She hates to talk of it, but there's no use hiding from the path that the Merchant has been driving them all down. It's always been a precarious state of being–a family in transit–yet the closeness is no shallower for it. The loyalty will be lifelong, for however much longer that is, if Vanessa's memory will remain her own. She hopes that Red will remain a presence in her heart until the very end.

"That is the hope."

She doesn't blame Red's lack of enthusiasm for the idea. If Vanessa didn't have to go...if Sir Malcolm's life didn't depend on it, then...what would she do? It's a dangerous way of thinking. Far too indulgent.

"You don't have to go, should it be activated. Will you make a new life here?"

If Serthica remains too dangerous, then there are safer cities, aren't there? There will be threats everywhere, no doubt, but what does Red have to fear with Cerberus at her beckoning? Isn't it better to take the gamble for the idea of freedom? It's something Vanessa would risk, if she could.