The 'Cosmodrome', as Declan called it, struck Aoba as another futile show of the war. If Declan had run hundreds of missions, many of them here, why did Earth's enemies still inhabit it? Had even a dent been made in what he called the Darkness? Aoba didn't ask, though. He was afraid of more disheartening answers.

Back at the City, in the Tower, Aoba watched the comings and goings and just... wondered. It had been a very full couple of days and there was plenty to think about.

"Hm? Oh, no," he managed when Declan nudged him from his meandering thoughts. "Nothing at all."