Read LUNARA #1 — The Wrong Side of Midnight, Parts 1–4

Lunara Comics presents — Part One — 8:00 PM, Neon City

One errand. One club. One debt. Everyone who looked underestimated her.

Panel 1

8:00 PM — Neon City

SPRITE (comms)Don't you think your ass is a little too exposed?

LUNARAI do.

LUNARABut that's the point.

LUNARABesides… you kind of like my ass.

SPRITE (comms)I do…

Panel 2

SPRITENow lock your weapons in zero-space and head to the Neon Market.

LUNARA (comms)Done. Don't forget the logo.

SPRITEDone and done…

LUNARA (comms)Go time.

Panel 1

8:07 PM — Neon Market

SPRITE (comms)Thanks for doing this, Lun.

LUNARAThank me when it's done, sweetie.

Panel 2

LUNARAYou still don't know what he did?

SPRITE (comms)He wouldn't say.

SPRITE (comms)Only that he owes Wonderlands. Like a lot.

Panel 3

LUNARAAnd they didn't break his legs…

SPRITE (comms)Apparently his skills are useful.

LUNARASo he is paying his debt in work… not good.

Panel 4

LUNARAFine.

LUNARAI buy the debt. He goes home.

SPRITE (comms)Simple.

LUNARASure… Simple.

Panel 1

8:12 PM — The 404

LUNARAYep.

SPRITE (comms)You're in.

Panel 2

SPRITE (comms)Whoa.

LUNARAWhat?

SPRITE (comms)There's an all-out BOLO alert on a job in this region.

LUNARAYou're kidding.

SPRITE (comms)Look.

Panel 3

Runner Region Alert — BOLO // Open — Recovery contract: “Aurum”, K9-Luxe companion unit — Reward 25,000 CR

SPRITE (comms)Apparently someone stole a robotic dog.

SPRITE (comms)A corporate dog.

SPRITE (comms)The pay is ridiculous… just saying.

LUNARAMultiple teams on the job. Too messy. Pass.

SPRITE (comms)Passing.

Panel 4

PIXYHi, Lunara.

LUNARAPixy. What a surprise.

PIXYSo… dog job. Easier if you join. We can split the pay.

LUNARAGo away, Pixy.

Panel 5

PIXYShe won't join. But she's not on the job either.

OLI (comms)You sure?

PIXYI'm sure.

Panel 6

LUNARAHello, boys.

Panel 1

8:15 PM — The 404 · VIP

GUARD 1Calm down, lady.

LUNARALet me go… you…

Panel 2

TOOTHESWhat's the racket down there?

Panel 3

GUARD 2This one is feisty, boss.

LUNARAPlease, I need to talk. I got money.

Panel 4

TOOTHESBring her up.

Panel 5

GUARD 1Heard the boss.

SPRITE (comms)“Please?” For real? You should get an Oscar.

LUNARASee? That wasn't so hard.

Panel 6

TOOTHESYou knocked out a guard. I'm impressed.

LUNARADon't.

TOOTHESYou mentioned money.

LUNARAI want to buy someone's debt.

Panel 1

TOOTHESSomeone's debt.

TOOTHESWhose?

LUNARAA kid, a student. Goes by Axon Pulse.

TOOTHESAh.

TOOTHESNo.

Panel 2

TOOTHESThe kid's a biohacker.

TOOTHESHis work contract's worth more than money.

LUNARAYou didn't bother to check.

LUNARACome on, Toothes. Easy money.

TOOTHESStill no.

Panel 3

LUNARAThen call your boss. I'll abide by him.

Panel 4

TOOTHESCall the Rabbit? For this?

Panel 5

LUNARACome on, do it. I'll play nice.

TOOTHESGot a cute ass, true. But no.

TOOTHESThrow her out…

Panel 1

LUNARAMe and my cute ass…

Panel 2

LUNARA…are so going…

Panel 3

LUNARA…to kick yours.

GUARDOh… damn.

Panel 4

8:19:37.12

Lunara goes through every guard in the room at once.

8:19:39.60

Panel 5

SPRITE2.48 seconds. Kind of slow today.

