Live And Let Dae
Alarms blare, and lights blink throughout the speeding minisub. Everyone except for Shinzo wears their watermask.
“I’ve got a hull breach,” Minnie warns.
“What’s the bad news?” Genji asks.
“Hydrospeed pressure’s the only thing keeping me intact,” Minnie replies.
“I’m outta suggestions,” Shinzo says.
“I’ve got one,” Minnie replies. “But I’m not sure you’ll wanna front row seat for this show.”
“We can’t let you have all the fun, now can we?” Shinzo asks.
“Brace for-” Genji shouts when he notices Kanzu and Shinzo frantically typing into the console.
“I think I understand now,” Shinzo says.
“Apologies, Minnie,” Kanzu says.
Minnie’s digital face appears on the displays.
“Thanks for the helping hand,” Minnie says. “I’ll take it from here.”
“Prepare to abandon!” Shinzo yells.
Kanzu attempts to retrieve her hard-to-reach dark coin, but Genji stops her.
“We can bring Minnie back,” Genji says. “But, your friend will die for nothing if you go.”
Kanzu nods and goes with Genji to the cargo bay. Shinzo he looks up at Minnie’s digital face on the displays.
“We’ll come back for you,” Shinzo says.
“Sorry, I let you down,” she responds.
“Never,” Shinzo says.
A digital tear runs down her face.
“Get outta here,” she barks.
Shinzo joins the others in the cargo bay as Minnie shuts the control room door behind him. Sparks fly as the door to the airlock shuts as well. The minisub speeds through the water while everyone secures themselves in a seat. Genji and Shinzo flip down wall panels for form seats that they secure themselves in. Sitting next to each other, Kanzu and Brazin gaze into each other’s eyes. Brazin winks at her. Using her wristlet, Sofi initiates a signal transmission to her mysterious contact on shore.
The hull slowly contracts from the outside speed and pressure. Electrical systems begin to falter. Minnie’s smiling digital faces light up the few working monitors left.
“See you on the other side,” Minnie says before her digital face vanishes.
The minisub performs a hard right turn, at an extremely high rate of speed, in an effort to slow its momentum. Small boosters attempt to slow the minisub, but there’s too much speed as it careens right toward the coast. Minnie transfers power from the lights to the remaining shields, which evaporate when the minisub slams along a small island a mile from shore and runs aground underwater.
Moments later, Kanzu’s watermask display shows Brazin shaking her awake in a bay filled with water. Shinzo’s eyes light up as he helps lead everyone to the stern. The mechanoid forces the airlock door open and floats aside to let Genji, Sofi, Kanzu, Brazin, then Ren through. He briefly looks toward the control room, then looks down at the x-sak and grabs it before following the others through the airlock.
Under cover of night, Ren swims up to the surface and looks around.
“Ren!” Genji yells.
Ren spots everyone except for Shinzo huddling on the small island a few miles from the former Japanese mainland. He swims over to them. Sofi unzips a side pocket and pulls out the thin e-pad protected in a vacuum-sealed pouch. She turns it on to search for a signal.
“How close did she get us?” Ren asks while panting.
“Close enough it seems,” Genji replies, pointing toward the mainland.
Kanzu and Brazin peek over Sofi’s shoulder to see her e-pad display showing a tiny, flashing dot about eight miles away.
“That’s a journey,” Kanzu says.
“Can you swim?” Sofi asks Kanzu.
“Yes.”
“But I can’t,” Brazin says.
Genji and Ren turn to see Shinzo approaching in a motoraft. Beside the mechanoid, a crate.
“Shin, you are the man!” Ren says.
“I’ll need a volunteer to hang on the opposite side from me,” Shinzo says.
“I’ll do it,” Kanzu says.
Ren climbs into the motoraft.
“No you didn’t,” Sofi responds.
“She volunteered,” Ren says.
“No time to argue,” Genji responds.
Shinzo exits the motoraft and pushes it away from shore. Brazin, Genji, and Sofi pile into the motoraft. Shinzo grabs one side while Kanzu hangs onto the other side. Sofi steers the motoraft toward the mainland. Sitting beside Genji, Ren looks at the crate, then Shinzo.
“All that hardware on board,” Ren laments. “You grab that.”
“You’re welcome to go back,” Shinzo replies.
