It takes a few moments for your eyes to adjust, but you're standing at the entrance of the main living room of a typical residential house. Seated facing you are a man and a woman, both middle-aged, both staring at you with intense curiosity.
There are a few other officers standing behind them.
"You may remember," the soldier says, "Councilor Reena De Silva."
You remember only too well the Councilor, and the battleground her street became on your first vaccine mission. She glares at you coldly.
"I'm sorry," you say simply.
"And this," the soldier says, indicating the man, "is General Tethong, leader of the rebel movement."
You stiffen instinctively, although whether from respect or fear you're not sure.
"Sir," you say.
"Welcome, Trooper," he says.
Tethong sits back, looking at De Silva before turning his eyes back to you.
"So," he says, "you wanted to speak to us." His gaze upon you is fiercely skeptical. "Why should we believe that this is anything other than a trap?"
"Do you think I'd do all this for fun?" you blurt.
"No, but I think that Astral Intelligence is a cunning, slippery beast that wouldn't hesitate to use its own people as pawns." He looks you up and down. "Why should we trust you?"