"Cheers to that," Saturday says, nodding approval. "The world sounds well rid of them."

She's not going to tell Stacia not to beat herself up, that she isn't responsible; why would she, when she holds herself to the same standards? She's gonna blame herself for the hive run going sideways and everything that followed until the end of time.

But there is one thing she can say, and does.

"You lived and you got your own back. Next time, you'll do it better. That's all you can ask." She bites the inside of her mouth. "Being one of the survivors sure can suck, though."