Sometimes, you need to know what living things are capable of, even at the risk of your own life. It can be quite thrilling.

[It's endearing, he thinks, the way this young man's eyes stray away. It's also fascinating how much care people have for these tiny robots. Humans are truly capable of many things -- compassion, cruelty, benevolence, selfishness, and so on.]

There are others. I am not concerned.

[There's a nod at the assessment.] Indeed. Forgive me for not introducing myself sooner. The people of my world call me Bondrewd the Novel, Sovereign of the Dawn. The rank of a White Whistle, if it means anything to you.