Neil falls to silence. He does not give simplistic retorts nor does he offer consolation. There is no point in denial or comfort; one cannot get by on such things, not in the wasteland.

But there is the truth. The simple fact of things. Neil looks over at Alex, expression unfathomable. The words rolling around in his mind are not easy to say.

"You saved me." A pause. "Three others have said the same. Ruin comes with the territory--" With the wastes. "--but that isn't everything about you.""