I walked with purpose, eyes cast down at my tablet that hadn't been switched on yet. Panic fluttered through my chest as I skated my fingers over the front, back, and sides for a power button. To anyone or anything that might be looking, I likely resembled a teralingua before slaughter.

My finger finally brushed a button, and I pretended to scratch my eyebrow with the corner of the tablet while it powered on. A white glow emanated from it, and then the words Saelis Artificial ...