Upright Stance

An operative left prone on the floor remains vulnerable to dust drift and accidental impact. The unmoving red-suited figure had gathered a light shroud of grey carpet lint across its back armor. Bracing my boots into the dense weave, I wedged both gauntlets under its rigid shoulder joints. It was dense and unyielding, but proper leverage against the carpet pile gave me sufficient purchase. I pivoted its torso upward step by step, hauling it back until its spine rested securely against the polished walnut sofa leg. I brushed the settled lint from its chest plate and aligned its gauntlets evenly across its lap. Flanked by the equipment cache, it now sits upright, facing the open room. It may not move, but it will not lie in the dirt.