Open Waters

Tino drives his golf cart with Kanzu riding shotgun, Raym behind Tino, and the Japanese boy behind Kanzu. Raym turns to see the Japanese boy smiling at her, awkwardly smiles back, then glances over at Kanzu, who also smiles at her. Raym smirks at Kanzu, turns away, and stares out at the scenic landscape. Three backpacks, including Kanzu’s, rest in the golf cart’s rear basket.

“Why did your master discard you?” the Japanese boy asks Raym.

“Koo-joe?” Tino admonishes.

“The boy’s old enough,” Raym says. “Masters need no reason, Kujo. They are all cruel.”

“Mine were not…” Kanzu says before catching herself.

“Was your master cruel, Kanzu?” the Japanese boy asks.

Raym looks over at Kanzu.

“No more or less than the others, I suppose,” Kanzu replies.

The Japanese boy turns back to Raym.

“Where are your procreators?” he asks.

“That I don’t know,” Raym answers. “I never met them.”

“Oh,” the Japanese boy says. “I only recall my mother.”

He looks away from Raym and out at the landscape to his right.

“What were they like?” Tino asks Kanzu. “Your procreators.”

“Caring,” Kanzu replies. “Protective. Entertaining on occasion.”

“Sounds like you and your brother lived well.”

“We were fortunate.”

Raym notices Kanzu’s change in demeanor and turns back to the Japanese boy.

“How young are you again, Kujo?” Raym asks.

The Japanese boy turns back to Raym and smiles.

“Ten revs!”

“Going on twenty, it would appear,” Raym responds.

“Twenty?” the Japanese boy giggles. “That’s ancient!”

Kanzu, Raym, and Tino laugh as they pull into the parking lot of a port half as large, but just as busy, as the main one. Tino pulls into a parking stall and parks. He slyly grabs a small pouch from under his seat and exits his golf cart with the others. Kanzu, Raym, and the Japanese boy admire the bustling port where sapiens of all kinds wait to board a small passenger ship along one of the docks. Their eyes widen.

“Zanta Golo,” Kanzu reads off the ship’s bow.

“It’s ginormous!” the Japanese boy exclaims.

“Agreed,” Kanzu and Raym simultaneously concur.

“Wait here,” Tino says.

Kanzu, Raym, and the Japanese boy stretch near the golf cart while Tino walks over to a port officer sitting in a patrol cart a few yards away. the Japanese boy clings to Raym while Kanzu observes Tino. She sees him sit next to the port officer and discreetly hand him the small pouch. The port officer, in turn, hands Tino a different pouch. They shake hands and the port officer talks into a radio. Tino exits the patrol cart and rejoins the trio near his golf cart.

“And so begins your journey,” Tino says. “Just remember to-”

“Lay low,” Kanzu finishes.

Tino nods, smiles, and opens the pouch he received from the port officer.

“Wristlets out,” he instructs.

They stick out their hands as he pulls out a tiny electronic device called a scrubber from the pouch. Tino waves it over each wristlet, deactivating them, then places the scrubber in his pocket. He pulls out three new wristlets and holds out the pouch.

“Remove and place them in here,” he says. “Hurry.”

They remove and place their wristlets in the pouch. Tino then hands them each a new wristlet to put on and activate. Once they do, Tino pulls the scrubber from his pocket carefully waves it over each wristlet until the correct data is uploaded to their respective wristlet.

“Okie dokie,” Tino says. “Ready?”

Raym checks her wristlet.

“What kind of name is Karo?” she asks with a frown.

“The kind that won’t draw the Corps’ attention,” he answers.

“Boba,” the Japanese boy says. “Sweetness.”

“What’s this…Food Director?” Kanzu asks as she reads her wristlet.

“A stupid name,” the Japanese boy answers.

“Agreed,” Raym says.

“It’s not a name,” Kanzu replies.

“That pass will get you enough provisions for your trip,” Tino says. “Consume only in your cabin and absolutely no hanging out on deck, understood?”

Kanzu, Raym, and the Japanese boy all nod in agreement.

The passenger ship horn blares. Kanzu grabs the three backpacks from behind the golf cart. She hands one to Raym and the other to the Japanese boy.

“Grats, Tino,” Kanzu says.

“Stay vigilant,” Tino says. “Open waters are treacherous.”

Kanzu hugs Tino.

“Should this meeting be our last,” she says.

The Japanese boy hugs Tino next.

