Vreta had logged into the seat of Outremer’s power in the Cradle, New Antioch. It was a gleaming city state of white gold towers and painstakingly terraformed gardens. Architecture from all ages and locations of human progress were present, from pseudo-ornate crenellations to modern skyscrapers. 

The only real ‘city’ of this size in the Cradle, New Antioch sat on the first available entrypoint for those brave first colonists, hundreds of years ago. When they first managed to enter the Cradle, a sea of darkness greeted them. So the settlers set about building a walled, brightly lit enclave from which to begin their expansion. It wasn’t much to start with, as they basically had to terraform everything from scratch.

As the human’s understanding of the Cradle improved, many scholars agreed that the most efficient way to expand Humanity’s access to the Cradle was to spread out across the landscape into power-rich areas. But New Antioch, or NA for short, remained as the administrative hub, and was gradually transformed from a ramshackle FOB into an impressive, compact example of Humanity’s terraforming prowess.

Freyr had mostly been based in NA’s Institute For Cradle Research since returning to work. It was a grand, dome shaped building near the centre of the city. The interior had been recently rebuilt using techniques considered least perceptive to the recent power surges. Freyr was considered a high value asset, so was strongly advised to remain within the relative safety of NA as much as possible.

Freyr and a team of scientists were busy conducting surgery on a live specimen from beyond the Border when her comms implant signalled a call from CraSec. Stepping away from the mutant body, Freyr accepted the call. “Go for Dr Lang.”

“Ma’am, there’s a Rothian by the name of Vreta’Sori here to see you.” Freyr narrowed her eyes for a moment as she tried to place that name. “Oh yeah! I know who that is. Can you put him through to me please?” When Vreta’s ID appeared in her HUD, Freyr tried to greet him warmly, despite how exhausted she was. “Good afternoon, Vreta’Sori. Long time no speak! I heard about the partnership, is that why you’re here? I’m at the IFCR if you want to speak in person.”