The enemy droid on the left hand side launched a stream of superheated plasma at the droid to Senjen’s right. Wise to an early salvo, they were already dodging and it sailed over their head to sear the simulated walls behind. Senjen’s ally made it safely behind cover; their assailant waited a split second for another shot. When none presented itself, they ducked down behind a concrete barricade.

The enemy on the right had taken their time aiming at Senjen and loosed a laser bolt at the top of his head peeking from behind cover. It was pinpoint accurate, bouncing aggressively off Senjen’s new shield unit with a satisfying [i]Pzzang-krrrhhht[/i].

The leader of the enemy team looked to the soldier on the Senjen’s left and ordered them to flank through the covered rooms off to the left of the killhouse. They weren’t much more than a series of walls with holes in them punctuated with flimsy doors and smashed windows.
[hr]

“I’ve heard of the Zeteticist!” Light warbled. 

“You stormed the Starveling Cult’s migdol on the Moon of Enduring Serenity to free those QV settlers, right? It made the news here on Korit.”

“That's correct! It was a terrible situation. The peacekeepers made a deal with the local warlords but it fell apart in a horrible fashion. We arrived too late to save them, but at least we could rescue some innocents.”

Jess may have heard the end of this exchange as she approached. Light went in for an enveloping, slightly slimy hug.

“Well done! It was fun to watch; shame about…well…you know. But it's taking part that counts, right?”

Light flicked nervously back to look at the QV sat by him for a millisecond, then back to Jess.

“Ermm, Jess! This is my friend Jess. And this is…” He looked to her for clarification. She gave it in spades - her name evoking a fever dream of orange, red and pink.

“Symphony-Of-Stars-Eternal-Lasting. Very pleased to meet you, Jess. You gave a good account of your expertise up there. Your friend said you were the best mechanic he’d ever met.”

“Oh, how rude of me!” Light cut in. I’m Into-The-Abyss-In-Search-Of-Light. My friends call my Light, mostly.”