(Disclaimer: I do not own Maze Runner. Updates and corrections 6/15/18)

In that moment even Teresa had a hard time reading Thomas. He just stood there expressionless with a faraway look in his eyes. Brenda looked down quickly and continued staring at the floor like she felt ashamed, humiliated or both. Teresa couldn't take her eyes off Thomas. He was completely drenched in water. As he stood there a puddle was rapidly forming around his feet. Aris was watching the interaction as he connected Thomas' donated blood to Jorge's IV. From the look on Brenda's face, which Thomas couldn't see, she wanted to be anywhere but right there. Aris called out to her from the other room for assistance he didn't really need. Brenda stood up abruptly. Keeping her eyes set on the floor until she was clear of Thomas and exiting the room. The door swung shut behind her. Teresa spoke.

"Tom are you ok? You're soaked."

Thomas smiled.

"Yeah, I'm fine. Just took a shortcut through a waterfall."

Aris knocked on the glass from the other side and gave them both a thumbs up gesture. Teresa nodded as she stood.

"Looks like Jorge is going to make it. All he'll need is rest and round of dermal regeneration, so he doesn't scar, and he'll be as good as new. We did it."

Thomas nodded still smiling at Teresa.

"Thanks to you."

Teresa shrugged.

"So do I dare ask how long you were standing back there before we noticed you?"

Tom's smile became more serious but didn't fade in the least.

"Long enough."

Thomas tapped a button on the adjacent glass panel and all the surrounding windows in the room turned an opaque white color. Thomas swept over to Teresa with a look of intensity on his face. Teresa was frozen in that look. It seemed both familiar and brand new at the same time. She'd always been strong. Always confident and in full command of herself, but in that moment she just wanted to give herself over to the authority in Tom's eyes. The utter surety that only comes after you lose something and find out what it truly means to you. Thomas was that revelation personified. He reached his arms around her waist and pulled her against him. He began kissing Teresa like she'd never been kissed before. Even their telepathy paled in comparison to the volumes spoken by his kiss. It wasn't the boyish kiss of the kid who entered the maze. It was the hardship-forged passion of the man who came out of it. She felt her legs coil around his waist as he lifted her up within their enthralled embrace. Thomas laid Teresa on an empty cot and stripped his wet shirt off over his head. There wasn't an ounce of fat on him. His arms, chest, and abs were drenched and glistening like they'd been carved out of marble. Teresa lurched forward unable to simply wait for his next advance. She threw her arms around him and began kissing her way down his lips, neck, and chest. Pouring kisses feverishly unto every inch of bare skin she could find. With her off hand, she grabbed Tom's knee and slid her grip up to his belt sparing no point along the way. Teresa spoke into Tom's ear forsaking telepathy for her own words to further consecrate the moment. She spoke in breathy tones.

"I'm for you... I always have been, I love you, Tom."

For Tom, hearing Teresa speak those last four words was like a key sliding into a lock.

A swirling flash of light preceded the memory blitzing through Thomas' head. It was the same memory he saw the last time Brenda kissed him only then he couldn't hear what Teresa was saying. Thomas opened his mind to Teresa to share the memory with her. In a split second the entire scene plays out before them...

*Thomas was standing next to Teresa in a field of wildflowers. She starts leading him by the hand. Teresa slips on something and is about to fall. Thomas tries to catch her but succeeds only in falling himself, pulling her down on top of him. Teresa lands on Thomas and the pair laughs. Thomas tries to sit up but Teresa blocks him bringing herself face to face with him. She says;

"I love it here Tom but we can't keep sneaking off. Jansen is already watching you like a hawk. If WICKED finds out about us I don't even want to think how they'd use it against us."

Thomas tried to sit up again. She foils his attempt the same way. She repeats herself.

"Are you listening to me? They already think you're a threat, Tom. If they find out we're more than friends they'll use it against us I just know it."

Thomas tries to sit up a third time, and Teresa blocks him all the same.

"Don't you get it? I'm your weakness, Tom. I'm their way in! They know I'll do anything to keep you safe. Because... I love you, Tom. Yes, I said it. Because I'm in love with you..."

Teresa relents after her admission and is about to stand when Thomas grabs her hips, and she falls into his lap. The pair is face to face with Teresa straddling him. Thomas hears his own voice speaking.

"Just remember who said it first."

Teresa cups Thomas' face as she presses her lips to his and kisses him deeply.*

The vision ends, and Thomas and Teresa are face to face on the cot back in medical. Teresa looked astonished.

