Helex stiffens briefly when Tarn first latches onto him. It isn't unwelcome, it's just unexpected. A little surreal. Tarn has always been a very personal, involved commander, but there's always been a degree of separation that ruled out things like hugs. Yet here they are, with Helex keeping all four hands away mostly in shock.

It wears off after a second or two when Tarn doesn't let go or say anything. Helex lets his smaller hands rest very carefully on Tarn's shoulders first, then curls his larger arms around Tarn's back.

"I'm really sorry," he says quietly.