70 MIND/MATTER

Lyra moved like water. Even when her mind was controlled and at the beck and call of someone else, her steps and swings were both precise and almost inhumanely fluid. They were distracting. Even in combat— grisly combat, she moved like she was on a runway. Each sequence like a show that ended with a bang as she raised her sawed off shotgun and fired.

Rex dodged the shot but the proximity of the pellet blast shook his brain and left his ears ringing.

He tried to recover but Cpt Camo was on him, tackling him from behind.

Rex went down, tearing up the scorched earth as they rolled. It ended with Cpt. Camo taking top mount and raining down blows on him.

Rex brought his hands up to guard his face.

"WHAT ARE YOU?!" His captain said in Simon's voice.

"Simon! It's me!" Rex yelled.

"Shut-up!" Cpt. Camo roared and spit a torrent of fire.