[i]”That could work. People who’ve been inside the Object would have recent scans already. I think we could all use a psych-eval anyway, we’ve been through so much…[/i] Freyr looked around, thinking.

She could tell people were scared, and trying to cope by reconnecting with their peers. She just couldn’t imagine any of them bombing innocents - so much of their situation was a mystery, and Freyr just felt ill-equipped to solve it by herself. 

She was glad of Vreta’s help, although he’d need careful management along with all the other interested parties. She couldn’t be certain any of them would favour the Cradle Dead over a new, shiny super weapon. 

[i]”I don’t know anything about the Skinners, I've never needed to. Surely we can find someone who does?”[/i]

Freyr looked back at the screen. “...viewers may find distressing.” The news had gone back to the studio, but quickly switched to cameras aboard press craft in orbit. The Barbarossa and an unfamiliar-looking Rothian craft were floating among a mass of radioactive wreckage. Colourful purple lights danced on Outremer’s upper atmosphere. 

Distraught murmurs and some colourful cursing filled the lab. Freyr bit her lip as her eyes scanned the scene; a tear escaped down her cheek which she promptly wiped away. It's not your fault, she told herself, unconvinced.