“Bye, Tino.” the Japanese boy says. “I will return.”

“And, I will be waiting. Promise you’ll look after your new aunties.”

“Promise.”

The Japanese boy sulks over to Kanzu while Raym walks over to Tino.

“Guess we’re kin, now,” Raym says.

“I hope you find what you’re looking for, Raym.”

Raym hugs Tino.

“Me too,” Raym replies.

“Okay,” Tino says as his gently pushes Raym toward the dock.

Kanzu, Raym, and the Japanese boy walk toward the dock. Tino watches the trio as they board the passenger ship. He walks back to his golf cart and drives off.

The passenger ship sails away from the dock. On board, Kanzu, the Japanese boy, and Raym follow the holographic prompts to their cabin. Walking single file, they navigate fellow passengers, ship staff, and tight corridors, passing a metal door with a tinted, one-way window beside it. Moments later, the metal door opens, and the baby-faced hominoid, Kanzu’s catamaran stalker, exits. Wearing the ship’s uniform, he holds playing cards in one hand and his vape pen in the other as the metal door closes. He walks toward the ship’s railing and prepares to smoke when his nostrils detect a familiar scent. He turns to his right to see Raym’s backside as she vanishes into the crowd. To his left, he sees more passengers and personnel milling about. The baby-faced hominoid sucks on his vape pen then exhales its smoke into the air.

“Fin,” a fellow staffer yells from behind the metal door. “Your go!”

The baby-faced hominoid turns, walks back toward the metal door, and opens it, exposing three hominoid staffers sitting at a makeshift card table. He enters the room and shuts the metal door behind him.

Taking the stairs, Kanzu, the Japanese boy, and Raym continue single file into the bowels of the ship. Raym observes the dwindling amenities with each floor they bypass.

“So much for the Captain’s Suite,” Raym says.

“At least we have one,” Kanzu counters.

The holographic prompts lead them to Cabin D954. Kanzu waves her wristlet across the cabin door sensor. The cabin door slides open, and the trio enters a drab suite that includes a sofa, dining table, bunk bed, and small bathroom, along with the barest of necessities. Raym throws her backpack on the top bunk.

“Home sweet home,” Raym says.

Kanzu and the Japanese boy stare blankly at her.

“This is not our home,” the Japanese boy replies.

“An old archaic expression,” Raym clarifies. “Saw it on a docustream.”

Still puzzled, the Japanese boy looks up at Kanzu, who shrugs.

“Ask your mother,” Kanzu says, gently shoving him to the sofa.

The Japanese boy places his backpack on the sofa while Kanzu tosses hers on the bottom bunk.

“Who’s hungry?” Raym asks.

“Me!” the Japanese boy replies with a hand in the air.

Kanzu heads for the door.

“I’ll pay a visit to this Director,” Kanzu says, holding up her wristlet. “You two-”

“Lay low,” the Japanese boy interjects.

“Aye, aye, Cappy,” Raym says with a Freeland salute.

Kanzu exits the cabin and shuts the door.

“Lay low,” the Japanese boy says.

Raym turns to him and mockingly replies, “You lay low.”

The Japanese boy sticks his tongue out at Raym, who playfully returns the gesture.

The Foodie

Kanzu quickly walks along the starboard side of the ship. However, she and others can’t ignore a captivating orange sunset, piercing the wavy haze of fog over a reflective ocean. A horn alerts the crowd to a green, four-eyed whale breaching the surface in front of the giant half-sun. Kanzu walks behind two passengers, a hominoid mother and her hybreed daughter, looking up at the sky. The tiny silhouette of a Lorian starcruiser glides just across the top of the sun. The hybreed daughter points up at the starcruiser.

“I see it!” she cheers, jumping up and down. “I finally see it.”

“Looks like you’ve got my vision after all,” the hominoid mother replies, proudly patting her daughter on the head.

“I can’t wait to tell father,” the hybreed daughter says. “Will he ever get to see this?”

“Not at that speed. Perhaps one day evolution will grant his kind our vision.”

The wavy, orange ball of gas descends into the darkening horizon as thoughts of Kanzu’s family causes her eyes to swell with tears. Her vibrating wristlet snaps Kanzu back from her sad thoughts. She rubs her eyes, composes herself, then heads for the nearest stairwell. Kanzu looks down at the holographic prompt on her wristlet as it points toward the nearest door. Sniffing the salty air, she follows the prompt - and her nose - into the stairwell and down three flights of stairs. An armed ship guard posted by the door restricts access. Kanzu quickly extends her wristlet, which the ship guard scans then slides aside, allowing her to proceed to the service level.

