He nods slowly, the idea now planted in his head. Sure enough, it keeps him from falling into panic or wandering off elsewhere. He glances at her repeatedly throughout your return trip. Bella is now staggering from side to side, barely being supported by Wind. You take a step forward to talk to her, but before you can reach, you see the familiar signage of the Dogs of War plaza. VVV is just up ahead.

You all slip inside after making sure that nobody is following. The barista is there as always, with fourteen cups of coffee in front of him. His smile fades when he sees far fewer than that number.

"Wind, what-"

"Later. Please. We're all tired, just..."

He grabs his boiling hot cup and downs it in one huge swig, then gives his spiky-haired friend an appreciative nod. You all head for the booth and return to the base without further disruption.

==

Once inside, all of you breathe a massive sigh of relief. That's the end of that, you think. Operation Augur was a painful success. You got what you came for, and so did they. However, something tells you that it's not quite over yet. A sense of foreboding is passing over you steadily.

"What now?" Ryan asks.

"Now, we get Bella straight to Squid. Then we wait for Liza before debriefing." Wind replies. He looks up to see ToyAgumon pushing a hover-stretcher towards the entrance, with multiple members already lying in wait.

You help load Bella onto it. Her face looks awful. Pieces are sticking up at odd angles, and jaggies form gaps that expose the wireframe. She clasps your arm as you set her down, but is too disoriented to say anything. You follow along as they wheel her to Squid's lab.

"Marnie." Wind calls, falling into step with you. "What happened to her?"

"I... used a piece of experimental tech. Doc gave it to me, in case of a DMIA risk. I didn't think-"

"Okay. I just wanted to know if it was intentional. As long as it is, we can work backwards."

He sets a hand on his chin to think.

"You're not mad?"

"No. She was falling apart, we all saw it. I don't think it's fair to blame you for... the entire state she's in. And you used it on her instead of saving it. You only had one?"

"I did."

"I just wish you'd tell me these things. I know you're not a member, I don't expect you to follow every order. It just helps me plan things out and create contingencies."

"Speaking of contingencies, what's going to happen to Lenny? Surely you have a plan for compromised members."

He shakes his head.

"No, I can house people without alibis like the body doubles, but we don't have the power to protect someone who's been marked. Liza is just going to have to bring him somewhere safe, and then he's on his own. I'll lock him out later. For now, Bella comes first."

"What about the dead guy? Do you have-"

"I don't want to talk about it." He stiffens.

You fall silent as you walk into the workshop.