Besca’s head slumped down between her shoulders, and she nodded slowly. “[color=gray]That’s what I was afraid of,[/color]” she said. “[color=gray]‘Cause I have absolutely no idea what this means.[/color]”

With a tap she killed the screen, a few more saw the files resealed. The only eyes that needed to be on this now were hers and the research team—and even they’d need to be kept in the dark on most of this mess. There wasn’t [i]much[/i] to keep from them, but what secrets there were, were necessary. 

She stood back upright, cleared her throat. “[color=gray]Focusing on what we [i]do[/i] know—this is gonna break soon. Helburke probably already knows that’s [i]Dammerung[/i], and it won’t be long before some history buff gets a stable frame from whatever footage survived, and figures it out as well. That’s all…fine. Like I said, Saviors have been reclaimed before, and there’s no reason for anyone to assume that’s not what’s going on here. The only people in the world who know that thing spoke to you are us, and Follen, and for now I think we need to keep it that way.[/color]”

“[color=skyblue]But…[/color]” Dahlia muttered, face pinched in thought. “[color=skyblue]We can’t just do [i]nothing[/i]. He’s—[i]its[/i]—hunting her.[/color]”

“[color=gray]And it’s not gonna get her—not unprepared. Quinn, hun, for the time being you’re staying on the Aerie. If you go planetside it’s gonna be in [i]Ablaze[/i], alright? Hey,[/color]” she came over to Quinn, placed her hands on her shoulders. “[color=gray]I watched you take on a pilot and a Modir on your [i]first[/i] fight. You’re…[/color]” [i]Push through it,[/i] she thought. [i]She needs confidence, not regret.[/i] “[color=gray]You’re good, alright? You are. The next time this thing shows its face, you’re gonna make it wish it hadn’t.[/color]”

It twisted something inside of her to compliment Quinn’s piloting abilities. The whole idea was still revolting, and she loathed the idea that Quinn might begin to believe this was what she wanted for her. 

Besca hugged her, pulled Dahlia in as well, and then broke away. “[color=gray]Okay,[/color] she said, heading for the exit. “[color=gray]I’m gonna go lie to the Board. Starting now, I want you two to prioritize sims in your training. [i]Dammerung[/i] might be a Modir now but it still fights like a Savior. Deelie, she’s in your hands.[/color]”

“[color=skyblue]Y-yeah,[/color]” Dahlia said, managing only a small wave as Besca left them in the room. She sat down at the table, face still a mangle of confusion and worry, and squeezed Quinn’s hand. “[color=skyblue]You…you okay?[/color]”