Nearly eight miles later, the motoraft reaches the mainland and its occupants climb out. Shinzo grabs the crate, carries it a few yards inland, places it on the ground, and opens it. Inside the crate: six unused x-saks, a few weapons and some tech in vacuum-sealed bags.
Genji grabs Shinzo and kisses the mechanoid on his head.
“Let’s dig in,” Genji says.
Everyone grabs an x-sak and expands it, filling it with weapons or tech until they’re all full. They pair up and march inland, with Kanzu and Brazin bringing up the rear.
“You deceived me,” Brazin says.
“I didn’t think you’d approve.”
“Since when did my approval concern you?”
“You’re upset.”
“Of course I’m upset, Kanzu. But I’m also impressed.”
“It was never my intention to…impress?”
“I never felt so alive! How did you acquire such knowledge?”
“I studied my former masters for revolutions.”
“I couldn’t even comprehend.”
“It was extremely difficult.”
“You were that determined?”
“Since I could recall. But it was the only way I could escape my prison and-”
Brazin stops Kanzu.
“Escape?” he asks. “You mean…”
“Gunta followed me onto the ship.”
“You stole your masters’ ship?”
“Hey, lovebirds!” Genji yells, waving them to catch up.
Kanzu and Brazin continue walking.
“Tell me everything, Kanzu. From the beginning.”
Hirokuza
Shinzo’s eyes brighten the trail as he leads the group to Dae Jin Moon, a cybernetic Korean male standing beside his Hirokuza airvan. Dae has long hair, metallic arms, and laser tattoos covering all remaining flesh.
“What, no limo?” Ren rhetorically asks.
“For you?” Dae replies with a grin. “Only the worst.”
Ren and Dae face off when Sofi moves in between them and hugs the Korean cyborg.
If I knew you were going for a swim, I would’ve brought some towels.”
“A last-minute excursion,” Sofi replies.
Genji walks up to Dae, and they shake hands.
“Day,” Genji says. “Long time.”
“Genji,” Dae responds. “You guys okay?”
“Nothing a little rest can’t cure,” Shinzo interrupts as he steps up to Dae.
“My cyber-brotha from anutha mutha,” Dae says as the two embrace.
“Another upgrade, huh?” Shinzo asks.
“Look who’s talkin’?” Dae replies.
“Day, meet Kanzu and Brazin,” Sofi says.
Dae turns to the two hominoids and nods.
“No one told me there was a two-for-one sale,” Dae responds.
“Greetings,” Kanzu says.
Brazin nods.
“Talk about fresh off the boat,” Dae responds.
“Yeah, a shower would be nice,” Genji says.
“Hope you’re hungry first,” Dae replies.
“Anything but seafood,” Ren answers. “Please.”
Dae remotely opens the airvan’s rear cargo door for Kanzu, Brazin, Genji, and Ren to enter. Ren presses a button on the interior wall to close the cargo door. Sofi proceeds to the passenger side of the airvan’s cab and enters. Dae hops in the airvan’s driver seat and activates the autopilot. The airvan lights up, levitates, then propels forward.
The airvan’s interior walls display a virtual rendering of outside. The cab’s partition panel slides open to reveal Sofi smiling at them.
“Thought you might like a little ambiance,” Sofi says.
“A butt pillow would also be nice,” Ren responds.
“Butt…pillow?” Brazin whispers to Kanzu, who shrugs.
Sofi turns back around and sits. A few console buttons draw her attention.
“Whoa,” she says. “When you said this thing could fly, I didn’t think you were literal”
“Oh, this baby does more than just fly.”
“Dae Jin Moon, you sure know how to impress a lady.”
The Hirokuza airvan glides east along the magnetic freeway, or magway for short. It makes its way into the greater city limits and passes a large structure to the north. Peeking her head through the partition panel, Kanzu stares at the large structure and the elevated magways behind it.
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“Is that your capital?” Kanzu asks.
“Close,” Dae answers. “The Outlet.”
Sofi turns and adds, “Fighters compete for credits there.”
Dae's airvan cruises south into the city’s core district and parks in a marina parking lot behind a tall building overlooking the water. Everyone exits the airvan and follows Dae through the building’s loading dock. A Yakuza Protection Force officer leads them past workers and armed guards into a private locker room.
“You’ll have to leave your sacks here,” Dae says. “Fine establishment and all.”
