[ had marta more of her wits about her, had she more energy to spare after using so much of it up to get her body back to this point of health, were she not already so tired from the tense impasse she and kovacs had found themselves after airing out all that they needed to — she definitely would have greatly appreciated how deftly the older woman wrangled kovacs as if he were nothing more than the domesticated horses back on scorpion's bend.

it brings, at least, a glimmer of amusement in marta's eyes as andy takes her place at marta's bedside, eyes bright and happy to see a friend despite the circumstances that necessitated it. ]

Oh, you know... Stupidity.

[ her smile is wan, but from the shame that creeps up and colors her cheeks pink, it's pretty obvious where said stupidity lies in this story. ]

I stopped to help a wounded Bouldersnake, but all it did was put myself and Kovacs in more danger.

I'm okay though. Yelena and Erik were able to stabilize me on the planet.