The full, unwavering intensity of Rush's attention snaps back to Yuri, his eyes narrowing in the unspoken query of how much he might know about that particular systemic collapse. Apparently the news of ROMAC's downfall has spread quite quickly, he notes with private satisfaction. Yuri, it seems, was not terribly impressed by ROMAC's network of operations either.

"Oh, yes," says Arista, claws sinking into the wood with a vicious, pleased expression, having evidently determined general knowledge of Rush's involvement to be largely immaterial. "We had quite a hand in that little incident."

Rush looks at her with one corner of his mouth twitching in what could not in any way be construed as a faint smile.

"I do hope you weren't fond of them," he adds, drawing out the words indolently.