Everyone places their x-sak in a personal locker while Shinzo plugs into a charging dock a few feet away.
“We got plenty of chargers upstairs, bro,” Dae says to Shinzo. “And a much better view.”
“I have everything I need right here,” Shinzo replies. “Arigato, Dae-san.”
“Suit yourself,” Dae says.
He takes the others to a private lift while Shinzo stands post while recharging. The private lift stops at the top level and opens. Dae leads the group down a back hall past the kitchen and waitstaff. They follow him into a private dining room with a one-way view of the rooftop restaurant, and another with a spectacular evening view of the bay. Kanzu and Brazin walk over to the one-way view overlooking the marina.
“If the archaics accomplished all this with their freedom, what would could we do with ours?” Kanzu whispers.
Ships, aircraft, and drones glide across the twinkling skyline.
“All right,” Dae says. “You’ve only got thirty-five minutes before they have to set up for the next party. No doggie bags, sorry.”
Appetizers and glasses of water rest on the table.
“You heard the man,” Genji says. “Bon appétit!”
Servers deliver trays of dried cockroaches for them to sample. Brazin grabs a grilled rodent stick and chows down. He looks over at the upscale clientele in the main dining area to see a variety of Terrans, hybreeds, and hominoids mingling. Only Dae partakes in any seafood dishes. Genji, Kanzu and Sofi walk over to Dae while Ren and Brazin eat, facing the main dining area to people watch.
“You tolerate all kinds here?” Kanzu asks Dae.
“We tolerate anyone with enough credits,” Dae answers.
“Heard Grandma’s acquired more real estate from the Yaks,” Genji says.
Dae turns to Genji and responds, “Public service has made the Yakuza complacent.”
“You mean corrupt?” Genji asks.
“Doesn’t help that the old hag’s charismatic as hell either,” Sofi says.
“Speaking of hags, guess who got placed on the main card this week?” Dae asks.
“No,” Genji replies.
“Here we go,” Ren says, rolling his eyes.
“Bon-zai!” both Genji and Dae chant.
“I thought she was scheduled for next month,” Genji says.
“She still is,” Dae replies. “But Samurai Sam twisted his ankle during training so he had to pull out. And the crazy bitch insisted on filling in.”
Brazin leans over to Sofi.
“What are they discussing?” Brazin asks.
“A popular hunting competition called The Outlet,” Sofi answers.
Dae activates a display that shows a holographic replay of an Outlet competition featuring a female hybreed cyborg with short, white hair and a chiseled body covered in circuitry. Wearing a pair of tactical gloves with electrical nodes covering the knuckles called e-nuks, she burns and bloodies two unfortunate contestants. Brazin’s eyes widen.
“That’s Bonzai?”
“Sure is,” Sofi answers. “The Outlet’s top hunter.”
“And Genji’s favorite,” Ren adds in a playful, feminine tone.
“Yeah, but this guy’s giving Bonzai a run for her credits,” Dae says. “Calls himself Razor.”
A short clip of a dark hominoid wearing a helmet and full tactical gear dismantling a large cyborg contestant plays.
“Razor?” Ren says. “Long time since I’ve seen one of those.”
“Or used one,” Sofi replies with her eyes on Ren’s crotch.
Dae zooms in on the hominoid fighter with blood on his face.
“Gunta!” Kanzu screams while pointing.
Everyone turns to her.
“Are you certain?” Brazin asks.
“He’s different, but I know my brother.”
“Razor is your brother?” Dae asks.
“Yes,” Kanzu answers.
“Talk about killing two birds,” Dae says.
“You want to kill my brother?” Kanzu asks with clenched fists.
Brazin slowly clenches his fists as well.
“It’s just an expression,” Sofi explains, then turns to Dae. “Right?”
“I simply meant we can help each other get who we want at the same time.”
“Grandma,” Genji says.
“He lives and trains in one of her wards,” Dae responds.
“Doesn’t seem like a fair trade,” Ren says with a mouthful of food as he rolls his eyes.
“’Cause it’s the only one on the table,” Dae replies. “So what’s it gonna be?”
Everyone stares at Genji, who then looks over at Kanzu.
“I will cover the extra expense,” Brazin says.
“Now that that’s settled, who’s up for dessert?” a smiling Dae asks.
