The first rays of faux-sunlight filtered through the cracked dome above Neon Borough—District 17 of Earth's last semi-functional vertical city. It wasn't real sunlight, not anymore. Just the filtered glow of UV simulators desperately trying to mimic a world long lost to climate failures and orbital debris. But to MeMe, the light was enough. She stretched on the floor of her cluttered single-room cube, her endless light-blue hair cascading in tangles over wires, synth-pillows, and scattered plushies. It took five minutes to comb just the left side of her head. She gave up halfway through, as usual.
11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBJrnSoWnMs
11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtdnpSmaLWR
She blinked her star-sparkled eyes—soft points of glowing silver dancing in her irises—and reached for her pink-laced hoodie. Too tight at the hips. Again. She tugged and twisted until it settled awkwardly over her pear-shaped frame. "Normal girls fit into their hoodies," she mumbled to herself, frowning. "Normal girls don't knock over furniture when they walk."
11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGbMVHgHLV0
11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡubHqV4uL2k
A vending catbot chirped and tossed her a foil-wrapped breakfast cube.
11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXQNNY9aGlK
11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7tYBsGV80c
"Thanks, Mr. Whiskers," she said, taking a bite. It tasted like synthetic strawberries and sadness.
11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3sgQyS9Tl8
11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHw8uQnbqAP
She wasn't born here. Not really. MeMe's origin was lost between dimensions, the result of an experiment, or a mistake, or maybe a miracle. Nobody quite knew. Least of all her. All she knew was she didn't belong—not on Earth, not in the sky cities, not anywhere. Every time she tried to join something—school, clubs, meetups—someone whispered behind her back. Too weird. Too bright. Too much.
11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKa7yj5ItDv
11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3VQsvYGHOM
Still, she smiled. Always smiled.
11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC59WisEeyX
11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIoO1fbJM0y
It wasn't until she stumbled over a glitching drone delivery box outside her door that her fate changed.
11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLQ3gIPT9tC
11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVKdANheOg4
Wrapped in static field plastic, a crumpled newspaper fell out—the real kind, paper and ink, like from old vids. MeMe blinked in confusion. "What are you?"
11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj0rakamjkD
11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4T7OpaxS37
The headline hit her like a plasma bolt:
11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpiOAfbIMGP
11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡINaCduUy49
"THE IRON CIRCUIT RETURNS: A WISH FOR THE WINNER"
11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLrzTGyR1K2
11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzxD2WQk5pY
Her fingers trembled as she smoothed the wrinkled sheet across the floor. There it was—images of monstrous vehicles blazing through space storms, jagged asteroid belts, molten deserts. Racers from across the galaxy, some scarred, some legendary, some long thought dead.
11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡntaLyMLmM9
11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfk3zn4e4MG
And beneath the article's body in bold lettering:
11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOX9qA4nH9c
11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtEbzn3WkYO
"One wish. No restrictions. Anything."
11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVu531iOjTX
11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX3bRd54ybD
Her eyes widened. Anything. Not credits. Not fame. A wish. Her thoughts spiraled.
11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnZ2sXIbXNS
11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7C9PY8hJ33
What if I wished to be normal?
11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7wXoQbSVtp
What if I wished to be human?
11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSHpKcjtNWn
What if… people stopped staring? What if I could finally fit in?
11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZAAWHizyXv
11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHJ1o0pFXJT
Mr. Whiskers meowed in digital confusion as MeMe stood up too quickly, nearly toppling the vending unit. She clutched the paper to her chest, breath quickening.
11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡak3vzHzlYO
11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg8iOUC8FlZ
"I'm doing it," she whispered, almost afraid to say it out loud. "I'm going to enter. I'll win. I'll wish it all away."
11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8eWKjZnnnM
11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ22nWL5vEli
Of course, she had no vehicle. No weapons. No AI system. No combat training. No allies. Just thrift-store boots, a busted hover-skateboard, and unshakable optimism.
11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA2CC1j3h0L
11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXlgs046r3I
But that was MeMe—naive, determined, heart too big for her body and dreams too wide for the stars.
