"Sorry, old friend," she murmured. "I don't walk away. I end things."

She knew that voice. It belonged to a ghost she had buried herself, five years ago in the Lanjut Uplink Riots.

"Min," she said softly, stepping into the light. "Start the clock. I’m going to make them remember why you never leave a Caca Omek a clear shot at the truth."

Min buzzed once more. "Last check. Are you sure?"

The story of Lanjut ML01-16-21 didn't end that night. But it did change. And at the center of the storm, grinning through the static, was Caca Omek—half myth, half muscle, and all trouble.