Vreta would be lying if he said he was not conflicted. It seemed like an assumption that these people’s mental state would be recoverable, but if it was, then he would agree with Freyr. Though, that still did not make for an easy decision, considering the circumstances. “I can try to leave them alone where possible, but if they are in danger of killing an ally, I have to take action.”

Ultimately, the convoy could outrun anyone chasing them on foot, though not if they kept getting held up. He heard the discussion about the Skinner presence from the others below him. It concerned him how infiltration into the Cradle itself by a terrorist group was even possible to begin with. The Rothians had to be given approval codes to use their own harnesses, which meant that, for the Skinners to have access, they would need to have codes as well. That, or they had found a way to bypass Outremer’s security measures entirely. Either possibility was concerning. For as much as their government liked to project power, they seemed to have vanishingly little control. 

The obstacle that eventually stopped the convoy was a stark reminder of how the world around them, no matter how real it seemed, was a fabrication in a number of ways. Not only was it a simulation, not beholden to the rules of their reality, but the city itself was a facade on top of the Cradle’s true nature. On the road ahead, there was digital artifacting and a multicolored mist that obscured the way ahead. One of the Humans called it a “Terra-glitch”, but it seemed more like the simulation trying to correct the changes the Humans had made. 

Vreta let out a low growl under his breath as he looked around. Narrow pathways and massive buildings on all sides that restricted both movement and visibility, along with providing vantage points onto their current position…this was not a place they would want to spend any length of time. “Keep sharp. This position is prime for an ambush.” He said to the others.