Pirates started passing around handheld rock-digging devices, each no taller than a skateboard. When they got to Yuri, she stood taller, her grimy, eager face tilted up at him. The pirate held off for a moment, then gave her one of the machines.
When he got to Tuss, the pirate said outright, "You can't handle one of these rock-diggers. So, in that case—"
Just as the pirate was lifting his energy pistol, Zeek, who was standing close by, quickly jumped in front of Tuss.
"He can gather the rocks," Yuri spoke up. She pointed to herself and Zeek, "We'll run the rock-diggers, and he'll collect the chunks."
"Absolutely, absolutely, I'm good with the rock-digger," Zeek stammered, "and our friend here is particularly good at picking up rocks."
Pirate glanced at Tuss, a smirk of ridicule on his face. "Then you're on rock collecting duty. If I catch you goofing off—"
He gave the three people a look of threat.
