the deserter was literally addicted to the phasmid's mind control chemicals, after you photograph it and it leaves, the deserter becomes entirely unresponsive and incapable of even basic speech, just shuddering if you touch him.
Yeah, I know, but he's spent 50 years being the Union Bosses' assassin and he was already fucked up from fleeing his comrades. It's not just the phasmid.
spoiler
the deserter was literally addicted to the phasmid's mind control chemicals, after you photograph it and it leaves, the deserter becomes entirely unresponsive and incapable of even basic speech, just shuddering if you touch him.
Yeah, I know, but he's spent 50 years being the Union Bosses' assassin and he was already fucked up from fleeing his comrades. It's not just the phasmid.