After dinner, the lift stops at the ground floor and opens to laughter and cheers. The group is stunned to see a crowd surrounding Shinzo and a few building staff playing an old Asian dice game just outside the locker room. Shinzo makes one final roll and the crowd erupts. The spectators and participants turn to see the group watching them and freeze. Sofi leads Kanzu, Brazin, and Ren into the locker room.
“Pay up, fellas,” Shinzo says.
The losers electronically wire their hard-earned credits to Shinzo, who proudly shows Genji his winnings as the building staff scatter back to work.
“Not bad,” Genji says. “Now say goodbye to your little friends.”
Genji pulls Shinzo into the locker room.
“It was truly a pleasure!” Shinzo says while waving.
A-Hole for Short
Dae’s Hirokuza airvan pulls up to an Ōta River bridge checkpoint west of the city’s core district. Dae lowers his window, smiles, and transmits his Yakuza officer credentials to the female Yakuza Bridge Guard, who waves him through with a nod, wink, and a smile. The airvan cruises the magway and exits into the Old Naka Ward. Pedestrians swarm the streets.
“Just blast them out of the way,” Ren says.
Dae turns to Sofi.
“That’s the guy you left me for,” Dae quips.
“He has his moments,” Sofi responds.
Dae activates the airvan’s sonic disruptor and beams a focused, pulsing sound that disperses anyone in its path to move quickly or suffer an irritating migraine.
A few blocks down the street, the airvan slowly passes the opening garage door of a nondescript, white, three-story building which it then backs into. Once inside, the garage door closes. Everyone exits the airvan with their gear. Dae opens the interior door leading to stairs going up. Genji attempts to enter the stairwell when Dae stops him. Dae types into his wristlet, and the floor panel at the bottom of the stairs slides open, revealing a steel ladder going down. Dae climbs down first.
“Your boy’s full of surprises,” Ren whispers.
“He has his momenets,” Sofi replies, then heads down next.
Ren follows Sofi down the ladder. Kanzu goes next, followed by Brazin, then Genji. Bringing up the rear, Shinzo climbs down the steel ladder and finds the group between two steel gates blocking the north and south ends of the tunnel. The mechanoid looks up to see two deactivated autoguns flanking the floor panel as it closes. A series of dim lights illuminate the north tunnel. Noise from a distant subway train echoes.
“Pardon the mess,” Dae says.
“We’ve seen worse,” Sofi replies.
Smiling, Dae remotely opens the north gate and leads the group through. The gate automatically locks behind Shinzo. His infrared display identifies deactivated booby traps strategically placed throughout the tunnel.
“They’re tied to his vitals,” Shinzo silently relays only to Genji’s comchat.
“Yaks must be real desperate to roll out this red carpet,” Genji says.
“Plausible deniability,” Dae responds. “Grandma’s got a knock for sniffing out spies.”
He leads them into an open area with four more connecting tunnels.
“Or she’s got a knack for planting them,” Sofi responds.
Dae leads them down the second tunnel to their right. Another subway train rumbles nearby.
“So we’re your ace in the hole, that it?” Ren asks.
“Can I call you A-Hole for short?” Dae replies.
“Wouldn’t recommend it,” Ren responds.
After a few more minutes of walking, Dae stops at another steel ladder. A floor panel slides open at the top. Dae steps aside.
“Last stop,” he says.
Sofi nods to Ren who climbs first. Brazin follows Ren up. Kanzu turns to Dae and nods.
“Ar-ee-gah-toe,” Kanzu says.
Dae smiles, nods, and replies, “Gan-ba-tay.”
Kanzu climbs up. Genji taps Dae’s shoulder.
“Keep your comchat open,” he says.
Genji climbs the steel ladder. Shinzo and Dae exchange bows. The mechanoid follows Genji up. Dae turns to see Sofi staring at him.
“Don’t tell me you miss me already,” Dae says.
“Something tells me we’re not gettin’ the whole story,” Sofi responds.
“Because we rarely do, Soaf. Good luck.”
They kiss each other on the cheek. Sofi climbs up the ladder. Smiling, Dae watches her until the floor panel above shuts.
