I'm not surprised when Syd appears only a moment later, Max at her side. Femke laughs and hugs her, her greeting wiping the scowl of determination from my friend's face.

Syd grins sheepishly as Femke releases her. "I thought you'd put up a fight."

The European leader shakes her head, patting Syd's cheek. "I know better. Besides, I had to create at least a show of being impartial." She turns to Gwendolyn and Finlay. "Thank you for ...