Philia, Eros, Storge, Agápe, Pragma by R.S.A. Garcia : Clarkesworld Magazine
Science Fiction & Fantasy — by R.S.A. Garcia — “Quarter-march, west-north-west,” came their voice through the Kinnec. “Acknowledged,” the other two shells replied. Metal clacked against stone as the scouting party made their way over the rocky terrain until a half-crumbled hillside came into view above them. Freshly fallen boulders lay cracked and scattered on the flats below a large irregular hole. The hole was dark, the opening blackened and fused from heat. A recon drone unwrapped itself from the diplomat’s shell. “Unnecessary,” Brother-Adita said. “Shell destroyed. ...
Source: clarkesworldmagazine.com