"We used to come to Paradise before!"

Thomas' response was interrupted by the sound of someone turning the door handle. Thomas launches himself back onto his feet. Minho walks in followed by Newt. Minho spoke.

"Why is the privacy glass turned on? And what is it about this place that makes people think it's alright to go around undressed?"

Minho had that pleased look on his face like he'd timed his arrival just perfectly. Teresa spun her legs off the cot; stood and spoke up sternly.

"His clothes were soaked you jerk. He was just changing into something dry. We're immune Flare Minho, not every other common virus that can make you sick."

"Got it, so you're just using body heat to bring Thomas' temperature up. Do you want Newt and I to go get some warm blankets?"

Minho smirked. Teresa opened a drawer and threw Thomas a brand new Astrazyne outfit. It was the same formfitting reflective fabric that they used to wear when they worked for WICKED. Teresa glanced at the sad state of her clothes and took an outfit for herself.

"You can be such an ass Minho. Now if you'll excuse me. I'm going to get changed, and I'd appreciate it if you weren't gawking at me like you were at Brenda earlier.

*Take that.* Teresa thought.

Minho looked appalled.

"What?! Wait. No! I was trying to look away-"

"-Says the guy who's always in a hurry to walk in on us."

With the tables turned Minho was suddenly looking for the exit. Newt spoke up stifling a laugh.

"Right, -er right. SO, just so you know Gally's back, Griever's dead, and the party's on for tonight."

Newt followed Minho out the door calling back to the pair.

"And Tommy boy. Why not ask the nice girl to the dance? See you Shanks later!"

Thomas and Teresa took a less conspicuous route back to the unfinished hut they'd staying in the night before. Something about the pair of them walking hand in hand wearing the same outfits they designed the maze in made Thomas feel extremely self-conscious. They were almost to the hut when Tes crossed their path hurrying somewhere. She doubled back and wrinkled up her nose at them both calling out to them.

"LOOKING GOOD WICKED!"

She laughed smiling wide at them both making it clear she was just teasing. She slowed to a jog as she passed without stopping and spoke.

"Blindin' job today guys. I'll be looking for you at homecoming I'm gonna dance with both of you! See you later cutie, you too Thomas!"

With that Tes turned a corner and ran out of sight. Teresa looked at Thomas with her eyes set a little wider than usual.

"Did she just flirt with me?"

"I think she did. Should I be jealous?"

Teresa smirked.

"I mean she does have pretty eyes, but I think I'm taken."

Thomas could feel Teresa's body tense up just slightly as her lips formed her next question.

"Am I taken, Tom?"

Thomas' smile got brighter.

"Teresa, if you'll have me. I'm all yours."

Thomas ducked behind a hut pulling Teresa with him in one fluid motion. He started kissing her like he had before they were interrupted by Minho in Medical. Teresa was running her fingers through Tom's hair and clinging to him as she kissed back with equal intensity. Several minutes passed like seconds to them before Teresa had to come up for air. She took several quick breaths between peppering Tom's face with kisses.

"I guess you're mine then."

They continued walking. As the hut came into sight, they were surprised to see Jake and a Builder team around it. Thomas looked confused.

"Hey, guys what's up? I thought Minho said no more work today in honor of homecoming?"

Jake spoke for the group.

"Gally heard that you guys stayed here last night-"

*Leave it to Gally to give me trouble for climbing down a cliff so he didn't have to.*

Thomas thought as he braced himself for whatever hassle was about to come his way as Jake continued.

"-so he had us finish the place up for you both. He wanted me to tell you that you earned it. Both of you."

At that moment Thomas couldn't have been more surprised if he'd woken up with his face sewn to the carpet. Teresa smiled pleasantly at Jake and spoke.

"And here we thought we were getting evicted."

Jake laughed.

"Nope. Now you've got four walls a door, and that's just for starters, check out the inside."

Jake opened the door to reveal an interior that took Teresa's breath away. The dirt floor had been replaced with inch wide bamboo boards laid in an elaborate pattern that formed a series of increasingly larger squares radiating out from the center of the room. The windows all had solid wood shutters which closed and latched from the inside. There was a small wooden table and two chairs that looked smooth and polished somehow. A clay flower pot holding single purple iris sat in the middle of the table. The hammock had been replaced with an actual bed which sat in the far corner of the room. The bed frame was built out of white birch branches and looked to be supporting a real mattress.