LUNARA (comms)Shut up, Sprite.

Panel 6

TOOTHESWhat?

TOOTHESHow?

LUNARASit, now!

TOOTHESWhat…?

SPRITE (comms)Hmph. The 404…

Panel 7

LUNARAComputer, call Bunny.

SPRITE (comms)…is now Lunara's.

Panel 1

BUNNYToothes. That better be important…

Panel 2

Bunny, on a holo call from his club, takes in the room in silence.

Panel 3

BUNNYCare to explain what happened to Toothes' men?

Panel 4

LUNARAThat was me being nice.

BUNNYNice?

LUNARAThey're not dead, are they?

Panel 5

BUNNYSo, Lunara…

BUNNYWhat do you want?

LUNARAI want to buy this man's debt.

LUNARASending details.

Panel 6

BUNNYThat's a tight contract, Lunara.

BUNNYYou sure?

LUNARAI'm sure.

Panel 7

BUNNYWhy?

BUNNYWhat's he to you?

LUNARASprite's niece—

SPRITE (comms)Nephew.

LUNARANephew… something.

BUNNYOh.

Panel 8

BUNNYIf I clear his debt…

BUNNYyou owe me.

LUNARAOh no. I buy his debt. I owe nothing.

Panel 9

The Looking Glass

BUNNYIt's 50K. And that's me being nice. Not taking my cut.

LUNARA50K?!

SPRITE (comms)I… didn't know.

LUNARAFine. 50K.

LUNARABut his debt is squared.

Panel 1

Nexus News — News flash: luxury transport crashed in the Nether Zones

BUNNYDone.

LUNARAThe next thing you get for free…

LUNARABut you owe me.

BUNNYFree?

Panel 2

Nexus News — News update: reports of gangs moving for loot

LUNARAThere's a runner crew here.

BUNNYWhich crew?

LUNARAThe Droplets.

LUNARANot for your… business.

LUNARAStay out of their hair. Safer for everyone.

BUNNYUnderstood. Thanks.

Panel 3

Nexus News — Breaking news: massive fights erupt around Nether Zone transport crash. Loop transportation service to the area has been suspended.

LUNARASo…

LUNARAWhat does a girl have to do to get a proper drink in here…?

Twenty-six minutes later — Part Two — The Nether Zones

A 500K job. A golden cube. A voice on a channel that shouldn't exist.

Panel 1

26 minutes later

LUNARASo, boys… We good?

GUARDWe good.

TOOTHESSo you and the Rabbit?

LUNARAMutual respect.

SPRITERespect? That's what you call this?

Panel 2

LUNARAAnd here's to Sprite.

TOOTHESSprite, why don't you jump in? Today, I'm buying.

SPRITEI'm good here, thanks.

LUNARAA Netrunner stays a Netrunner.

Panel 3

SPRITENo way… Whoa…

SPRITELun, we got a job…

LUNARAPass. I'm having too much fun.

SPRITE (comms)500K, Lun… Check.

Panel 4

Contract // High priority — 500,000 credits — Verified

LUNARAWhat? Is this verified?

SPRITE (comms)Verified… Diva.

LUNARAOther teams?

SPRITE (comms)None… Just us.

Panel 5

LUNARAI need to go.

TOOTHESWhat do you need?

LUNARAA back door to the street.

Panel 6

TOOTHESJeff — show her.

Panel 7

LUNARAAnd remember…

LUNARADrop by my comic place. Got some surprises in store.

Panel 8

LUNARASprite — have Midnight meet me at the exit.

Panel 1

Midnight

LUNARAThat crashed transport from the news… What do we know?

SPRITE (comms)Nothing. All digital data… scrubbed.

Panel 2

LUNARAThe fights?

SPRITE (comms)Heavy. Not sure which factions.

LUNARADiva… You still can't ID her?

SPRITE (comms)No.

LUNARACan she be trusted?

SPRITE (comms)100%.

MIDNIGHTETA 30 seconds.

Panel 3

Lunara rides Midnight through the city at speed.

Panel 4

Midnight, from the side.

Panel 5

Midnight, from behind.

