Devero listens with an intent seriousness, watching Rich even if Rich isn't even able to look at him. It's okay. Rich doesn't have to.

That-- actually does sound great. That sounds like the breakthrough that that Adís and Ioleya are striving for over on the Implant side of Techstead. But he can tell that this kid is terrified, so all he says is, "You have a smart Implant? That's what a SQUIP is? I'm Implanted too, but my hardware's all dumb." He taps the thing he's wearing on his face. "This is the smart part.

"Can you tell me what it does that's so bad?"