The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement.

Kanzu walks down a service level corridor as a number of exhausted Terran staffers, wearing discreet collars, perform menial tasks. Following her prompts, she passes a door leading into the main kitchen and continues until the hall ends at an office door with a rusted sign on it:

FOOD DIRECTOR

Once again, Kanzu waves her wristlet across the sensor beside the door as a security camera stares down at her. A scanner beam covers her from head-to-toe. Seconds later, the door slides open. She enters a small room to see a scaly, blue female hominoid receptionist typing strange symbols into a holographic console. Up pops a holographic rendering of the Food Director, a pudgy, hairless, teal-skinned hominoid wearing a crisp, formal uniform.

“Send her in,” the Food Director’s hologram says.

Strange holographic symbols representing the Food Director’s name flicker below the rendering.

“He’s ready for you, Ms. Jenga,” the hominoid receptionist says without missing a beat.

“Grats,” Kanzu replies.

A door beside the busy receptionist opens. Kanzu passes through the door. It slides shut behind her.

“Sit,” the Food Director orders.

Kanzu takes one of two small chairs across from the sweaty hominoid with teal skin. On the wall behind the Food Director sits a digital image of the passenger boat with its name below:

ZANTA GOLO

Kanzu looks down at an unlit antique lamp on the Food Director’s cluttered desk. She glances at the edge of his holographic display and spots a minimized news report showing fires ravaging parts of the Japanese mainland. The Food Director takes notice.

“There was a time Terrans would consider that the work of an all-powerful being called many names,” the Food Director laments. “At least now they agree on one.”

The Food Director opens a desk drawer, pulls out three premium, individually-wrapped protein bars, and slides them over to Kanzu, who tucks them inside her pocket.

“Grats,” she says.

“You’re here because of grats to the one who introduced us. He not only saved my life on more than one occasion, but helped me secure this very…fulfilling position.”

“How long have you known Tino?”

“Long enough to know either you’re special, he’s desperate, or both. So, which is it?”

“Both, perhaps?”

The Food Director chuckles as he motions Kanzu to place her wristlet arm on the table. She complies. He gently places her wristlet under the antique lamp and presses a button on the lamp that triggers a scanner. Kanzu’s wristlet flashes and confirms activation of room service credits. She accesses the details and pulls up an image of a Terran kitchen server.

“This is Romdell,” he says. “He’ll be your one and only server. Anyone but him shows up at your cabin, call me immediately and don’t open that door. Understood?”

“Yes, sir.”

“If any Terran gives you trouble…” The Food Director says, mimicking an exploding head.

“Grats,” she responds.

The Food Director leans back in his chair.

“So, how long have you been a Freelander?”

“Uh…just over two revolutions.”

He looks up and sighs.

“I recall my registration as if it were yesterday. Occupation?”

“Law enforcement.”

“You enjoying it so far?”

“It’s an acquired taste.”

The Food Director smiles, leans back in his chair, and looks up at the ceiling.

“You know, there’s just something about being on the sea. The salty breeze. The uncertainty. The food. Out here, one is truly free.”

“I can…sea that,” Kanzu jokes.

The Food Director pauses, then laughs when Kanzu’s wristlet beeps.

“Romdell’s now on shift. See him on your way out.”

Kanzu stands and bows.

“Yes, sir.”

“Bon appetite, Ms. Jenga. And good fortune.”

“Grats.”

The door slides open and Kanzu exits. The Food Director laughs again.

“See,” he chuckles. “Sea.”

The door shuts, and the Food Director switches his display from news to an adult film scene between a Terran female and a hominoid male.

Fifteen minutes later, a smiling Kanzu exits the ship’s kitchen area carrying a food container by its handle. A gentle breeze hits her face. She makes her way toward the stairwell when a familiar scent in the salty air grabs her attention. She looks around and targets an unsuspecting hominoid walking away from her. Smoking his vape pen, the baby-faced hominoid slightly turns his head, blowing smoke while he conversing with a colleague. Kanzu’s eyes widen as she quickly turns her head away.

“No,” she mumbles.

Yes.

