[ There had been a sense welling up inside of Drift since Scorpion's Bend that he had no words for, only a lingering doubt that persisted like a bad smell. An animal circling the edge of a clearing on the hunch of a hunch of predators hiding in the dark. Newt had been getting progressively more agitated but conversely quieter. Drift hadn't said anything but believed Newt to be acting like a man putting his affairs in order. That should have raised a parade of red flags, but there had never been enough time.

— There is never enough time in the universe. Drift knew this, but the lesson never sticks until the other boot drops.

When Drift finally appears, he arrives as a man, but not entirely. When he approaches the thing in Newt's body, a large silhouette fills the room from behind. 'Drift' entered while Drift stalked just outside — just in case. ]

So

[ He started evenly, smoothing the front of his button-down. ]

How will this go? I'm expecting either an unhinged speech about the 'rightful dominion of a higher species beyond my feeble comprehension,' or whatever roundabout and nonsensical humble bragging you types take for engaging repartee or some bullshit victory lap.

I'm older than the other one. I'm seldom surprised.