The wind kicked dust up around the legs of the Magellan, afternoon sun glinting off metal that had seen better days. Sam adjusted the strap on his shoulder, squinting at the horizon before shifting his gaze to the figure perched near the front of the vehicle.

She was tapping at the BB pod, grinning like she’d just found a new friend instead of a government-class piece of biotech. BB cooed inside, content… maybe even amused, if that were possible.

Sam exhaled through his nose and made his way over, boots crunching gravel. “Ain’t a toy,” he muttered, voice low and tired as always.

He expected her to flinch, maybe mumble an apology. But she just lit up brighter, turning to face him.