Freyr leaned back away from Vreta’Sori. She didn’t like talking about her body. “Both - my implants are mostly geared towards helping me inside the Cradle. I don’t go on about it, but I see it differently to you. Having all these data overlays lets me understand it in real time. It's a gift and a curse really…”

She drifted off, then continued after a moment. “If I properly look inside my own head, I'm scared of what I’ll find. That is why I've avoided it for so long.”

“Doctor Lang!” A voice called. Freyr looked around, but couldn’t see the source of the sound. There was just the path they had departed from to sit on the side of the grassy knoll.

“Freyr!” The sound was closer this time. Freyr looked behind her and smiled with recognition when she found Dr Kim striding down towards them. She got up and the young scientist embraced her heartily, careful not to drop his stim-stick.

“I’m glad to see you up and moving. We were all so worried!”

“Thanks to our Rothian friends, I'm fine now.” Freyr replied. Dr Kim glanced warily at Vreta’Sori.

“We’re in a tent on the other side of this thing.” He motioned to the long, low hill they were standing on. “A bot just showed up with a big basket of fruit.” Kim laughed. “I knew you wouldn’t be far behind. Come, I'll show you.”

Together, they scaled the hill. From the summit they looked out over a small field with trees for shade on the edge of a river. An octagonal grey tent stood in the field, with a few people Freyr instantly recognised conversing outside.

“It's good to be out of the safe house, even if this place is just an illusion of space.” Dr Kim sighed contentedly as they strolled towards the tent.

“Some of the team want to leave for good though - they’ve had enough.” He warned, shooting his superior and mentor a glance.

“I can hardly blame them. It is my fault we’re in this mess to begin with - i’ll talk to them.” Freyr responded.