?" he stammered.

	"Through no fault of their own." He hesitated for a moment, and crouched down, laying a massive hand gently on Gregory's shoulder. There was a sudden intensity in his gaze as he met Gregory's eyes. "Listen to me closely, Gregory," he began. "There is evil in the inner shell. Great evil. It's the sort of evil I'm afraid simple folk, like you or me, can't understand. It consumes the lives it touches, even those of people you know and love. Until now, it might have seemed distant, something that affects only strangers, but you must understand! Friends, family, neighbours, no one is safe in that city.

	"That's why we're here. All of us. People like Dr. Isaacs and Professor Hartwell who [i]can[/i] understand, and can teach us how to fight it. People like Tom Reitz, who have the skills to make that fight effective. And," he said, standing and growing slightly more animated, "people like you and me, or Zuma, or Morris or Krueger or Bones or any one of these investigators who are willing to lay down their lives for the sake of that same fight!"
 
	"Don't ever forget it." He paused, and sighed. "Because, for people like Elly and Jacob, we're all they have."

	Gregory stared at the floor.

	Ben clapped him on the shoulder. "Come now, we haven't lost everything yet. And we certainly can't have you lose your spirits. Let's see if we can't convince Carmina to serve you something a little more invigorating than that fruit juice."

	As he began guiding Gregory toward the bar, however, they were interrupted by a stir at the arrival of Dr. Isaacs, Professor Hartwell, and Tom Reitz.