"I won't freeload." Her voice is still low, but it's firm, full of conviction. "I earn my keep. I don't want charity, or pity, or a p-p-patron." Vika gestures with her hook to emphasize that last point. "N-nothing that gives anyone else input on my ch-chassis. No d-debts - bastard-ass voicebox."

THUMP. Vika coughs at the self-inflicted impact, and something in there rattles. She pauses, leans a good 37 degrees to her left, shakes herself violently -

Click!

"Better."