“Listen to me, you worm. Eat me before they tear it away and—”

            The comms crackled. Someone laughed. Back to the dry voice now, “Civilian RsE-7,543,789,336,589, you’ve been shot by a guardian. It probably doesn’t hurt much, but do please give up before we’re forced to use more forceful methods. And in case you were wondering, they are behind you and waiting to use higher payloads.

            “So please, step away from that entity so we can restore peace to the wards. If it escapes thanks to your interference, we’ll have no choice but to expunge you from the System.”