Panel 6

Midnight, weaving through traffic.

Panel 1

LUNARAThis isn't gang fighting.

LUNARAIt's a war zone.

Panel 2

SPRITE (comms)Still 500K.

LUNARAWe'll see.

Panel 3

SPRITE (comms)Incoming from Diva.

Omega encryption — priority now: Package inside transport. Silver courier inside will deliver. Friendly forces will provide cover fire.

Panel 4

Omega encryption: The shape of the future. For better or worse.

LUNARASprite… This package… Ask her — is it worth it?

SPRITE (comms)That's impossible. She can't—

SPRITE (comms)…She heard you.

Panel 5

LUNARA…can't believe I'm doing this…

LUNARADeploy drones. Defensive formation.

LUNARAI'm coming in hot.

Panel 1

SPRITE (comms)Registering heavy fire.

LUNARAYou noticed.

Panel 2

LUNARADrones are getting hammered.

SPRITE (comms)Sending safest route. One hostile.

Panel 3

SPRITE (comms)Go in 2… 1…

LUNARASprite?

SPRITE (comms)Oh damn.

Panel 4

SPRITE (comms)Someone is trying to override the drones.

LUNARAIsn't that impossible? Counter it.

SPRITE (comms)Trying…

SPRITE (comms)I… whoa.

Panel 5

Blocking override attempts — control restored — ready railgun — go in 2… — go

Panel 6

Midnight breaks from cover, drones in escort.

Panel 7

Lunara fires on the run toward the transport.

Panel 8

Midnight dives into the breach in the transport's hull.

Panel 1

COURIERLunara?

LUNARALunara!

Panel 2

COURIERRed panel. Press it.

Panel 3

Bio-neural signature confirmed — occupation: Edgerunner — callsign: Lunara — access granted

COURIERThank the Goddess.

COURIERComputer. Blast doors.

Panel 4

LUNARAYou're injured, soldier.

COURIERDan… Call me Dan.

Panel 5

LUNARASo, Dan… Why am I here?

DANFor this.

Panel 6

DANFor the future.

SPRITE (comms)Oh… My… Goddess…

Panel 7

LUNARACome on. You need medical.

DANNot coming, Lunara. I'm stabilized.

Panel 8

Rear exit sequence — 60 sec

LUNARANot leaving you.

DANOne minute to EMP pulse. Back door's open. Go, Lunara.

Panel 9

DANI will see you yet…

Panel 1

LUNARAYou saw that. That black and red…

SPRITE (comms)It's a myth. You know that.

LUNARALike Diva?

Panel 2

SPRITE (comms)What did we get ourselves into, Lun?

LUNARAA 500K job, sweetie. A 500K job…

Panel 3

Omega encryption: follow projected route. Route updates at each point.

LUNARA (comms)Sprite — Drop point?

SPRITEGot partial route. Sending now.

Panel 4

SPRITEHa… For real? Cute.

SPRITESomeone thinks they can hack me. Let's see how they like this.

LUNARA (comms)Sprite?

Panel 5

LUNARATalk to me.

SPRITE (comms)I got my end, Lun. You got yours. We got this.

Panel 1

UNKNOWN · PRIVATEChange route… Deliver the cube.

UNKNOWN · PRIVATEAcknowledge… or else…

LUNARAComm hacked.

SPRITE (comms)What? No way.

LUNARAYou got yours, baby girl. I got mine.

Panel 2

Midnight flips off a wall. Lunara launches mid-air, blades out, and cuts through both pursuing interceptors in one pass.

Panel 3

UNKNOWN · PRIVATEIf you care about the Redhead,

UNKNOWN · PRIVATEdeliver the cube to me.

Panel 4

LUNARASil, 101. Lockdown mode.

LUNARAProtect Sprite!

LUNARASeal the store!

Panel 1

Lunara Comics

LUNARA (comms)Sil, 101…

Panel 2

LUNARA (comms)…Lockdown mode.

Panel 3

LUNARA (comms)Protect Sprite!

Panel 4

LUNARA (comms)Seal the store!

Panel 5

SIL-101Lockdown initiated. 101 engaged.