Up top, Brazin and Ren help Sofi up. She looks around to find them hiding in a secluded corner behind a stack of crates. Kanzu peeks around a stack to see an automated trash recycler pickup area. Trash pours down from chutes and into empty the dumpsters. The full dumpsters then then slide into rows for retrieval. The sapien team members hunch behind Shinzo while he scans the large room. The mechanoid signals the coast is clear. Genji and Ren lead the group through the unattended room. Sofi looks up to notice all of the security cams looking away from them. They arrive at a metal door and exit into an alley. Exiting last, Shinzo shuts the metal door behind him.
In the building’s camera room, a grinning security officer strategically directs the interior security cameras to avoid capturing the group. He does the same with the alley cameras as they make their escape. The security officer activates an encrypted comchat.
“All clear,” he says.
“As are you,” Dae replies via comchat.
The security officer checks his personal display, revealing a substantial credit transfer into hi account. He smiles and leans back in his chair.
The group blends into the crowded streets. Weaving through pedestrians, Kanzu marvels at the various Terran-looking hominoids and hybreeds among the populace.
“Kanzu,” Brazin whispers for her to focus.
The group walks about four long blocks, turning down a side street and stopping at a nondescript, two-story building two blocks down. Sofi transmits a code from her wristlet to unlock the door, and they quickly enter the building.
Inside, Sofi activates the lights. She spots the living area with sofa, a private bedroom, private bathroom, kitchenette, dining table, and a small pantry.
“Your boy toy couldn’t get us a penthouse?” Ren says.
“Guess they were all booked,” Sofi replies.
“It is tourist season,” Shinzo says.
Kanzu walks over toward the window blinds. She slowly extends her finger toward a button on the wall beside the window when Shinzo grabs it.
“I wouldn’t do that,” Shinzo advises.
Brazin stands beside Kanzu as she pulls her hand back.
“Apologies,” Kanzu says.
“This ain’t a staycation,” Genji barks. “We gotta job to do.”
“Easy peasy,” Sofi says.
“Easy peasy,” Kanzu mimics.
“Sacks open for inventory,” Shinzo orders.
“I’ll take first,” Genji says.
Everyone opens their x-sak and unloads their gear for Shinzo’s accounting in the living area. Kanzu walks over to the closet door and opens it to find six hooded ponchos hanging above a plastic chest. She caresses the fabric on one of the ponchos when Sofi walks over.
“Laser-resistant,” Sofi says. “Courtesy of the Yakuza Protection Force.”
Ren walks over to the small pantry and opens it to reveal dried protein treats and empty canteens inside.
Standing beside Shinzo, Genji opens a small plastic box from his x-sak and opens it. He pulls out a palm and retinal scanner and a thin plastic case. He carries them to the dining table and sets the thin plastic case down. Genji fully expands the palm and retinal scanner and sets it on the dining table as well. He then grabs the thin plastic case, opens it, and pulls out five round, flat molds with precut holes for the nostrils and mouth.
Shinzo walks over to Genji, pulls a wire from his body, and plugs it into the palm and retinal scanner.
“These will clear the normal checks,” Shinzo explains. “Further scrutiny could pose a problem.”
“Soaf,” Genji calls out as he activates the box. “You’re up.”
Sofi steps up and places her right hand on the scanner.
“What is that?” Brazin asks.
“False credentials,” Shinzo replies. “To avoid detection.”
“More deception,” Brazin says.
“Out here, deception is required for survival,” Shinzo responds.
“Then I’m in good company,” Brazin quips.
The scanner’s light indicator turns green and Sofi repeats the process with her left hand. Kanzu and Brazin watch as Genji sets one of the flat molds on Sofi’s face and attaches the connecting wire to both the mold and scanner. Shinzo activates the scanner, and the mold dissolves into Sofi’s face until it completely vanishes and the indicator light turns green. Kanzu walks over to Sofi and caresses her face. Brazin studies the scanner’s small display which features a random female’s bio file.
“You archaics are much smarter than I imagined,” Kanzu says.
“Grats,” Sofi responds. “I think.”
“Yes,” Kanzu says while nodding. “That is correct.”
“Bray,” Ren says. “Your turn.”
Shinzo completes Genji’s scanning process. Staring at her reflection on the bathroom display, Kanzu caresses her face in a vain attempt to find any trace of the flat mold. Behind her, Brazin also studies his face.
“I look the same,” Brazin says. “Yet I feel different.”
“As do I,” Kanzu replies.
