Racter strode through the darkness with easy confidence behind Koschei, and ahead of Hexbolt and their drones. While he’d taken this route to and from the Heoi terminal many times, he didn’t have to rely on his own innate sense of direction or his memory - Koschei, ahead of him, had the entire route mapped, tiny moonlike reflections from his red optics bouncing off stagnant puddles and the occasional clean patch of metal.
Also, no one in the know from Heoi or its networks would give them any trouble.
“Oh, once upon a time, yes, when I had access to corporate medicine,” he said a little absently. Or it had access to me -. “However, one can’t turn one’s nose up at competent help in the Shadows, regardless of the methodology behind it. And fortunately, Seattle and Gobbet are very competent. And competent in a sphere outside my area of expertise. I may be capable with biotech in a pinch with the right supplies - I was a medic, during my mandatory stint in the army - but none of us would consider going on a run without one of the two. And don’t worry, they’re not too woo-woo about it. Reverence is not exactly something Gobbet holds in high regard. And Seattle is, after all, enough of a pragmatist to have survived this long.”
Koschei froze abruptly enough that Racter almost ran into him, before Racter also froze in alarm. Koschei’s optics all rotated to look at the drone perched on it, and the intricate lenses expanded even further. A disgruntled buzzing sound started up.
Racter made his own disgruntled noise in the back of his throat and very gingerly but very quickly picked up Hexbolt’s drone and lifted it up, holding it with just his fingertips. “Best - best not.”
“Explain how two shamans are useful in the fie-.”
Hexbolt stiffened as Racter picked up that drone-body of theres. “Okay, drop that part of me. That feels...really weird.Your fingers are sending back tactile feedback to me. And. we. don’t. like. it.” They gritted out.
The Locust held up by Racter made sad chirring noises. While the rest in Hexbolt’s arms screeched and bared their fangs and squirmed to get out of other body’s grip.
