On the other side of the observation deck, a very different conversation was taking place.
Michael and Michelle had both logged in from their private accounts, joining the growing crowd of spectators watching the match through the game's public viewing system.
The student viewing section was packed.
"Holy shit," