K1A1 watched and listened to Dögun, carefully committing the critical information he shared to her memory. She nodded in understanding.

“The Inlet will be protected.”

She meant it. K1A1 never lied. There was absolutely no reason for lies. If she was going to speak at all, she was going to speak the absolute truth, as she saw it. K1A1 lived entirely in the moment. Indeed, she obviously had a past, but she hadn’t thought about it in years. Frankly, there was no point in dwelling on days gone by. K1A1 knew only one direction—forward, towards a goal. The objective and the accomplishment of the objective was what mattered most, even if she had to trade her own life for it. Fortunately, thus far, this hadn’t been necessary.

She stepped through the trees into the picaresque clearing, a gust of cold wind lifting her deep black mane off her neck. K1A1 takes a deep breath and feels the slightest tinge of liveliness. It had been awhile since she had exerted herself with any degree of challenge. Perhaps once things were settled her she would find someone to spar with.

If K1A1 had such a thing as a hobby, maintaining her physique would qualify.

K1A1