"I didn't mean it literally," Krok repeats, maintaining his hold on Spinister's arm and trying to lock eyes with him. "Spinister. Spinister, it was a figure of speech. I just meant to reference Primus." Assuming he's even there, and assuming he cares about them at all.

Some of Crankcase's overpowering cynicism may have rubbed off.

"Spinister, you can't just do this here," he says, voice firm and level. Calm. Short, simple sentences. "No shooting like this."