"This is gorgeous! How'd you boys get all this done so fast?"

Jake looked pleased with Teresa's reaction to his crew's work.

"I'm supposed to say something like; aw shucks anyone could have slapped this together but honestly, my guys and I are just damn good."

Jake smiled confidently. Thomas spoke.

"I'll second that. Seriously, Jake, this is great. I don't know what to say. Thank you. Thanks to all you guys, so much."

Teresa stood next to Thomas and hung on his shoulder nodding approval of his sentiment.

"This is the first real house we've put up and our first attempt to add some refinements so it feels less like a prison barracks. Eventually, we'll all have our own places, I hope you two like yours. Uh sorry, there's only one bed we ran outta timber but if it's a problem we coul-"

"-It's not-it's no problem." Teresa interrupted.

Thomas nodded and spoke.

"Yea, you guys have done more than enough."

Jake smiled knowingly.

"Well, you deserve it. By the way, great job with Jorge Teresa."

"Thanks, Jake. For all of it."

"We'll let you get settled in. See you both at the dance later?"

Thomas shook Jake's hand.

"We'll be there."

The other Builders nodded and filed off with Jake. Thomas overheard one of them saying something about speaker mounts for the dance as they left. Teresa laid down in bed and let out a blissful sigh. Her overworked muscles collectively did the same.

"I may never get out of this bed."

Tom closed the door and walked over, kneeling at the edge of the bed.

"Teresa, will you go to the dance with me tonight?"

Thomas started brushing Teresa's hair behind her ear as she laid her head on one of the pillows. Teresa flashed a smile so bright that it could have lit up a small town.

"I guess I have to since-"

"-Since I'm your boyfriend now?"

"I was going to say since that girl with the green eyes is expecting a dance, but that's a good reason too."

Teresa laughed.

"I'm teasing. Of course, I'd love to be your date, Tom."

Teresa scooted over making room for Thomas on the bed. Thomas climbed up, sliding his arm around her as he laid down next to her. Teresa started tracing her hand along Tom's chest around the neckline of his shirt.

"Oh no, Tom. Did you remember that device when you changed clothes?"

"Yea it's in my hip pocket."

Teresa looked relieved and went back to tracing along Thomas' body. Thomas felt her delicate fingers searching for the device on top of his white Astrazyne pants.

"So, Should we?-"

There was a subconscious dichotomy to Teresa's question that became more evident the longer it hung in the air. She kept tracing her fingers slowly across Tom's leg.

"-Activate the device that is! Shit. I didn't mean that the way it sounded."

Teresa withdrew her hand from Thomas' thigh and brushed her tar black hair behind ear awkwardly. Tom grinned and spoke.

"Yes and yes?"

Teresa nudged Thomas playfully. Tom rolled onto his side and looked Teresa in the eyes. He held her gaze for several seconds before he spoke.

"I'm just so happy we're together. I mean, of course, I want all of you-"

Teresa could tell Tom was choosing his words carefully the way he did when he was really conflicted about something. The idea that it was about having sex with her seemed chivalrous to Teresa somehow.

"-but maybe tonight we can just enjoy what we already have. Save that for another day?"

Teresa nodded smiling at Tom. She'd always known Thomas wasn't the type to take something just because he could. The fact that he wasn't just doing the guy thing and pulling out all the stops to have sex with her the sooner the better made her proud of the man he was becoming.

"I think waiting sounds romantic Tom. Besides if we start doing that we aren't going to want to stop."

Thomas kissed Teresa on the forehead.

"Plus no one will want to be our neighbors."

They both laughed.

"Do you think I'm going to be loud when we... -You know."

"Oh definitely."

Teresa's eyes narrowed skeptically. She was eager to hear Thomas explain further.

"Ok Mr. Confident, what makes you sure?"

Thomas brushed Teresa's hair out of her beautiful face.

"You spent your life being so controlled. I imagine it might feel pretty good to let loose finally. Especially when we eventually are together, like that."

Teresa thought she was fully prepared to counter whatever theory Thomas had. As she laid their twirling her fingers on Tom's stomach trying to find any fault with his line of thinking she was forced to admit he knew her at least as well as she knew herself, maybe better.

"What can I say, Tom? Your logic is flawless."

A sexy half smile spread across Thomas' face.

"You don't need to say anything Teresa. I'm the one who needs to tell you something."

She raised her eyebrows looking confused. Thomas sat up more so on the bed.

