“We’re on the [i]Faultless Spear[/i], our cruiser in orbit. We’re safe here.” Vreta answered softly. “We managed to get out of the arcology amid the attack, if only just. The fires consumed many of the upper floors, before they got them under control. The dropship that evacuated us brought us straight up here, and we’ve been here since. Everyone on both science teams received the best medical treatment we could give them, and there have been no deaths. At least no one who came up here with us. I haven’t heard any details yet about casualties on the ground.”

Vreta was interrupted for a few seconds as the medical drone floated over to fulfill Freyr’s request. It produced a bottle of water, made from polymer with a straw built-in. Vreta waited for the drone to return to its dormant position before continuing. “I know what happened down there was stressful for…many reasons. I’ve already been debriefed on my experience, and I’m sure they’re going to want to do the same for you, but you don’t have to worry about that right this second. You can rest and recover. Catch your breath. We weren’t really able to bring our belongings with us when we evacuated. I don’t know yet exactly how far the fires spread. They’ll send word if there is anything we can recover. In the meantime, Marae did stop by earlier to bring you some clothes she got for you. I told her you would probably want some while you are here, but, umm…”

Vreta rubbed his hand over the back of his neck as he awkwardly gestured to the table beside her bed. Laid out on it were a few garments that seemed to have been picked out by someone with absolutely no concept of Human fashion. There was a fine, expensive green suit jacket, a pair of baggy, tie-dye cargo shorts, dark blue dress shoes, some nearly knee-length rainbow-patterned socks, and to top it all off an exceptionally wide-brimmed sun hat with a fake feather.

“I, um, think she just liked the colors.” Vreta remarked, clearing his throat. “We can get you some more, in a little while. Things are still a bit chaotic.”