"Desperation can make for strange -- and stupid -- alliances," Kaidan opines, with a shadow in his eyes that speaks of memories beyond just the decisions being made on base.

"But, like I said, I'm doing my best to be as uninteresting as possible. Especially since a member of the Star Creche has turned up to take over the project personally," he shares news of this high-value personage as he takes careful steps further into the muck heap, unavoidable as the margins of the heap shrink. "Haut Sei, Navarr constellation. Don't ask me what she looks like, there's a force bubble involved and I can't parse whether it's a mobile form of purdah or if mere mortals can't gaze upon her. Or both."