"It's just that... I love you, Teresa."

There was something seismic about hearing Tom say that. It wasn't the first time he'd told Teresa that he loved her, even if he didn't remember. So Teresa didn't expect to feel those wonderful words so acutely. Thomas admitting that, felt like warm water poured over her soul. Teresa stared into Tom's eyes. She felt this primal energy gathering within her. Like her entire body was coiling up like a spring about to break free.

"I love you too Tom."

As the words left her lips, the spring broke free, and Teresa climbed on top of Thomas stripping off her shirt over her head.

Whatever self-control Thomas still had melted with the first glimpse of Teresa naked from the waist up. She was straddling him as she pushed his shirt up. Teresa started working her way across his chest. She had the slightest bit of suction in her kisses. The sensation felt amazing. Thomas couldn't wait to return the favor. If not for Teresa's superior position he knew he already would be. He could feel her body brushing against his ripped stomach as she spilled more kisses onto his chest. She used the flat of her tongue in creative ways that already had Thomas spellbound and daydreaming. Teresa reached out to Thomas with her mind.

*It's ok Tom I want this too, you don't have to stop yourself.*

Thomas pulled his own shirt over his head. Teresa untied a drawstring in Tom's pants and started pulling them down from his hips without success. His pants were hung up on something hard and unyielding. Her breath caught when she realized what she was dealing with. Her hands skimmed over it inadvertently as she hooked her fingertips into Tom's waistband and the pocket of his pants. Teresa was trying to gain any traction on which to pull so she could set him free. Teresa slid her body lower on the bed and steadily pulled. Thomas felt something drop out of his pocket. He reached to recover it. As Teresa did the same both their hands touched the device simultaneously and a mechanical voice boomed to life.

"Identities confirmed."

Teresa recognized the modulated voice as the same one she heard after waking up at WICKED. The device began sounding muted tones in rapid succession as it projected a holographic image several meters beside their bed. It was Ava Paige...

Ava Paige was sitting behind a large desk. The surrounding room was cloaked in total darkness as she began to speak.

(music to play for Paige's scene: Future Heroes - Sound and Fury)

"Hello, Thomas. Hello, Teresa... If you're watching this, then WICKED is gone. I am most likely deceased. And you and your friends, are now on your own."

Paige sighs.

"I know the trials were difficult and I am truly sorry. I need you to understand that because even though I considered all of you my children I... I favored you two most of all. With WICKED collapsing I feel more responsible for you now than ever. We had managed to shield you from the ugly truth that the Flare was just one of our lethal enemies. At least, until now."

A scene flashes of WICKED Bergs flying in formation. The Bergs fire a volley of missiles at a multitude of fixed-wing fighter jets while ground-based artillery fire on the Bergs.

"You grew up believing that WICKED was the sole power still functioning after the Flare."

The scene is replaced with a sidelong view of WICKED shock troops running towards tattooed, sword-wielding soldiers across a barren field. Both sides clash in the center erupting into a melee of energy pulses and blood.

"That WICKED was all-powerful and all-knowing like any young child believes their parents to be. But just as all children do, someday you have to grow up."

A third scene flash of three sleek black helicopters nearly invisible against the night sky. The lead chopper fires an energy based projectile towards a massive white structure that resembles a laboratory. A purplish plasma shock roils through what had been the force field surrounding it. The black helicopters fly through unimpeded. Flashes back to Paige.

"You've been insulated from the reality that we were frequently challenged by rival powers. WICKED always prevailed. Though it seems, in the final analysis, they have outlasted us. The location of your new home was one of our most closely guarded secrets. Unfortunately, there are no secrets that time does not reveal. It is critical to your survival that under no circumstances you allow it to be co-opted by outside elements. I can promise you, they will try. I have taken every step I could conceive of to protect you from those forces. All of which are detailed in this device you'll have by now."

Paige holds up the same device that is now resting in Thomas' hand projecting her image as a hologram.

"This is your Syllabus. We developed it to prepare you for the world you'll be living in without us. It is many things which I'll leave you to find out but suffice to say it's an archive containing the sum of human knowledge. Everything you'll need to restart civilization. But before you can usher in the future you'll need to secure the present. The Flare may have pushed WICKED's rivals to take desperate measures. That will make them all the more dangerous."

The hologram Paige looks each of them in the eyes.

"Thomas, Teresa; remember that the most powerful weapon is knowledge, so arm yourselves. Lead humanity to a better future than the world we left to you... And remember WICKED was good."

