[ There's no sign of tactics in the way Mat takes a seat, unless acting aggressively unbothered counts as a tactic. The undercurrent of paranoia's a counterpoint to the way he's leaning onto the table, chin propped in one hand as he frowns at the exchange of information. Being told where to go and what to do by people — sort of people — who've got access to things they shouldn't have, it's old hat. ]

Brood? [ He knows what it means. He's just judging Kaji for so readily buying into the terms or assuming any sort of coherency to their plans. ] And that's a loose definition of choice. If they'd said, now, Mat, you can either stay under this pile of rubble or come run errands for us in some other bloody plane, then it would've been a choice.

[ Mat sits back, crossing his arms as he fixes his attention back on their hosts. ] Are the two of you going?