"Frankly?" Togusa looks at Zee as seriously as he can. "You? No. Retrospec's leadership? Yes. In the absence of any communication from them, it's felt like every injury to us is all a part of the plan, and therefore, exactly what they want. At best it looks like they see it as an acceptable loss."

"This is why it's been so terrible that we've had so little communication from Retrospec. Without them giving anything of their side of the story? The narratives we end up telling each other take over. I'm positive the leadership isn't nearly as callous as we all think they are, but they haven't spoken for themselves. It makes your and Joanne's concern feel like the exception, not the rule."

Another skritch to the pup to calm himself down. "But I'm here and willing to listen because I know that can't be the truth."