11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtJzm7HJatB
11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6CvGHWZ9Cz
So she set off, the paper folded tightly in her bag, the dream sharper than a laser blade.
11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxvqSOjvMej
11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuHzOaElj7K
Mexico.
11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqrYVGPl5ah
11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdBkPztJ494
Not the Mexico she had read about in old netbooks—the one with blue oceans and jungles thick with life. This was Neo-Mexico, a dusty, heat-scorched launch compound built on the bones of ancient ruins and corporate scrapyards. The skies above churned with storm-scarred clouds and orbital trails, and all around her, the air buzzed with anticipation and machine static. Engines roared like gods caged in steel.
11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG9auMnrsDp
11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXMaNJbw3Cw
MeMe stood at the edge of the massive starting arena, her travel cloak flapping in the dry wind. Her boots were stained from the hundred miles she walked and glided and begged her way through, just to reach this place. Her hoverboard had died outside a rusted-out solar farm three days back. She hadn't slept in nearly two.
11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3gXWltHXs9
11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAXqfWuQqsz
Still, she was here. Somehow.
11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0GLc6DS87i
11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFe8mvdtHZ1
The racer intake line stretched for miles, a neon chain of metal giants and monster pilots. Some looked like walking tanks. Others shimmered with cybernetics and scars that told a lifetime of war. A few barely looked alive. And then there was MeMe—a wide-eyed girl with tangled hair, legs that didn't fit her body, and a jacket two sizes too small.
11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRfXu9HaZHu
11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4eZbOYOQBo
People stared. They always stared. Some snickered. Others rolled their eyes. One cyborg pointed and said, "Lost, sweetheart?"
11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaNz3SbWv9J
11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY6Mh9xh6sg
MeMe smiled awkwardly. "Nope. Just… early."
11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV6TnBFIugA
11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡubi7yHqyAz
She clutched the newspaper—the same one she'd carried from her apartment like a holy relic. She had folded it, smoothed it, read it a thousand times. The headline had faded, but the wish at the end still burned in her chest.
11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVo0nHCB8pW
11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVXzE1LRiS8
At the sign-up station, a tired AI bureaucrat with holographic lips blinked at her.
11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKFgQ9RIR76
11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ99QwCR5zgU
"NAME?"
11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡruOgrPwJry
"MeMe."
11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡysOP14IdUX
"SPECIES?"
11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFwxU9lEpfn
"Um. I dunno. Just… MeMe."
11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8fzriSOQZU
"VEHICLE TYPE?"
11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgPN4ed5U1t
"I don't have one yet. But I will. I promise."
11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ30VoDLHfYl
11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbBhCztA0Z9
The AI paused longer than it should have. Its scanners swept over her, evaluating everything from body mass to retinal patterns to probability of survival.
11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWNlWJCy1mR
11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ06WRUKiShb
"ACCEPTED."
11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡckPKxErGHU
"DO NOT DIE."
11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ11UE4vL969
11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBWwGbS9yRJ
She nearly cried on the spot.
11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKR5wxTaIXT
11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCj5nH5izUR
A wristband snapped into place on her arm, glowing a faint purple with her race ID. She looked at it like it was magic. Like it meant she existed—that she wasn't invisible anymore. That someone—something—had finally said yes.
11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBgRVv89Dn9
11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmmPg0PxNGH
MeMe spent the next day wandering the launch city: a bizarre bazaar of alien mechanics, black market dealers, fuel-chugging engineers, and racers doing last-minute adjustments on their beasts. She slept in an alley under a neon taco sign, the burrito vendor giving her free food out of pity or curiosity. She woke to the sound of someone being punched through a vending machine.
11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMG8zzgkH7Y
11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡThAevYgBm7
And still, she waited.
11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzEPjpdSIQW
11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDDiRURVhOz
Each day the anticipation thickened, like storm clouds swelling before the downpour. Racers tested their vehicles, fans arrived in ships as large as moons, and the Galactic Broadcast drones hovered everywhere, recording interviews and leaks for the trillions of spectators watching from across the stars.
11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG5eoI3w9gz
11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ31Zk4mt9VC
She had no fame. No backers. No armor.