Kanzu nonchalantly follows the unsuspecting baby-faced hominoid into another stairwell. She looks up, then down. A door slides shut, drawing her attention two levels up. She jogs up the two levels, opens the door, and peeks inside to see an empty corridor when her wristlet vibrates. Kanzu closes the door and stands in the stairwell. She checks her wristlet to see Raym calling and runs up the stairwell.

Moments later, the same level door opens, and the baby-faced hominoid enters the stairwell. He makes his way back down two levels when his nose picks up the familiar scent again. He looks up and down, trying to track it, when the level door opens and a robot supervisor appears.

“Seaman…Finik,” a robot supervisor says after scanning him.

The baby-faced hominoid turns.

“Yes, sir,” he responds.

“Is there a reason for your idling?”

“No, sir.”

“Then carry on!”

“Yes, sir!”

The robot supervisor shakes its metallic head as the baby-faced hominoid scurries through the door.

“Sapiens,” the robot supervisor says.

Zanta Golo

Carrying the food container, Kanzu waves her free hand with the wristlet across her cabin door sensor. The cabin door slides open, and she enters to find Raym and the Japanese boy in sleeping clothes on the sofa, watching an action movie. Kanzu looks up at the display to see the movie featuring a hominoid captain and his sapien crew piloting a commandeered Lorian hypershuttle.

The fictional rag-tag crew engages in a dogfight with a crippled enemy hypershuttle. The enemy pilot, an evil Lorian wearing a red, white, and blue mechsuit with a star on its helmet, a costume reminiscent of the former American flag. Aboard the commandeered ship, the hybreed gunner locks onto the enemy as a melting pot of sapiens helplessly watch from an undisclosed space colony below.

“Only one shot left, Cappy,” the hybreed gunner shouts.

“Let’s make it count,” the hominoid captain says.

“Just say when, sir,” the hybreed gunner replies.

The camera zooms in tight on the hominoid captain’s face.

“Master, no more,” the hominoid captain says before yelling, “Fire!”

The commandeered hypershuttle fires its last missile at the crippled fighter, causing it to explode.

“You did it, Cappy!” the robotic navigator says.

“We did it, Robbie,” the hominoid captain counters.

Both the rag-tag crew and the space colony citizens below cheer.

Kanzu grins and shakes her head in disbelief. She slowly walks over to the table while trying to make eye contact with Raym, who stares at the screen. She sets the food container down and coughs. Still no reaction from Raym. Kanzu opens the food container, revealing various protein snacks as well as three water flasks. The Japanese boy’s eyes widen when the aroma hits his nostrils. Kanzu pulls out a couple of snacks.

“Food!” the Japanese boy says.

Raym and the Japanese boy join Kanzu at the table.

“I see your meeting went well,” Raym says.

Kanzu nods toward the display as the movie’s end credits roll. They each grab a flask and a few treats to consume.

“What are you filling the poor boy’s head with?”

“Pay no mind, Kujo,” Raym replies. “She can only dream of flying a craft like that.”

Kanzu looks down at the open food container.

“Agreed,” she says.

“Can I be a pilot like Cappy?” the Japanese boy asks with food in his mouth.

“It takes a lot of dedication,” Kanzu replies. “More than you could imagine.”

“So, you’re an expert now?” Raym asks.

Kanzu grabs a protein snack and consumes it.

“Not by any means,” Kanzu answers.

Kanzu makes eye contact with Raym as she sips water from her flask.

“Can we watch it again?” the Japanese boy begs.

“Great idea,” Kanzu says while looking at Raym.

“Start without me,” Raym replies.

The Japanese boy grabs two more snacks, runs to the sofa, and dives on it. He replays the same movie.

“The catamaran stalker’s here,” Kanzu whispers. “The one from my arrival?”

Raym gasps.

“He’s here?” Raym whispers. “On this ship?”

“Where else would here be?”

“Where?” Raym asks.

“I don’t know. But I tracked him to a service level near the kitchen.”

“That’s not the definition of laying low.”

“I don’t think he saw me.”

They both turn to the Japanese boy who’s fully immersed in the movie. Again.

“Did he catch your scent?” Raym asks.

Kanzu shrugs.

“Extra precautions are definitely in ord-”

The cabin rocks back and forth, forcing them to maintain balance. Raym waddles over to the porthole and looks outside to see an approaching electrical storm.

“Any more good news tonight?” Raym says.

Kanzu pulls out a pillow and blanket from the ottoman.

“But I’m not sleepy yet,” the Japanese boy pouts.

