"What… what did you do to me?"

"Hey, easy. Easy. That was quite the run."

"What run? What even happened?"

"Nothing. You ready to get back at it?"

"Not yet, I… my head is killing me. Did I run into something? I thought… nuggets, what happened to my hands?"

"It's not a problem."

"Hey, if you don't tell me what the hell is going on –"

"Look, it's your own fault. That's what you get for ignoring my wise-assery. Every tripwire is different, see? And it affects everyone differently. Tell me again where you got yours?"

"From a… the cave. I told you."

"Did you take it from an animal?"

"Um. I think so. Something furry. It had these… these ears, and a big tail."

"Like a fox? One of those little gray ones?"

"Yes."

"Might have guessed. Okay. So, don't panic, but ­­–"

"What in hell! What is that?"

"I said don't panic. Just listen to me, will you?"

"Get your ­­– oof – damn hands off me!"

"Just stop. Going nuts won't help anything. Yes, that's exactly what it feels like. It's actually growing along your whole backbone, but it's ultra-thick right… here."

"Let go!"

"Kid, I could drag you around by the scruff of your neck all day and there isn't a thing you can do about it. Just wait until you try putting on a shirt. Heh, that'll feel weird."

"For the last time –"

"I told you, you did it to yourself. That's all from the tripwire."

"Is it… permanent?"

"You should be grateful. That little animal's physical properties weren't all. Ever wondered why you've been most comfortable working at night?"

"It's not as hot."

"It's never hot inside the cliffs."

"Well, and it doesn't matter if it's day or night from inside there."

"True. But it's more than that. It's sunk into your metabolism now. All your senses, ramped up as high as they can go, right? You've been sniffing the air every time a breeze picks up. And this sunshine, it's too much for you right now, isn't it."

"It's just easier to see in the dark. It's been that way since the surgery."

"Not this much. Now come on, those hydroplank barrels won't unload themselves."

"I'm not going, not until ­­–"

"You could always just do pushups until your arms fall off."

"Anything to get these cuffs off."

"Heh. Those are just an example for the others. You don't really need them, do you?"

"No, don't. Please."

"What? Maybe I'm just scratching my neck."

"Put it away. Please."

"So scared of a little dog whistle?"

"I'll work without it, I promise. But first, would you just tell me what happened?"

"Mm-hm. What do you think? That blood on your hands, it's all over your mouth, too."

"Gross. Got any water?"

"Here, just a bit left. Did you notice what you're stepping in?"

"Oh, nasty. It's on my boots. Is that… fur?"

"Good thing you didn't try to swallow any bones. Also, I can work you right through the afternoon mealtime now. Come on."

"High heavens. That's sick. No way did I do that. Wait, wait up. Wait for me."

"What now?"

"I need to borrow yours. I'll recharge it, I promise."

"Don't like your little fox one?"

"Is that a joke? I can't go on like this."

"Fine, fine. You can use mine if you finish unloading by half-light."

"Finally."

"You're worse than Tiernan. At least he has a real day job."

"That's low. While what, you sit around doing nothing? At least Drunnel delegated out the projects."

"He's a ripe fool. Besides, he doesn't sleep a wink. Needed something to fill his time."

"Is that one of the effects of his wire?"

"That's right."

"Hm. Question. Why didn't she take yours? I thought we were keeping an eye on that."

"You did fine. But Drun's is more powerful. It's a hell of a lot more psychic-friendly too. Better for her… condition, wouldn't you say?"

"But now Drunnel's the only one watching her."

"And she's entirely dependent on him. Don't worry, we got it all figured out."

"What? Why?"

"She's blind, idiot. Why do you think she had to see you die?"

"How… wait, are you serious? How could you do that?"

"Drun knew it would blind her. But with you out of the way, he's got the perfect excuse why she can't see."

"He knew his wire would blind her?"

"Yep. And, he also needed her emotions driven up high. It was a perfect setup. Leave it to the brains."

"That's nugget. I didn't agree to this."

"Oh, yes, you did. The second you told us about her, you did."

"It was never supposed to go that far. She thinks I'm dead?"

"It could be worse, believe me."

"I'm going to kill him."

"Ha. Good luck with that. She'll probably beat you to it."

"What do you mean?"

"Her powers, thickwit, are going to explode in his face if he keeps pushing her. Bet you a million units she'll come back with a score of maccotons and no Drunnel."

"Your concern is overwhelming."

"And that's enough questions. Get back to work."