"You'd figure those Inner colonies would be smart enough to fight one war at a time. Christ, how people treat it like a sport." But so is the way of human society; those in power continue reaching even as their unearned granules begin to slip through spread fingers. They lose and lose and ask themselves why, too blind and dumb to simply cup their hands.

Chewing her lip, she considers asking Connie about her mothers. The words inch toward the tip of her tongue, goaded by gentle curiosity, 'what were they like? How'd they navigate the world?' but she swallows them back. Later, maybe. Somewhere less... public.

Ripley's brows crease, equal parts fascination and wariness playing onto her features. Never did she imagine wormholes could be created. Somehow the science feels wrong. A reach too-far into technological advancement. "Does that ever backfire? I'd be terrified to go in expecting one thing, then coming out somewhere completely different. They aren't exactly predictable, are they? Honestly it's a risk I'm surprised any pilot is willing to take."