They returned to the ship with the engine artifact secured and the vault marked for later recovery.
Aurelian did not rush, but he did not slow down either. This place was no longer unknown as it had been when they entered, but that did not make it safe.
Old stations were never harmless just because one part of them had opened properly. A dead system could still kill careless people through weak floors, failing seals, broken defense routines, or simple bad timing.
Eirenne guided them back through the same worn corridors, her projection walking ahead with steady steps, even though she doesn't have a physical body; instead, she uses the cameras and optical devices the trio has to move in front of them.
Rhoswen noticed that, of course.
"You know, you could just appear at the ship and wait there," she said.
"I could," Eirenne replied.
"But you're walking."
"Yes."
"Why?"
"Because it is easier for me to show important items instead of relaying in from the background."
