Page 18 of The Misplaced Warrior

“That’s about like throwing a preschooler into grad school,” Bermuda said, pursing her lips in disapproval at this notion.

Gen actually grinned at this. “Yes, so I’m not the only one who thinks my boss is unreasonable.”

“Well, he might be, but you only look like the insane one if you rebel against him,” Bermuda stated. “If I can give any advice, don’t fight too much against the authority, until you have a case, that is. Otherwise, you only look like an insubordinate rebel without a cause.”

Gen nodded, thinking this was excellent advice. “Thank you. I’ll take that to heart.”

“In the meantime, would you like to see some magical creatures?” Bermuda offered. “They could help to fulfill your requirements.”

“Absolutely,” Gen agreed, excited.

“Follow me,” Bermuda said, waving her back through the door she’d come through.

As Gen followed Bermuda through the winding corridors of MystTech Creations, she couldn’t help but feel a sense of awe and unease. The giantess moved with a purposeful stride, her no-nonsense demeanor a stark contrast to the whimsical and bizarre creatures that had surrounded her at their last meeting.

“Now, listen up,” Bermuda began, her voice a commanding tone that echoed through the cavernous space. “What you’re about to see are some of the most fascinating and potentially dangerous creatures in existence. They’re the result of a strange evolution which is a fusion of magic and technology that’s unlike anything the world has ever seen.”

“So, you’re telling me that these creatures…they are actually animals? Like real living things?” Gen questioned, surprised by this new set of information.

Bermuda nodded. “They are. But the presence of technology and magic infused into their consciousness and DNA over time. This created a whole new species. I’m still studying them, but they aren’t magitech because they have a living component to them. It’s like they are living-magitech… I don’t know, I’m still working out the terminology.”

Gen nodded, her eyes wide with a mix of curiosity and trepidation as Bermuda led her into a vast, dimly lit room. The air hummed with a strange energy, and Gen felt the hairs on the back of her neck standing on end. She wasn’t sure why, but she felt on the precipice of learning something great and revolutionary that few, in this world, even knew about.

“First up, we have the Cyber-Pixies,” Bermuda announced, turning around to reveal several flying creatures behind her.

She gestured to a swarm of tiny, glowing creatures that buzzed and flitted through the air. They were no larger than a thumbnail, but their intricate, circuit-like wings and pulsing, neon bodies were mesmerizing to behold.

“These little guys can get into any electronic system and work their magic, debugging code and creating effects that are impossible to detect,” Bermuda explained carefully, motioning to the creatures in an array of colors. “But also, one should be careful with these clever little creatures. They’ve been known to cause a glitch or two if they’re not properly supervised or even if they are allowed to go wild. They can fix an advanced electronic system or they can fry it to irretrievable rubbish.”

“Wow, they are like little repair creatures,” Gen mused, amazed. She watched in awe as the Cyber-Pixies danced and swirled, their movements creating a dazzling display of light and color that seemed to defy the laws of physics. She reached out a tentative hand, and one of the pixies landed on her fingertip, its tiny feet tickling her skin.

Gen giggled, both from the sensation and from the surrealness of the experience. “Aren’t you cute?” she said to the creature.

It nodded and then flew away in a hurry, sending sparks of pixie dust in its wake.

“Next, we have the Holo-Griffins,” Bermuda continued matter-of-factly, like there was no time for dawdling.

The giantess pointed to a group in the corner. It was so dark there that Gen couldn’t make out much at first. However, after a few steps, the figures took shape and she could hardly believe what she was seeing.

There, huddled in the dark were majestic, translucent creatures that seemed to shimmer and shift in the dim light. They had the bodies of small lions, but their heads and wings were those of eagles, and their eyes glowed with an otherworldly intensity.

Bermuda motioned proudly to the strange creatures. “These beauties can project incredibly realistic three-dimensional images, creating environments that are so immersive, you’ll forget they’re not real.”

“You mean they can shoot movie scenes?” Gen questioned. “Is that what you’re saying?”

“Yes, and the images of their own free will, which makes studying them even more fascinating,” Bermuda answered.

“So they come up with their own movies,” Gen guessed.

Bermuda nodded in reply. “But be warned—they’ve been known to get a bit carried away, and their illusions can be very convincing. They can brainwash people with their images. They can get you swept away in a false reality.”

“That’s so crazy,” Gen said in awe, looking away suddenly from the creatures like she was afraid they might entrance her.

As if on cue, one of the Holo-Griffins spread its wings, and the room around them dissolved, replaced by a stunning, panoramic view of a mountaintop at sunset. Gen gasped, her heart racing as she felt the cool breeze on her face and smelled the crisp, clean air. But just as quickly as it had appeared, the illusion vanished, leaving her once again in the stark, clinical room.

The giantess snapped her fingers, a stern look on her face. “Not right now, Holo-Griffins. Just keep your movies at bay for a little longer. I’m showing our guest around.”

Gen was careful not to look back at the crazy creatures as she followed Bermuda to the far end of the long room.

---