The guardian orbiter shuttered, leg still raised. Smoke started to trail out the back panel and the machine fell over with a heavy crash.

Sprite investigated the machine, and it was indeed destroyed. Its innards were fried. For good measure, she grabbed several handfuls and ripped out whatever cords she could.

Then she went to Scotty and bent down in his face.

“Why are you so scared of me?” Sprite asked him.

Scotty wouldn’t make eye contact. “It’s all over the ace mech boards. You’re poison. The black mark.”

“What? The mark?”

Scotty nodded vigorously, still keeping his eyes averted.