Panel 1

SPRITEComm hacked… hmm… What do you know…

SPRITEA hidden slither-stream. Clever… very.

Panel 2

SPRITENice one. Noted. My turn.

Panel 3

Slither firewall

SPRITEGot you.

UNKNOWN · PRIVATEThat's… impossible.

SPRITESpiked you. Bye-bye.

UNKNOWN · PRIVATEI am… impressed.

Panel 4

SPRITEComm cleared.

LUNARA (comms)Activate the Bertas.

LUNARA (comms)Then vanish.

Panel 5

SPRITEYou said the Bertas were emergency only…

LUNARA (comms)This is an EMERGENCY!

Panel 6

Bertas powering up

LUNARA (comms)Coming for you, baby girl.

Ten seconds — Part Three — Lunara Comics · Indigo Scrap Yard

A sealed store. A Blue Chip. A yard full of people who don't remember.

Panel 1

LUNARASprite should never have been part of this. Never!

Diva · Omega encryption — Emergency priority: resume delivery.

LUNARASo no.

Panel 2

LUNARAYour forces will be too late.

Diva · Omega encryption — Forces are being diverted to protect Sprite and your store.

LUNARAAnd they will be too small.

Panel 3

LUNARA (comms)101, lock yourself in the vault.

LUNARA (comms)I don't want you harmed.

Panel 4

SIL-101You care?

SIL-101You… love me!

Panel 5

LUNARA (comms)Sure…

LUNARA (comms)And also the fact that you run my store…

Panel 6

UNKNOWN · PRIVATEForces at location. Bring me the cube. Or else… Ten seconds.

A black-and-red strike force surrounds Lunara Comics, projecting an image of Lunara on Midnight.

LUNARA (comms)101. Deploy the Bertas.

Panel 1

UNKNOWN · PRIVATENine seconds.

An armored cube slams down in front of the store.

Panel 2

UNKNOWN · PRIVATESeven seconds.

The cube begins to unfold.

Panel 3

UNKNOWN · PRIVATEFive seconds.

A Berta stands up.

Panel 4

Signal loss

BERTASPut down your weapons. You have five seconds to comply.

Panel 5

BERTASCompliance window closed. Hostiles eliminated.

Panel 1

An empty back alley. Graffiti on the wall: "Even under neon there are shadows."

Panel 2

Sprite slips out of a hidden service door.

Panel 3

LUNARATook you long enough, baby girl.

SPRITEFunny… You are funny.

LUNARACome on. We needed to go five minutes ago.

Panel 4

SPRITEThe Bertas simply obliterated everything.

LUNARAThe Bertas gave us a few precious moments.

SPRITETheir hacker… They keep tagging us. Bet they are Weavers.

LUNARAWeavers are a myth.

SPRITEI know.

SPRITEWhy not use armored transport?

LUNARABecause it got shot out of the sky.

SPRITERight…

Panel 5

SPRITETalk to me, Lun.

LUNARA500K job, baby girl. You get what you get.

SPRITEWhere are we going, then?

LUNARAThe Indigo Scrap Yard.

SPRITEThat's Wonderland turf.

LUNARAIt's an off-grid fortress. It will give us time to plan.

Panel 1

GATEThis is private property, lady. You got one minute to scram.

Panel 2

LUNARAI'm cashing in, a Wonderlands Blue chip.

Panel 3

GATEHold right there.

Panel 4

BUNNYA Wonderlands blue chip… They are not given lightly.

BUNNYLunara, are you sure?

LUNARAI am.

Panel 5

BUNNYVery well. Chip cashed.

BUNNYUntil dawn, you are under Wonderlands protection.

LUNARAThank you.

Panel 6

BUNNY (comms)As Blue-Chip protocol dictates, a protection detail is being sent.

BUNNY (comms)Good luck.

Omega encryption — Steps are being taken. For now, this option is optimal.

Panel 1

BUNNYWell?

WOMANIt's not the law. I checked. But for her to ask protection? Not like her.

BUNNYThat's because the protection is not for her.

Panel 2

BUNNYThe protection is for Sprite.

WOMANHmm… yes. Sounds like Lunara.

BUNNYRegardless… Something big is happening.

Panel 3

FAT ALICEFunny… I didn't see you send a protection detail.

BUNNYI want to know what's going on. Am I guessing you want to go?

FAT ALICEYou bet Lunara's sweet ass I want to go.

BUNNYGood, go. Sort this out.

Panel 4

DEXIO (comms)Oli… It's Indigo. I got a way in…

Runner Network Alert · Steler hosted network — BOLO // Open — Recovery contract. Target: Lunara. Bounty: 50,000 credits. Objective: bring the gold cube. Location: Indigo Scrap Yard. Status: active.

Panel 1

LUNARASprite, we good?

SPRITEWe are good.

LUNARAGood… Let's unravel this.

Panel 2

SHADOWThat's it. We're squared, yes?

DEXIO (holo)We are.

Panel 3

PIXYNothing personal, Lun. But we want that cube.

LUNARAPixy…

LUNARAGo away, Pixy. It's your best option.

PIXYThat red dot says otherwise. We split fifty-fifty. Everybody wins.

SPRITEDexio… for real?

Panel 4

Oli lines up the shot.

Panel 5

DEXIOWhat are you doing?

SPRITE (comms)Crashing your board. Duh.

DEXIOI thought we were friends.

SPRITE (comms)We are.

DEXIOStop this.

SPRITE (comms)Mess with the best… Crash like the rest.

Panel 1

OLI (comms)Take her.

Panel 2

OLI (comms)What the…?! She took out my gun.

Panel 3

Pixy and Lunara trade blows. Lunara's kick sends Pixy flying.

Panel 4

PIXYIt's just a job, Lun.

LUNARANo, Pixy, it isn't.

Omega encryption — Lunara BOLO canceled.

PIXYWhat?!

LUNARATold you.

Panel 5

OLITaking out my gun… nice. She took down our comm… bad.

SPRITEWhat? They vexed me.

OLIWhat's the deal, Lunara?

LUNARAGo home, Oli. Find that damn dog. And…

SPRITELun?

LUNARAIncoming…

Panel 1

SPRITEI got partial from here.

SPRITEMultiple red and black. ETA thirty seconds.

SPRITEDexio? Help would be nice.

DEXIO (holo)Hello… my board?

SPRITERight… Fixed… Go.

Panel 2

DEXIOArmy-grade attack bikes and drones. Revised ETA. Thirty-two seconds.

DEXIOForwarding info.

SPRITE (holo)Let's spoof them. You in?

DEXIOLead on…

Panel 3

PIXYEr… hello?

WORKEREhhhwaa…

Panel 4

PIXYWhat the?!

Panel 5

WORKERSEhhhwaa…

PIXYThere are more like this?

Panel 6

LUNARAPixy?

PIXYThey're like zombies or something…

LUNARAOli?

OLIYou always get the fun jobs.

LUNARASure… let's go with fun.

Panel 1

FAT ALICEI want the intruders destroyed.

FAT ALICEI want Wonderland personnel stunned.

ROSE CARDYes, mistress.

FAT ALICEGo.

Panel 2

LUNARAFat Alice.

FAT ALICELunara.

LUNARAThe famed Card leader doing protection detail?

FAT ALICEShe doesn't.

Panel 3

FAT ALICEI guess you owe her.

Panel 4

Lunara kisses her.

Panel 5

LUNARASquared?

FAT ALICEFor now.

Panel 6

FAT ALICEThis is Wonderlands. Why are they here?

LUNARASomething about a lost dog.

FAT ALICEA dog?

LUNARAJust… let them go…

FAT ALICEFine, I'll allow it. This time…

Panel 7

FAT ALICEWhat did you get yourself into, Lun?

LUNARAA 500K mess…

Panel 1

5 minutes later

CARDMistress, the stunned employees… they don't remember the attack.

FAT ALICEI want them tested. Doctors. Hackers. The works.

CARDYes, mistress.

FAT ALICEI want them to know: Wonderlands always takes care of its own.

Panel 2

LUNARASo… mistress…

FAT ALICEShut up.

