"Tsk. That's a shame," Lyle said, shaking his head. "I guess the unpleasant surprises are all on us, then."

Or rather, all on them to stealthily and crushingly commit.

"I suppose if we were at full strength, the fights simply wouldn't be entertaining to watch," he mused, glancing around to see if anyone was listening in. "Still. Distasteful. Do you think if I bat my eyes prettily enough they'll let me play in a laboratory somewhere?"