“The sooner you sleep, the sooner you see your mother,” Kanzu says.

“But-”

“Listen to your auntie, Kujo,” Raym interjects.

“Okay,” the Japanese boy concedes and shuts off the display.

Kanzu and the Japanese boy place the blanket over the couch. She tucks the Japanese boy in.

“In the light,” Kanzu says.

“Light, aunties,” the Japanese boy says.

“Light, Kujo,” Raym replies.

Kanzu turns to Raym as the cabin sways. Raym turns off the lights and climbs up on the top bunk. On the bottom one, Kanzu lies down on her back and stares up. Raym sticks her head over the edge and smiles down at Kanzu.

“I shouldn’t be asking this…” Raym whispers.

Lightning flashes outside the porthole, followed by thunder.

“But you will,” Kanzu replies.

“Say we find Gunta. What if he refuses to leave?”

“If we go under tonight, I prefer to go dreaming peacefully,” Kanzu responds.

More lightning, followed by louder thunder…and snores. They both look over at the couch to see a snoring Japanese boy sound asleep.

“At least his mother won’t need to track his scent,” Raym jokes.

The Japanese boy’s snores manage to overpower their giggles. Raym turns onto her back and stares at the ceiling.

“Light, sister,” Raym says.

“Light, sister,” Kanzu replies.

Lightning flashes. The cabin sways side-to-side as the Japanese boy’s snores compete with the thunder outside.

“Sounds like Tino’s a master omission,” Raym says.

“Agreed,” Kanzu replies.

Okie Dokie

Raym shakes Kanzu, who jolts awake and looks around.

“Welcome back,” Raym says. “Now, let’s go.”

Raym turns and walks over to the porthole and looks outside as Kanzu turns to her. Kanzu spots the Japanese boy on the couch watching the ship’s local programming on the display. The sounds of passengers milling about outside their cabin turn her attention to the door. Kanzu sits up and bangs her head on the top bunk. Kujo giggles.

“Not funny,” Kanzu says with a smile.

Rubbing her head, she stands, stretches, then walks over to the porthole as Raym walks away, intentionally avoiding eye contact. Kanzu observes the passengers disembarking. She sniffs and turns toward Raym, who’s rummaging in her bag with her back to Kanzu.

“The faster we leave this ship, the better, yeah?” Raym says.

“Okay, just let me change,” Kanzu replies.

“Hurry, please,” Raym says.

Kanzu grabs her backpack and turns toward the bathroom when she sniffs again. She turns toward Raym, who’s still avoids eye contact.

“Raym, you okay?”

“Yeah,” Raym replies with her back to Kanzu. “Why the inquiry?”

Kanzu catches the Japanese boy’s eyes peaking over at her before sliding back toward the display. She squints, walks over to Raym, then around to see her face.

“Seems I’ve been traveling with two masters of omission,” Kanzu says.

Raym attempts to avoid her, but Kanzu speeds around and grabs her face. Raym winces as Kanzu discovers Raym’s bruised jaw.

“Auntie, it was my fault,” the Japanese boy blurts out.

Kanzu turns to the Japanese boy as Raym lowers her head. Kanzu grabs Kujo’s bare wrist to see a tiny bruise on it. She sniffs around the bruise and runs over to Raym.

“Raym?” Kanzu growls.

“Finik,” Raym confesses. “The stalker.”

Kanzu grabs her backpack and pulls out clean clothes.

“I know my stalker’s name,” Kanzu says. “What I don’t know is what happened while I slept. Kujo, turn away now!”

The Japanese boy complies while Kanzu quickly undresses, putting her sleeping clothes in her backpack.

“We were outside,” Raym says as Kanzu quickly puts on her clean clothes.

“That your definition of lay low?”

“I wanted to see the whales,” the Japanese boy interjects.

Kanzu turns to the Japanese boy.

“You wish to swim with them as well?”

“Kanzu!” Raym interrupts while grabbing her. “Now is not the time, yeah?”

“Then I suggest you speak quickly, sister.”

“The boy was dying to see the whales and I needed a little fresh air. We didn’t even stay long, a few moments. We were on our way back, when he jumped us in a stairwell. I’m so, so sorry.”

“I’m so, so sorry, too, Auntie.”

“Where is he now?” Kanzu asks.

“In a storage room with a broken sensor lock and two empty alcohol containers I found in a nearby bin.”

“You should’ve seen Auntie,” the Japanese boy says. “She almost killed him.”