Omega encryption — Go to the Rift. Deliver the cube there. Escort inbound.

FAT ALICENo, she won't.

DIVAClarify.

LUNARAYes. Clarify.

Panel 3

FAT ALICEIt is a Steler-protected zone. We cannot escort her there. I won't break truce.

Omega encryption — Steler permission granted.

FAT ALICEFor my troubles, I want reimbursement.

DIVAGranted.

Panel 4

Gold hover bikes take the road.

Panel 5

Lunara and Sprite ride Midnight between them.

Panel 6

A Red Rose hovercar follows, under a Loop sign.

Final stop — Part Four — The Rift

A dog in an alley. A door that tests you. A cube, explained.

Panel 1

SPRITESTOP STOP STOP!

Panel 2

AURUMWOOF! WOOF!

SPRITEIsn’t he the cutest thing ever?

SPRITEHere. 100 creds for your trouble.

BUMWhatever, lady. Just get him away from me.

Panel 3

LUNARAHow did you even see him?

SPRITEI don’t know... Looked in the right direction, I guess.

Panel 4

ALICE (COMMS)Final stop, Lunara.

LUNARA...Final stop.

ALICE (COMMS)So... What’s a girl like you doing in a place like this?

LUNARAFunny... Bye, Alice.

Panel 1

ANGELAWell, Edgerunner...

ANGELAFor someone with your reputation, seven people should be nothing.

LUNARAI know who you are. I know what you are.

LUNARAI don’t have a death wish.

Panel 2

ANGELATrust me, sweetheart... You know nothing.

LUNARASo said the famed Templar Battle Master.

ANGELASo indeed.

Panel 3

DANAngela. Stop this. She’s a guest.

ANGELAWhatever you say, sweetie.

DANLunara... Thank you. From me, and from all of us.

DANBut now — the cube.

LUNARANo.

Panel 4

ANGELAThat’s a bad move, sweetheart.

LUNARAI need to know... Is it yours?

Panel 5

MR MANNo, Angela. She is our guest. She earned the right to know.

ANGELAAs you wish, Mr Man.

Panel 1

MR MANAsk.

LUNARAWhat’s inside this?

MR MANResearch data. Experimental records. Video. Images. Simulations. Down to the quantum scale.

MR MANApproximately 3.6 exabytes of data.

SPRITEWhoa.

Panel 2

LUNARAResearch into what?

MR MANFTL drive.

SPRITEWhoa.

LUNARAYou mean... Faster-than-light?

MR MANYes.

LUNARAThat’s a joke.

Panel 3

MR MANIt is not.

LUNARAAnd you don’t have a backup?

ANGELANo backups? Try ten.

MR MANSixteen. Give or take.

LUNARAThen what’s the problem?

Panel 4

MR MANThe research was conducted at an off-grid facility. For the next step it must move to a different off-grid facility.

LUNARAAnd net transfer is too risky...

MR MANYes.

Panel 1

MR MANNow, for proof of ownership. Your netrunner poked the cube.

LUNARASprite?

SPRITEFile signature and encryption confirmed. The cube is Steler.

AURUMWoof.

Panel 2

MR MANThis place is Steler. The factory is Steler. And me...

LUNARAYou’re Steler.

MR MANI am, and I thank you.

MR MANAnd now I am curious.

MR MANHow did you get your hands on two B3B assault modules?

Panel 3

LUNARAMy poor babies?

MR MANYour... babies?

LUNARAThey got hurt in the fight.

MR MANHurt? They weren’t even scratched.

LUNARAHere, look.

Panel 4

MR MANThis is Carbon Nanotube Microfiber Plating. And that is a smudge.

LUNARAWhat you meant to say was:

LUNARA“Lunara, I’m sorry your babies got hurt. I’ll make sure they’re upgraded...”

Panel 5

LUNARA“...and repair any damage to your store.”

Panel 6

Mr Man’s hologram considers this.

Panel 7

MR MANWord for word.

Panel 1

LUNARAHow are you going to move it this time?

DANArmored escorts. Heavy drones. The works.

ANGELAUntil they arrive, the cube stays here. With me.

