Nevertheless, xe had to find Elsie and fast. Every technomancer was needed now more than ever.

At the first sight of danger, the richest fled.

Like a great horned owl, They glided over the battlefield, Their jet giving them a clear view of what was going on beneath Them: children swarming one another like two opposing colonies of Earth ants. Whoever would survive had a chance of reaching the stars on Their jet.

The only problem was that it was dead quiet, and everything was strewn around like after a battle.

That's good news.

I did not like where this was going.

The blaring metal music was cut shorter than a silenced mecha-crow's call when one of the scouts from the recently departed team rushed into the main room, ash-covered and bloodied.

The emperor penguins — actual emperor penguins and not holograms — were huddled around the zoologists as they made sure every single one of them was healthy.

I chuckled, trying to ignore the looks I got. I haven't talked with many holograms yet. A lot of them seem to ignore me.

The beast hologram walked past me. I was numb with fear, but I followed anyway. Whatever was going on — was I dreaming? Or hallucinating?? — I might find out soon.