The projected image blinks out of existence leaving Thomas and Teresa holding hands. Thomas looks stunned; Teresa has tears in her eyes. Her voice cracked as she spoke.

"Sorry Tom. I didn't mean to activate it... I... I just got lost in you..."

Teresa pulled her shirt back on over her head. She was on the verge of tears with a pleading look in her eyes as she glanced up at Thomas. Thomas held Teresa tight.

"Shhh, shhh. It's not your fault... I'll make you a deal. You don't ever have to apologize for the things you do because you love me and I won't either, Deal?"

"Yes... I really like that deal."

She wiped away a tear from her cheek and held tight to Thomas.

"Good. It's ours then."

Teresa looked up at the blank space where the projection had been.

"I can't believe it's over. Then again if what Paige said is true it sounds like it's just beginning."

Thomas forced a smile on his face, but his eyes betrayed the worry he felt. Thomas didn't want to share his concerns yet. Tonight was homecoming and he and Teresa were exhausted from staying up all night before. Teresa was examining the Syllabus device as Thomas spoke.

"I think the world can wait one more day for us to figure out how to save it."

Teresa spoke.

"I know. Tonight's for us."

Thomas put his shirt back on and laid back down in bed.

"Teresa, I know you're tired too. Let's just sleep for now. We'll get some dinner tonight and then go to homecoming. It'll be like our first real date."

Teresa smiled.

"It's like our tenth date, Tom. You don't think I'd be throwing myself at you if we'd hadn't even had our first date yet, do you?"

"Not at all. I think we were both pawing at each other because... Because we're in love Teresa."

She set the Syllabus on the nightstand next to their bed and cuddled back up with Thomas.

"How is it you always say the right things?"

"Hmm, well I've been thinking these things ever since I met you. Now I get to say them out loud. So I guess I've had a lot of practice."

Teresa looked deep into Tom's eyes.

"You're perfect Tom. I don't know what I ever did to deserve you."

"Just for starters: you kept me alive, came back to me after I'd lost you, and loved me for the rest of my life."

Teresa gave Tom a slow, sweet kiss and spoke.

"Well I don't know if I'm quite finished with that last thing, but you're right Tom. I guess we're just perfect for each other."

Thomas and Teresa held each other as they drifted off to sleep.

Thomas hadn't slept so well in his entire life. He finally felt at peace. He was fully himself for the first time ever. He'd never realized before the energy it took out of him to contain his feelings for her. It was dark outside now and Thomas was so dead to the world that when he woke up he was instantly alarmed to see Teresa was gone. He sat up then bolted out of bed calling out to her in his mind.

*TERESA!*

Thomas heard a chair shifting inside the house. Teresa raced in from the kitchen knocking a basket of apples and bread across the table and onto the floor as she hurried to his side.

"I'm here! I'm right here!"

Tom walked up and embraced Teresa. She hugged then kissed him back.

You ok Tom?"

"Yea I'm sorry I'm fine. Especially after a greeting like that."

"What happened? Bad dream?"

Thomas smiled weakly.

"No, not exactly. I was just afraid the last couple days had been the dream."

Teresa put her hands over her mouth remembering the conversation they had just had the night before. That was why they'd both stayed up talking all night in the first place.

"I'm so sorry Tom. Some of the girls from B brought food by as a housewarming gift. I didn't mean for you to wake up alone.

Teresa felt this untoward but familiar feeling that she'd let him down. Teresa spoke.

"If I can make it up to you, maybe we could dine in?"

Thomas kissed Teresa's hand with a satisfied smile on his face removing any worry Teresa felt. Thomas spoke.

"Sounds good to me."

Teresa led Thomas by the hand to the kitchen table then doubled back to pick up the apples that rolled onto the floor.

"Care for dinner and a book?"

Just then Thomas noticed the Syllabus device on the table. Thomas took a bite of bread while Teresa spoke.

"So this thing is amazing. It has a virtual interface; voice integrated UI and a telepathic UI. Unless I miss my guess this is how we still have telepathy without our Swipes, Tom. The Syllabus has been acting as our hardware interface to the WICKED network even when it was in passive mode."

Thomas rolled his eyes.

"That's fascinating but isn't this a conversation we should be having tomorrow?"

"I know babe; I just want to get this over with."

"Babe?"

Teresa looked hugely embarrassed.

"I guess I said that yea. I know it sounds really corny-"

"-No, I love it."

