"Welcome lounge is at the end of this hall, keep walking all the way through, the hall bends right, keep going through the room there and we'll take the elevators down," Kate says offhandedly, making it obvious the reason Thrace waved her through isn't because she's generally competent. More like a frequent flyer.

She lets Kate go ahead of her, because the ITF keeps this level in good repair and pretty well lit. A lot of people end their tours here. They won't, and Kate will take a lead then, but for now, letting other-Kate have her head is safe and it'll take the edge off the urge to wander later.

"Never met him, unless he was just one of the thousands of guys I met in passing. Kinda think he was part of some resistance though. More my type than a government honcho, you know?"