Yes, [ Richard agrees. ] Death is a possibility.

[ For natives, for Wysteria, for Rifters who are statistically far likelier to vanish without a trace. They might as well keep their options open. He looks down to hook the nug skull around into easier reach with his pinkie, and nestles the roll of his joint back into the open scoop of the jaw. ]

If I’m to function as a shield you should consider letting them lie after I’ve acknowledged their concerns.