The first group of several hundred survivors was successfully escorted back to the base.
Julian Ford personally arranged for personnel to handle their reception, settlement, and initial screening.
He had expected Josie Quinn to return with the group, but he didn't see her.
"Cece didn't come back?"
"No. Jude Sheffield is with her in Veridia, protecting her. We're going to rendezvous with them and continue searching for survivors after we drop these people off."
Julian Ford frowned and nodded. "Be careful out there. And protect her. Come back as soon as you can!"
"Understood, Professor Ford."
Julian Ford watched as the superpower users departed once more. He had thought Cece would at least return once or twice during the mission.
But unexpectedly, two months passed in the blink of an eye. Josie Quinn's team was like a stream flowing into the ocean; aside from regular signals confirming they were safe and sporadic progress reports, there was no sign of their return.
