The dumpster lit up in an incredible fashion. Fire rose high, ignited debris scattered. Sprite tumbled to safety, shielding her face to first look at the immediate danger of the explosion, then quickly shifting her attention to the machine.

This was it.

Sprite fired rapidly as she circled further away from Helen, trying to position herself for optimal firing. They needed the machine between them but not directly, or any stray bullet may hit the other. She aimed each shot to compound her efforts, hoping it eventually led to visible damage.

And suddenly the machine was on top of them.