Recovery

Exotica's and Velus's clothes had been incinerated, so it was easy for Astra to ensure that she thoroughly spread the ichor over their bodies, to ensure that they received the maximum benefit from its healing powers. Fred presented more of a problem, since his armour had buckled from the heat, and some pieces had almost fused together. She feared that it was too good a conductor of heat to have provided him with much protection. At least it was now cool enough for her to touch, so he wouldn't still be cooking inside it. Eventually she managed to prise away all the pieces, and then remove his charred underthings. Then she repeated the ichor spreading routine with him.

Once she had done all for them that she could, and saw that they now seemed to be all but free of burns, though without any hair left on their bodies, she waited for them to come round. But now that she had nothing to do but wait, she could not help but brood on what had happened. Once three of us were counted among the great, she reflected. And Velus has shown that he has a great heart. But look at what we have been reduced to now. Anyone who was observing us would see what appeared to be four filthy, naked savages. At least, against all expectation, we are alive. But how can we hope to achieve our mission now? Does it even have any meaning any more? Once I was the scion of a noble house. Now I am probably the last survivor of that house, perhaps even the last surviving Aqualarian.

1. The others regain consciousness.
2. Meanwhile...

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