As Vreta gradually disappeared into the bed of black quicksand, a bright light shone through the clouds above. The Rothian doppelganger began floating up, like an angel of heaven. He stared down and sighed again at Vreta’s pained expression. 

“I’m sorry. For what it’s worth, I didn't want to do this. I can tell you want to help, but I can't trust you to follow simple instructions when it matters. You have all evolved too far.” 

The Navigator surveyed the Rothian agent as the black tar sucked up past his chest and lapped around his neck. His lizard head was all that remained, tongue noisily tasting the air. 

“It’s alright. We can fix that together, can’t we? Dispense with the other intelligences and bring life to the universe, side by side...Shhhh. Sleep now.” The Navigator soothed Vreta as he disappeared into the Cradle forever.

[hr]
Freyr choked herself awake in the big Vault harness. The harsh ceiling lights were partially blocked by someone running diagnostics on her panel. “These two are back. It’s ok, you’re safe.” Freyr kept breathing heavily, trembling softly. 

She looked round and found Vreta, staring into space but otherwise awake. Freyr looked in the other direction - 595 was still asleep in her pod, as was Major Osman. “Where...where are we?” Freyr asked, confused. 

“You’re in the Vault, ma’am.” The orderly confirmed, mechanically releasing all their inserts. 

“Drink this water, you’re very dehydrated.”

Water splashed down Freyr’s front as she eagerly quenched her thirst. Eventually, she turned her focus back to the Rothian. “Are you alright? Where did you go? Back there…”