As Sebastian pales and goes silent and still, Velcro wuffs once and leans against his owner's legs. During periods of high stress, PTSD dogs are trained to provide constant, subtle physical pressure against their companions to help keep them centred in the moment.

"I was right. It does hinge on your choice." There's no pleasure to be had from this knowledge and it shows in the hollow tone of his voice. "You didn't defect in my world and war went on and on until there was no one left to fight it."