Across Earth, Mars, Proxima 3, and dozens of other Earth Alliance colonies and stations pantomime broke out following the end of ISN's latest broadcast. Millions of faces turned to blankly ask their neighbors if it was true, if it could really be real. Only a handful of humans knew better than doubt the broadcast's authenticity; of those some reacted with fear and anger, some with relief and hope. The woman with dark hair sitting at the back table, half concealed in shadows, was a member of this elite. In the chaos of confused voices all she said was: "Well, finally."

The blond woman across from her lifted her face; her illusions, hopes had already been stripped from her.

"Its true isn't it?"

"Yes."

Talia had no reason to have expected an answer to her question from the woman before her, but she did not doubt the veracity of the response she was granted. Whoever Alisa had become, Talia recognized the girl knew far more, was far more, than all of those around them.

"Let's get out of here," Alisa said. "Someplace a little more private. How long can you stay out before you'll be missed?"

"Early morning; 0300 or four at the latest."

Alisa offered Talia her arm as if they where merely a couple on a date. Talia's fingers bunched the dark fabric as she gripped Alisa's arm. The two figures, light and dark, slipped out into the streets.

"Stay close," Alisa warned as she guided their walk into dark alleyways away from prying eyes. She disengaged their arms, keeping one hand in Talia's glove and fingering a small metal cylinder with the other.

Alisa drew Talia back against the edge of the alleyway, their backs gliding against the wall as they moved forward.

"In here," Alisa said, prying open a maintenance hatch with some effort.