"The monkey may have been preferable to the rabbit," Tseng muttered with a sigh. What a strange lot indeed. He preferred not to think about Rufus' brush with mortality. No, they hadn't found a cure, but regardless Rufus was now cured and healthy and safe. The Wutaian would do whatever it took to keep him that way, whatever the cost, as Rufus had said.

"I don't question your choices, sir. Fair was- ... is a capable soldier, one of the best, and I know he'll serve you well should he decide to join us." And it would be nice to have his old friend close at hand, though that wasn't something Tseng was about to voice.