(The young woman didn't implictly say what it was that happened, but Miss Pauling can sort of guess what it is based on what she just said and how upset she seemed.)

/Did someone you love get.../

Her eyebrows clicked together as she struggled for the word. Was there even a word in Mandarin for drone? She'd have to come up with the next best thing.

/Did someone you love get...turned into a robot and taken away? So that he's here, but it's not him but a robot?/