[ Alfie is right to hold onto him - he very much does almost go running to - confront? Question? Speak to? - his commander, but the certainty Alfie speaks with draws him up short. Keeping his voice down this time, he says; ]

This is still a part of Norfinbury. [ It would explain the inconsistencies with how his orders were received. Throwing him into a situation unarmed and without backup was unusual, but not unprecedented, especially for someone whose loyalties and competence needed testing. However, if Heaven truly had been willing and able to find him again, and entrust him with a mission of any importance, its first priority would have been to debrief him, if only to inform him of the possible consequences of failure. ]

The mission, then - taking the lights from these... impostors. Is that still real?