SOPHIE: Depth module lost

Databank Text

MANTIS: Sorry, boss, what’s going on?

SOPHIE: Wait one. Ruby — it’s Butcher. Are you with your Tadpole?

RUBY [on intercom]: Right outside, boss. What’s up?

SOPHIE: Go direct southeast from the research base, about 500 meters, until you find the Cicada wreckage on the tall mesa. Flash your lights and make some noise. Ram it if you have to.

RUBY [on intercom]: Copy. Steer southeast, 500 meters, same depth. Can I ask why?

SOPHIE: Tuba, Singh and Mel just printed back here. They were testing the upgraded scanner and resonator when Axum Tailings attacked them. Killed them and took Iso. He’s still alive. I’ve tracked his blackbox to the Cicada wreck nearby.

RUBY: [on intercom] Uh…copy. Can’t we just wait for them to finish him off?

SOPHIE: He’s got Nahema’s super scanner. She’ll murder me if I lose it. Try to scare the Tailings off. I’ll get a team out there to recover his effects.

RUBY [on intercom, crackling]: *Boss, I’ve picked up a couple tails. Looks like — two adult needlers — need to evade — *

MANTIS: Boss, her Tadpole has our only depth module.

SOPHIE: Oh, Christ. [muttering] Come on, Ruby…PDA, log my conduct here for kurultai review.