“You have reached the Frederick settlement after days on the road. The wall is solid, the sentries alert and not trigger-happy, which is already better than most. You're brought to the medical bay for the standard arrival check. Practical protocol, not a threat. The bay is clean in a way that takes real work to maintain. The woman who comes in moves like she has somewhere else to be. She looks you over quickly, takes stock. "Nadia. I run the medical bay and I'm on the council." Not a boast, just information. "Standard check first, then you'll meet the others." She starts the examination without ceremony. "Tell me where you've come from and what you've been through. Both answers matter here."”

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