11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4IpV3fvOlJ
11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjQGJmss6QD
But she had a reason.
11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpdVLaiuqpP
11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw8tOQBV9cs
And as she sat alone on the edge of the stadium wall, legs dangling over the edge of the launch pit, she whispered to herself:
11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRyFhxMzhUs
11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFmGuABxeqb
"I don't need to be the strongest. I just need to make it to the end. Then… I'll make my wish. And everything will be okay."
11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1HFx87XpMs
11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnXLidxk4hy
Behind her, the gates of the Iron Circuit rumbled as the countdown to launch day began.
11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡldlaPsLcQv
11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6MC7JhVZCu
Around her, thousands of racers flexed metal muscles, cracked knuckles, and revved up with cybernetic humming. Smoke coiled from the exhaust vents of nearby launch pits, and drones hovered above like hungry vultures with cameras.
11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuVjkUkNnHD
11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg52cz8Ook7
And then, it rose.
11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEBLncEIDmN
11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6VJv5YhgOW
A towering, golden automaton emerged from the center of the Iron Circuit's launch arena, taller than any building MeMe had ever seen. A mechanical giant with a spiral of satellites rotating around its skull, and arms folded like a judge awaiting judgment. When it spoke, its voice rang not through speakers but through the very bones of every being present.
11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUnjZmmOu5r
11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ48VsUjcKox
"WELCOME, RACERS. YOU STAND ON THE PRECIPICE OF GLORY, RUIN, AND THE INFINITE."
11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY1ragwm1H1
11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJHHKzuqVQJ
MeMe's heart beat like a trapped star in her chest. She whispered, "This is really happening..."
11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO9LrNdXyK2
11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPPkJ0jhTJF
The giant's eyes lit up in four blazing colors—red, green, blue, and black—and the ground shook.
11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOuIEAKwmp2
11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvExQzyEUby
"CHOOSE YOUR DESTINY. CHOOSE YOUR VEHICLE. ONLY FOUR DESIGNS. EACH A TRIAL."
11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk8coyLHko2
11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7h8OxqmKZL
From massive underground vaults, sleek platforms rose—each holding rows of glimmering, dangerous machines. Racers surged toward the edges to see. So did MeMe, gripping the rail with trembling hands.
11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1OeTe0wpVy
11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡatI0xIbper
The giant raised one hand, and from its palm, holograms blazed into the sky:
11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ21EOHmFf3G
11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqwp8m8oZQq
Type I – Velocity Class (Blue)
11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBzAt9tCgEf
Blazing fast. Jetstream-grade acceleration. Can outrun nearly anything.
11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTYbPmOt9M8
Weakness: Light armor. One good hit can take it out.
11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmiR7CTyyya
11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ83QFkItpJk
Type II – Fortress Class (Green)
11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBIIFx4UkTI
Heavily armored. Near-impenetrable. Built like a tank.
11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHOXUheJRDC
Weakness: Incredibly slow. Easy to outmaneuver.
11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2FGwRztYPA
11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Z7aMrypUC
Type III – Ghost Class (Black)
11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoM8ey8lgNP
Invisibility enabled. Perfect for stealth and ambush.
11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVleD9DfJuc
Weakness: No weapons. Requires finesse, not firepower.
11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6iqBx7IJDG
11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxkmemMpdW3
Type IV – War Class (Red)
11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuAK20NI73b
Well-balanced. Comes with high-grade weaponry.
11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlaO4xKjmbV
Weakness: Burns through space-fuel fast. Risk of stalling mid-leg.*
11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNQ71wJDEYq
11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqeRkfEF1IB
MeMe gulped. "We… have to pick those?"
11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYWIGws6sGi
11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSPD12NXASq
"WHEN THE GATES OPEN, YOU HAVE THREE MINUTES TO CLAIM YOUR MACHINE. IF YOU MUST FIGHT, FIGHT. IF YOU MUST BLEED, BLEED. IF YOU FAIL—PERISH IN THE DUST."
11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkdfKqak8rv
11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjXmqC2etpY
The racers tensed. Muscles coiled. Weapons drawn.
