If I recall correctly, and I REALLY don't want to have to go back to read it, because I know for a fact that it will be not at all good (no offense, Ben) and I'd like to preserve the memories of the fifteen-year-old me who thought it was fuckin' rad, the WDF actually negotiated directly with the US government regarding the repatriation of those members of it who got to see the Great Dark Beyond up close and personal, decided it wasn't for them, and got off the ship when it came back to Earth.

Presumably those people were debriefed in some way by some burly gentlemen from the various organs of the national security state, but probably in a very gentle fashion, given that the implicit threat of the enormous space dreadnought returning in a vexed mood if any of its former crew got a little of the 'ol black site treatment hanging over the affair.

-Merc
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