The research team welcomed me with open (mechanical) arms. In the embrace of the maintenance frame, manipulator systems uncoupled and removed sections of the suit, taking a few minutes to free me from its embrace.

“The prototype was designed for rapid manufacture, Specialist – the hardware is not yet final. Once we move on to Spiral II development, we will begin construction using more refined techniques that will enable field maintenance.”

“Did the prototype give sufficient feedback regarding the damage sustained during initial contact?”

“Was the prototype suitably accommodating of the residual effects of your injury?”

“Hyperspectral imagery was bandwidth-intensive. Did you notice any compression noise as a result?”

“How did you feel about the prototype’s UX response to fight-or-flight physical reactions? Did you feel it positively affected your mental state?”

The problem with excessively intelligent people, I reflected, was that even when they didn’t outnumber you it felt like you were outclassed.