“Oh, I thought that’s what you had been doing this past week…” Light said quietly and a bit pointedly. HOPE quivered with amusement.

“Our team has developed organically over time and spent long periods apart. We’re not professional soldiers, and all have other responsibilities in life. But the nature of our upbringing and the unpredictability of the cosmos means we have developed strong means of defending ourselves. To be fully transparent-“ 

Light flashed with his own amusement at this – it was a Human phrase that translated into a pun for QV.

“-This gelsuit also hosts our shared communications array and offers electronic warfare options.” She turned and looked at Omega when Senjen changed the subject. One large disc eye was peering out at them from the side of its giant head.

“He does speak, don’t you?” She called to him encouragingly. The Tindrel-approximate raised its head off the deck plate and burbled in what was probably a quiet voice for them but sent a ringing peal that echoed through the passageways. Light felt the soundwave pass through his suit and body. He knew that was how Tindrel ‘spoke’ and also mapped their surroundings, but something about it felt off.

“He finds it difficult to communicate in the way we do. But once you spend enough time with him you get to understand his ways. I only knew him briefly before the accident, but he was the kindest, sweetest bot you’ve ever met. His makers abused him too, sent him to clear the most dangerous tunnel systems all alone. I think in the end, even the softest souls can snap under the pressure of that.”

HOPE turned back to them. “What is the story with you two? You make an odd couple.”