Freyr blushed slightly, and laughed nervously. “Yes, I'm not sure what came over me. At any rate, I'm feeling better now. Thank you.” She stuffed in another mouthful of pastry and washed it down with the pink juice. “Good idea. I should address the team… Where do we meet?”

“There’s a leisure and shopping floor three below us. Skopec had us set up a temporary hub there.” Masgard jumped in. “Excellent. Let's head there now.” Freyr wiggled herself out of bed, suddenly energised. She declined her lab coat when Xandrus offered it, electing instead to wrap some of her breakfast in a napkin and shove it in the pocket of her trousers. She took one last drink then looked at Vreta. “See you down there. Lets go, Masgard dear.”

Most accommodation blocks in Réunion were self-sufficient, and run by a machine intelligence. This one didn’t seem any different, though the OCI appear to have muzzled the AI from doing anything other than the basics. Nonetheless, it welcomed them onto a large arcade level, filled with venues for entertainment and nourishment. All staffed by machines, naturally. Freyr waved to a gaggle of her team who were having a meeting at the sushi bar. Soldiers guarded every door.

One of the venues was a conference hall, which was already littered with portable consoles and other paraphernalia snatched from the Vault. Scientists of both species were pouring over holos or talking to each other. Freyr spotted Vreta near the entrance.

“Good afternoon, everyone.” Freyr announced upon walking in and strolling to the coffee machine. Most people stopped what they were doing. She surveyed the room as her hot drink poured. “I’m relieved to see everyone here in one piece. Including you, Dr Girard.” Freyr smiled at the researcher who’d taken a nasty knock inside the simulation.

“How is everyone holding up? A lot has happened.” She asked.