"Really?"

"Yes really."

Teresa kissed Thomas on the cheek and took a bite of her apple. Thomas spoke.

"Ok, let's get this over with, but afterward it's all fun and no work, deal?"

"Deal. Syllabus, enable dictation mode. Display critical threat files."

"Acknowledged Teresa. Playback commencing."

Thomas had never heard the deep artificial voice before, but something about it sounded familiar, even benevolent to him. Each of the files played individually. They were read by a young woman with a crystal clear voice that neither Thomas or Teresa recognized.

Organization: Hyde

Geographic Origin: United Kingdom

Composition: Rogue British COG, Organized crime, Ex Military

Leader: William Wicks

Synopsis: Hyde was the result of a coup within the British government after it began officially supporting WICKED. British continuity of government (COG) officials who were already active due to various Flare related national emergencies advocated regional and national interests ahead of WICKED's global research agenda. Elements of the criminal underworld based in London partnered with COG for, among other things, access to the relative safety of labyrinthine bunker complexes COG controlled. Initially, the union looked to be marginal and short-lived until mainline validation came after WICKED announced the dissolution of all national governments pursuant to the signing of the 'World In Crisis' charter. Some elements from each service branch of the British Armed Forces joined Hyde shortly thereafter. Estimates as high as 42% of all pre-Flare British military personnel were ultimately folded into Hyde. Over time the military and government elements were assimilated into or adopted criminal culture. Their leader William Wicks and high ranking members of his inner circle claim a lineage going back to Whitechapel Mob.

Organization: Drakuza

Geographic Origin: Japan

Composition: Organized crime, Multinational Corporations

Leader: Tansho Tomoyuki

Synopsis: Drakuza is a derivative of the Japanese criminal organization known in the west as Yakuza. Numerous regional conflicts related to resource scarcity in post-Flare Asia spread Japan's military the JDF too thin abroad. While stateside various technocrats came under increasing pressure from an increasingly powerful criminal underworld insisting they be paid protection money. With local law enforcement seemingly overwhelmed by Flare related emergencies high profile multinationals began outsourcing private security to Yakuza street bosses. The Yakuza valued these early contracts and performed their duties honorably so as not to spook other potential clients. Over time every major hi-tech sector of the Japanese economy had been co-opted resulting in the hybrid organization known thereafter as Drakuza.

Organization: Mother Bear

Geographic Origin: Russia

Composition: Ex Russian intelligence, Ex-special forces

Leader: Pytor Lebedev

Synopsis: A Russian shadow government active for decades even before the Flare. It originated primarily from former Soviet espionage assets combined with Spetsnaz special forces. Though elements of both groups remain to this day over time Mother Bear expanded to become the vanguard of online crime. The cabal gained infamy for numerous acts of industrial espionage and global financial hacking. Even after a multitude of high profile international crimes ranging from international election fraud to cyber-attacks on military targets the name 'Mother Bear' was largely considered an urban legend due to their mastery of covering their tracks. Post-Flare Mother Bear came out of the shadows and dominated the former Soviet Bloc nations until it was largely destroyed by WICKED. After its military had been defeated rumors persisted that all Mother Bear did was go back underground and is still operating to this day.

Organization: Daedalus

Geographic Origin: worldwide

Composition: Scientists, WICKED defectors

Leader: Unknown

Synopsis: A group of scientists combined their research with the goal of surviving the estimated 140 years until the solar activity was predicted to return to normal. Unlike WICKED, they did not see curing the Flare as a priority. Electing instead to allow the disease to burn itself out while quarantining healthy survivors in the Daedalus super shelter. WICKED appropriated Daedalus' engineering techniques in the construction of both mazes for group A and group B. The adaptable megastructures were the hallmark of Daedalus whose underground facilities were supposedly impregnable.

Thomas and Teresa looked at each other both uncertain what to say. The silence was broken by the Syllabus.

"Playback complete. Would you like view the expanded files now?"

Thomas had heard enough.

"No, thank you."

"Understood Thomas. Playback concluded."

Teresa had a dozen questions bouncing around inside her head but could tell Thomas had reached his limit. Teresa spoke.

"Syllabus, resume passive mode."

Syllabus played another series of tones rapidly that grew successively quieter as it powered down at her behest. She looks at Thomas.

"Tonight's still for us, right Tom?"

Thomas smiled and nodded.

"Yea it is. We'll bring Minho and Newt up to speed tomorrow."