Shinzo uploads his own false bio as a maintenance worker. He then wipes all data from the scanner’s memory. Genji and Sofi grab a canteen and a few dried insect bars from the small pantry and eat. Ren walks over to the small pantry and spot some rodent jerky on a shelf. His eyes light up and he reaches for one.
“Don’t even think about it,” Sofi says in a firm tone.
Deflated, Ren sighs and grabs a few insect bars along with a canteen. He walks over to the sink and fills the canteen with water. Kanzu and Brazin walk over to the small pantry, each grabbing a canteen and food.
“Oh-eight-hundred, ladies and gentlemen,” Genji orders.
“I’ll take graveyard,” Shinzo says.
“Let’s flip for the bedroom,” Ren says.
“Our clients paid for this trip,” Genji responds.
“So did Minnie,” Ren counters.
“One night then,” Sofi says. “They deserve a little privacy.”
Both with full mouths, Kanzu and Brazin reply, “Grats.”
“They’re cleaning the sheets,” Ren jokes
“Kanzu, Brazin,” Sofi says. “Good night.”
Kanzu and Brazin nods.
“In the light,” Kanzu and Brazin respond.
Everyone else nods as they enter the bedroom.
“I like that,” Sofi says.
“Just keep it in there okay?” Genji asks. “This ain’t a honeymoon.”
Brazin nods before sliding the bedroom door shut.
“I’ll take second,” Sofi says.
She walks over to the sofa and lies down on it. Sofi activates the wall display, which shows a new report on alien felines called hellcats terrorizing a community in the northern district of the city.
“Guess I’m on third,” Ren says as he walks over to the closet.
He opens the plastic chest below the hanging ponchos, exposing small pillows on top of folded blankets. He takes them out and tosses Sofi and Genji each a pillow and blanket. He takes the remaining blanket and pillow for himself and prepares his bed on the floor.
Genji walks over to the window, activates the one-way display, and surveys the neighborhood and drones patrolling the skyline.
“So peaceful,” Genji says.
Ren passes gas.
“And so deadly,” Shinzo deadpans.
“Sorry,” Ren says.
“Permission to kill him in his sleep?” Sofi asks.
Genji smiles.
Minto
The Lorian supervisor’s six oculars independently stare at six random transparent cubes. All four of his grapplers are required to record all of the data gleaned from each cube. The Lorian supervisor’s drone hovers beside him while projecting a holographic image of another Lorian, who monitors them.
“Fascinating,” the holographic Lorian exclaims.
“A clever and versatile species,” the Lorian supervisor concurs.
“I want no cell overlooked.”
“Of course.”
“Any delay in progress will rest on you.”
“Understood,” the Lorian supervisor replies. “I do not wish to delay my return to the Homeworld.”
The Lorian supervisor and his drone exit the room with the holographic Lorian gliding with them.
“Unfortunately, travel to the Homeworld has been severely restricted for the time being. The entire system has reached critical mass. Overpopulation, wars on multiple fronts, and rapid expansion has resources to the limit.”
They halt their conversation as Yori approaches. Yori offers the Lorian salute as she continues past them down the hall. They continue walking.
“You promised a transfer home if I exceeded projections. I have family-”
“You are more fortunate than you realize, Supervisor Minto. That blue rock has increasingly become a vital asset to our species. I await your next report. For Loria!”
“For Loria!”
The hologram vanishes while the Lorian supervisor continues to his office. He enters and walks over to his hubble. The Lorian supervisor enters the hubble and activates it. Using all four grapplers and six oculars at lightning pace, he records all of the data that has been accumulated for the day.
The Lorian supervisor’s six oculars frantically dart in random directions. However, one of them locks onto a particular target. Another ocular locks onto the same target. The Lorian supervisor’s four arms continue to flail when his third ocular fixates on the same target. Then, his fourth. Fifth. Finally, his sixth ocular succumbs to peer pressure, locking in on the target.
Fluid drips from the creature as his four arms reduce speed to a halt. Slowly, the Lorian supervisor’s arms move while streams of data zip around him. Various sets of the same five Lorian symbols pop up in random spots around the Lorian supervisor. Four of the giant alien’s six oculars capture various sequences identifying individual transparent cubes that also correlate to the five Lorian symbols. The sequences turn red and flash in place as the Lorian supervisor’s grapplers increase their typing speed.