Skulduggery can't help but laugh at the thought of Ava and Max doing the robot together, although he knows the sheer offense would be too much for Max to handle. "I can certainly help with that," he says. "Maybe we can use the time to try and find his hidden interests." He has no idea how much Max has shared with Ava about his reality, but he's willing to bet it's enough.

"He has nothing to prove to either of us, at least. He may not have his wealth and status here, but... at least he has actual personhood." After all, Skulduggery had seen it for himself: Max has a soul, just like SecUnit Rin, just like every other passenger on the ship. There's no fighting that.