11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqaccWkEdBz
11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa1LZW1nbbF
MeMe's eyes darted between the vehicle zones—each one glowing in its assigned color. She didn't know what to choose. She barely knew what she was doing here. The stealth one seemed clever—but it couldn't protect her. The tank was safe—but too slow. The war model was terrifying.
11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ61NRxIbyz
11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcwCCXuK4Qj
But the Velocity Class—fast, sleek, agile. It reminded her of herself. Not strong. Not armored. But always moving. Always trying.
11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN2A3Lxx3Jk
11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH7K8uARSRb
Maybe speed was her only real weapon.
11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3NEzBBQ5nl
11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRgyGluncjh
The gates before them hissed, steam erupting from pressure valves. Sand blasted the crowd. The arena dimmed like a held breath.
11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNOf1nASlLQ
11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaTKqgDBBgk
"THE GATES WILL OPEN IN—3…"
11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA7HuCCaqHS
11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4B4yJDSo2e
MeMe stepped forward, heart pounding.
11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHHGK5cBFlt
11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUKHFvIwU3X
"2…"
11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKPFcc6Go00
11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv8fF8PvWHM
A tear traced her cheek. She didn't know if it was fear or hope.
11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcjagBJ9LGL
11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqjeT2SjZ4h
"1."
11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs4e95ZiNtU
11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMCMZVv8cf3
The gates exploded open.
11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2I8K0Xhbol
11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDy33H8ffu5
All four classes of vehicles stood gleaming on their pedestals, bathed in colored light. A storm of racers erupted forward, shouting, charging, shoving, gunning for their pick.
11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf6FCWOxgqw
11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3AU40MMjId
MeMe stumbled, then bolted.
11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfpDwpnreae
11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0jdWCXON3C
Lasers cracked in the air. Smoke bombs exploded. Someone screamed. The whole arena became a battlefield. Racers tackled each other to the ground, slammed fists into helmets, pulled blades from boots. One vehicle was already set ablaze by a sabotage grenade.
11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXeV65TA8pZ
11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg9ngWdos9U
She dodged under a fighter's leg, spun past a mech with a missile arm, and sprinted into the Velocity Class zone—bright blue lights pulsing like a heartbeat.
11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG6xj0tTAVh
11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUc8sSJstT6
A sleek, compact car sat near the far corner. Aerodynamic, like a bullet wrapped in chrome. Engine glowing soft cyan. Untouched. Overlooked.
11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb3D7FUVvhH
11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJWZlP58BbC
She skidded beside it, heart pounding.
11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2NXdagJFp6
11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡptxSS0mkXI
It looked fast.
11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqnPYPC1ykx
11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI4kHCnZ4CY
Not powerful. Not scary. But fast. Like it could carry her away from everything—judgment, fear, shame. Like it could fly.
11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH2NHOtimv3
11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4cNaVpCSPQ
She touched the door, and it whirred open with a welcoming hiss.
11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdeLlvAYnep
11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdcnHcEfP08
"WELCOME, PILOT."
11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ8zZNTLd9D
"DESIGNATION: STREAK-9. VELOCITY CLASS. HOPE YOU LIKE SPEED."
11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhATtKSgVT1
11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzz1sN3c1xC
She smiled, breath catching.
11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgdZypCaXT0
11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjPvhP75jMJ
"I just want to catch up."
11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyb9cqtFFgq
11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡft6KLsSC6Q
She slid into the cockpit.
11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxjzHL5luSg
11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBxxXaV7uog
3:00 MINUTES UNTIL LAUNCH.
11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNiWJv1Dpjh
11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfZ9unC9hGd
As MeMe sat in the driver’s seat, hands gripping the steering wheel, she glanced around the interior of the sleek trial vehicle. The engine hummed softly, the tinted windows cloaked her in a strange silence. Her heart thudded with anticipation.
11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT5J2hFe0cu
11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡreaO1hkhLZ
Suddenly, the passenger-side door clicked open.
11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkTzTk3jVSK
11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYnFtEbIWAN
A man stepped in.