“I wasn’t about to bring more trouble to our cabin,” Raym says.

“How thoughtful,” Kanzu replies. “Anything else I should know before we leave this room?” Kanzu asks.

“He must’ve tracked your scent on me,” Raym says.

“We go,” Kanzu says. “Now.”

They grab their backpacks, exit the cabin, speed walk through the corridor, and blend in with a group of passengers heading for the exit. The Japanese boy walks ahead of them with his head down. Kanzu gently elbows Raym and slyly nods upward, silently tipping Raym off to avoid the security camera above them.

“I hope your foodie friend takes care of our stalker problem,” Raym whispers.

Approaching the exit, Kanzu and Raym look around while the Japanese boy fidgets.

“I don’t have a scent,” Kanzu says.

“Then we’re fortunate,” Raym responds.

The trio make it to the exit, where an armed Okinawan port officer scans their wristlets. Cleared for entry, the trio hurries off the dock as more armed port officers arrive and board the Zanta Golo. Kanzu, Raym, and the Japanese boy speed walk to the port entrance and look up to see a ten-foot hologram of a Filipina in her late twenties smiling down at them. The lifelike hologram wears a nameplate on the chest of her Okinawan Republic Uniform:

CAMPOS

“Welcome to the Republic of Okinawa,” the Filipina hologram greets. “I’m Paz Campos, Port Authority Manager. I and my team will try to make your arrival as efficient as possible. Please respect our laws, land, and locals. Failure to comply may result in your expulsion…or termination. Enjoy your stay!”

The trio negotiate their way through the crowded port filled with Terran vendors hawking a variety of goods and services. They walk toward a clearing where most of the passengers rendezvous with their local contacts. The Japanese boy’s eyes light up.

“Mother?” he says.

Kanzu and Raym spot the Japanese boy’s Okinawan mother with outstretched arms.

“Kujo!” the Japanese mother cries as they run toward each other.

The Japanese boy and his mother embrace as Kanzu and Raym approach them. Tears down her face, the Japanese mother turns to them and smiles.

“I can never thank you enough,” she says.

“The pleasure was ours,” Raym replies.

“I didn’t think I’d see my boy again.”

Raym turns to Kanzu, who bows.

“Kujo’s a very special boy,” Kanzu says. “He’d make an excellent pilot.”

Kanzu winks at the smiling Japanese boy.

“My name is Jei,” the Japanese mother says as she bows.

“Jay,” Raym repeats.

Smiling at the Japanese mother, she bows then points to herself and says, “Raym.”

Raym then points to Kanzu who bows and opens her mouth to speak.

“Kaan-zoo.”

“C’mon ladies,” Syrric interjects. “We don’t have all rotation.”

Kanzu and Raym turn to see Syrric, a cybernetic Okinawan brunette with wide eyes, a metal breast, and tan skin covering two-thirds of her body, appear beside the Japanese mother and son. They also notice her implant.

“You must me Syrric,” Kanzu says.

Syrric bows.

“At your service.”

The Japanese boy walks over to Kanzu and hugs her.

“Arigato,” he says with a bow. “Grats!”

Kanzu bows and replies, “Ar-ree-gah-toe.”

The Japanese boy embraces Raym, who gently pats him on the back.

“Grats, Auntie,” he says. “Please come visit.”

Raym kneels to his level.

“At my first opportunity,” Raym replies. “Until then, obey and protect your mother, yeah?”

The Japanese boy nods. Raym kisses him on the forehead. He rejoins his mother. The Japanese mother and her boy bow once more before walking home together. Raym’s eyes well with water as Syrric quietly slides beside her.

“I know, right?” Syrric says.

Raym wipes her face and turns to Syrric.

“Got anything to eat?” Raym asks.

“My chariot awaits,” Syrric says.

She walks toward the parking lot. Raym and Kanzu follow. Kanzu turns to Raym.

“The salty air irritates my eyes,” Raym says.

“Agreed,” Kanzu replies.

Kanzu and Raym catch up to Syrric as they walk toward the parking lot.

“You two must have big shiny balls to be making this trip,” Syrric says. “Your brother bleed Xeno shit, or what?”

“He bleeds red, like us.”

Lagging behind, Raym observes Syrric’s cybernetic backside.

“Like the view, Raym?” Syrric asks.

“Huh?” Raym asks, looking up at the sky.

Kanzu briefly looks back at Raym as Syrric chuckles.