Black Heart Machine had seen Reginleif from afar. She had come into the Peak like a rolling grey cloud; thunderous and hell-bent on striking some of the other sisters like lightning. In all her years, she had seen women like her before. They wanted to fight because it gave them a rush, it made them feel greater to clash with others, to show them power in the form of physical prowess. These sorts were fine, but they tended to underestimate women like Black Heart Machine. She may tend to deal with matters in a more covert sense, but she had been in more battles for the Vulcan cause than any of them.

“I see you’ve found my favorite overlook,” Machine grinned, prodding Reginleif ever so slightly to see if she was foolish enough to challenge the dark mare’s authority. With a flick of her tail, the Vulcan Codebreaker moved alongside her, sharing the ledge.

“Not too satisfied with the view?” Reginleif’s hardened stare was not lost on Black Heart Machine. She had a sneaking suspicion that the actual view was fine, but she wanted the grey mare to open up to her—to share her concerns with her. If Reginleif truly wanted to improve the Peak, to fight for their cause, then she had to fully understand it. She had to realize it was not entirely about brute strength and force. It was about equality, and one could not fight for equality unless they could admonish the notion of arrogance.

BLACK HEART MACHINE