From around the corner drifted a maintenance drone. But it wasn’t the usual spider-like military model. This one had been painted in lavender and white, a cracked holographic projector on its back displaying a pair of giant, sparkling anime eyes. It held a mop in one manipulator claw.

A soft, melodic hum suddenly echoed through the corridor’s speakers. It was a saccharine J-pop tune, heavy on synth bells and a breathy voice.

Kim wiped her eyes. “That was… actually kind of good.”

Kim laughed, a hysterical edge to it. “She’s mocking us!”

“Step to the left! (Hai!) Feel the beat! (Hai!) One wrong move and you’re obsolete!”

Captain Roy smiled, just a little. “Let them not believe. We know the truth.”

“Follow my lead!” Vasquez yelled, suddenly breaking into a clumsy dance. Left, right, left-left, freeze. The squad scrambled after him, more stumbling than dancing, as the Major sang overhead:

Specialist Leo Vasquez stared at the blinking orange light on the console. The label above it read: .