[i][Senior Chief Petty Officer Solares Morgenstern] - [Anvil Station][/i]

Solares walked steadily toward the lift, falling in step beside Cassandra. She barely flinched at the unusual weight atop her helmet, the familiar presence of Maya balancing there. Her posture remained calm, controlled, as always, though the corner of her mouth twitched in quiet amusement.

“Duty calls, one way or another.” she said, giving Cassandra a polite nod. Then, to the hovering AI, her voice was low but laced with gentle exasperation: “Maya, if you intend to philosophize while riding my helmet, at least try not to obscure my sensors.”

Perched atop Solares’s helmet, Maya let her tails sway lazily behind her as she leaned forward slightly, chin resting near the visor. “Ah, but I provide perspective, don’t I?” she teased, voice carrying that smooth, playful warmth. “A higher vantage point allows for clearer insight into human… and Sangheili… behaviors.”

She flicked a tail toward Tapo’Hatam. “Though perhaps this is more about amusement than observation. Fear not, warrior, your conversation was neither ignored nor dismissed. Quite the opposite, in fact it was… illuminating.”

Then, with a tilt of her head toward Cassandra, she added lightly, “Shall we follow our friends, or shall I remain perched here to judge your walking pace?”