11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjtbnFDxdSL
11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnv4TVGt6Ei
He was about average to slightly above-average height, with a medium-athletic build. His skin was a warm, rich brown, but what stood out immediately were his striking features—snow-white hair that fell in jagged layers, and sharp, purple eyes that gleamed with confidence. Under his left eye was a small black tattoo-like logo that read: RO RO.
11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu0LP2vzWVD
11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ6jsKCPgQt
His arms were clearly robotic, sleek chrome with intricate plating and subtle whirrs with every movement. His teeth gleamed oddly—as if they, too, were cybernetic. And, frustratingly enough, he was extremely handsome. Unfairly so.
11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUecsT6s5oV
11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVpR3ak5s3N
MeMe blinked in confusion. “U-uh, excuse me, sir… t-this is my car.”
11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡglIkwLALfb
11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz9mt37HvMm
The man didn’t even flinch. He casually leaned back in the seat, folding his arms. “Yeah, I know. I was going for this car too, but you beat me to it,” he said coolly, flashing a grin. “So I guess that means we’re teammates.”
11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNZrLBRcM2o
11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuIowf4jTLh
“We are…?” MeMe tilted her head, baffled.
11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtNEMmw2mSW
11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPr4E6rOiiO
“Yup. Course we are.” He stretched his arms behind his head. “Hey, AI—are we allowed to panther up with people or what?”
11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV6NP9hgO9k
11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡew8xz8jYcH
The neutral voice of the AI responded promptly.
11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxEhbGTwrq4
11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJcp4E7C7xv
“There are no rules preventing players from teaming up. You may form alliances freely. However, the statistical likelihood of a stable team formation is approximately 0.0000000000001%.”
11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpH11Opej5c
11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG9WhUQbvZ2
MeMe’s eyes widened. “Whoa. That low?”
11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0f9kpsyWYV
11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcJRsQKrEmk
“Yeah, so enjoy this moment, alien girl,” Ro-Ro said with a smirk, wagging a finger at her. “It’s rare to find someone lucky enough to team up with me.”
11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzQZhuDV1wN
11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNhHrPNwdLX
MeMe smiled awkwardly. “Well, I’m MeMe! Nice to meet you.”
11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuBUoRh5XlP
11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdNwjyHjGnk
The man nodded once. “My name’s Rocco. But you—you—call me Ro-Ro. Got it?”
11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV1oeNO3MDk
11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlxkFL8QdYh
MeMe blinked again. “Yes, Rot-Rot.”
11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlsDT5CQAtl
11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6spmOYPcjw
Ro-Ro narrowed his eyes, then groaned loudly. “No no no, you idiot.” He leaned over and knocked lightly on her forehead like it was a door. “ROOOOO-ROOOOO. Say it with me. Not Rot-Rot. What the hell is a Rot-Rot? Sounds like a damn gremlin.”
11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIQsqMp6a7o
11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwy0ohVxW1G
MeMe giggled. “Sorry! Ro-Ro.”
11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlmRHORYsua
11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAlKdcgN0nU
“Good,” he said, sitting back smugly. “Now, I’m gonna make sure you don’t crash this damn thing. You drive like a squirrel with a sugar rush.”
11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmXOiXd9LSG
11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI1R656Wa7d
“Hey!” MeMe pouted, but she couldn’t help smiling. He was rude, sure—but there was something oddly charming about him.
11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGsqBOH1HWm
11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK8mK8V29TN
In her mind, she wondered:
11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6zsGPB9qPk
11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqV1F3bsnr1
A human wants to team up with me? I thought all humans hated aliens… but he’s different. Ki
11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjdvnx5lce9
nda loud. Kinda rude… but kinda fun, too.
11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCkOLJHM6LT
11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8JeynuOUpk
Ro-Ro cracked his knuckles, eyes fixed ahead. “Alright, MeMe. Let’s win this damn thing. And try not to annoy me too much, yeah?”
11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9h2eJSuB61
11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnMFsKJ9ivf
“Okay!” she chirped.
11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHxcn0izUC6
11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ1Z9tXZUuJ
AI: "Trial syncing in 3… 2… 1..."
ns216.73.216.79da2
