When they arrived back at the Glacial Observatory, the atmosphere was one of profound relief. Johno listened to their final report with an expression that grew heavier with each revelation. When they finished explaining about the Wings base and its destruction, he lowered his massive head almost to the floor.
"Thank you, thank you." He said quietly. He lowered his head until he was entirely in a dogeza. "My deepest thanks and respects, Honored Aria Knights!"
"Please!" Valeria rushed to usher him back up. "Get up, there's no need for that! Why do you keep apologizing to us?"
Johno looked back at her with heavy, guilty eyes. "I made you all go on a wild goose chase. What Ice stations, what Mika? If I did a better job, I would have had the information ready when you arrived. Instead, you had to do everything for us. I am truly incompetent!"
