[ Communion with Aetós is strange. At first, Silco might think he’s being ignored, because there’s no sense of connection or presence that he’s come to expect, even from the Shard-Bearers that are more muted in their expression. Yet, Aetós’s voice comes through clear and calm as ever. It’s just devoid of anything else. ]

Lab. [ A correction, though a small one. ] Some parts were intentional. Some were not. I expected that they would come fetch Vander in one way or another, but the timing I couldn’t guess. I wouldn’t stop work because of that.

[ A pause, and then: ]

What makes you think I left them on purpose?