[He was worried that he'd get a reaction like that, and he's half-expecting the grab to his arm by the time she does it. His own heart sinks as she as good as confirms that he wasn't just imagining the parallels.]

"We reached Atropos months ago. Why do you think we stopped bothering with the nukes?" [he repeats softly, and though he's fully facing her now he doesn't quite meet her eyes.

(Maybe it's telling that he assumes there's a direct link there; he's too used to a universe where people use nuclear weaponry to send a message, instead of just destruction for destruction's sake. It occurs to him only now, after speaking with Ruka, that it could be cause and effect: 'we found a more effective weapon, so we don't have to bother with the methods that you know how to counter.')

He does look up now, frowning and serious. If the strength of her grip bothers him, he doesn't show it.] She said her name was Sasha Vasquez, second lieutenant. At first she tried to deny knowing anything about Atropos, but... [Ruka was there for the situation-- "Pandora," they'd called it.] She didn't know about what happened in De Chima until we told her. They've had contact with Atropos besides that.