Panel 2

SPRITEAnd Diva? How is she involved in this?

MR MANDiva? That’s what she calls herself?

SPRITEYou know who she is?

MR MANAfter a fashion... yes.

SPRITEWhoa.

Panel 3

RIFTPERIMETER BREACH · 3 HEAVY · INBOUND

ANGELAThey are early. Come, Dan. Work time.

MR MANNo. Angela, you stay with the cube.

MR MANDan. Can you handle this?

Panel 4

DANNot optimal. But I can handle it.

DANEdgerunner? You’re in? Will be fun.

LUNARAPromises, promises... Of course I’m in.

Panel 5

MR MANSprite. Want to help with tactical?

SPRITEOh yes.

SPRITEETA: Five minutes.

Panel 1

DANAfter this, want to go for a drink?

LUNARAWon’t “Sweetie” back there object?

DAN“Sweetie” is my mother.

Panel 2

LUNARALet’s see how you perform first.

DANCute, Lunara.

LUNARAAnd don’t look at my ass.

Panel 3

LUNARAI love you so much right now.

Panel 4

DANThese are...

LUNARA...the new Mark 5 Tensor assault mechs.

DANLadies first...

Panel 5

DANThe bio interface...

DANIt learns you... reads you.

DANAnd everything flows through you.

Panel 6

LUNARAIf you don’t mind...

LUNARAMe and the mech...

LUNARAWe’re having a moment.

SPRITEETA: Thirty seconds.

Panel 1

TENSOR 05 · DANThese are combat modules.

TENSOR 05 · DANAdaptive. Tactical. Lethal.

TENSOR 04 · LUNARAKill them quickly. Got it.

Panel 2

TENSOR 05 · DANWe have superior armor and heavier guns. Let’s leverage it.

TENSOR 04 · LUNARAAgreed. You do that.

Panel 3

TENSOR 05 · DANLunara, stop! It won’t work. They’ll use it against you...

Panel 4

A hostile mech catches the energy whip.

Panel 5

Tensor 04 pulls it in and kicks it apart.

Panel 6

TENSOR 05 · DANOr that... You can do that.

SPRITELunara! On your six.

Panel 1

TENSOR 05 · DANI got this.

SPRITEDeep scan complete.

Panel 2

TENSOR 04 · LUNARAOh yes... You got this.

SPRITEUpdating hostile profile.

Panel 3

TENSOR 05 · DANYou see it?

TENSOR 04 · LUNARAI see it. Call it.

SPRITE...on your three!

Panel 4

TENSOR 05 · DANFire.

Panel 1

LUNARAPlease...

LUNARAJust five minutes to say a proper goodbye.

DANNo... Out.

LUNARAIt was worth a try.

Panel 2

DANWe did good back there.

LUNARAI did good. You did adequately.

DANFunny.

Panel 3

DANAnd that drink?

Panel 4

LUNARASure. You can call it a drink.

Panel 5

LUNARAPick me up tomorrow at eight.

LUNARAAnd stop looking at my ass.

Panel 6

ANGELAAll hail the conquering heroes.

MR MANYou did beyond what was required. Why?

LUNARABecause FTL tech can make or break humanity. And despite everything... It’s safer in your hands.

Panel 7

MR MANGood answer.

MR MANThe 500K is already deposited. With a substantial bonus as well.

LUNARAThank you.

ANGELAAnd now, our business here is done. Until next time.

SPRITEI have a question...

Panel 1

SPRITEDuring the fight... I saw it... The black-and-red code...

SPRITEThe Black Dragon... He is real, isn’t he?

MR MANHe is.

Panel 2

DIVABut he is not what you think.

DIVAHe is not evil.

DIVAHe is controlled.

Panel 3

SPRITE...Dea...

MR MANYes, Dea. She is also real.

ANGELAUntil next time, Edgerunner.

LUNARAUntil next time...

Panel 1

Midnight carries Lunara, Sprite and Aurum home through the city.

Panel 2

Lunara Comics is open. Sil-101 is at the counter. Sprite carries Aurum upstairs.

Panel 3

12:01 AM

Lunara asleep in her chair, her own comic on her chest.