Freyr’s eyes flicked up to study Vreta from over the bridge of her AR glasses. She was leaning forward over a console, getting reacquainted with the HQ’s unique connection to the Cradle. The Object was in the staging area just outside the Vault, where the Cradle was kept. She flicked through some cameras, but couldn’t concentrate right now.

A sizable complement of her division, the majority of those who had stayed behind on Outremer, were already in the lab when they arrived. There had been some relieved hugs and many of her team were still catching up with each other, sitting on tables or lab equipment. Someone had brought her a cup of herbal tea.

Freyr sighed and picked up the cup, raising it to her face and letting the hot vapours waft over her. She still looked at Vreta as she drank, across the bank of computers from herself. That Skinner had really scared her, saying her name like he knew her personally. The prospect of others like him living and working all around her sent shivers down Freyr’s spine.

[i]I suppose you’re right. But why would they do such a terrible thing?[/i] Freyr felt grateful for implant comms right now; she didn’t feel up to the task of verbal speech right now. She sat down on the swivel chair behind her.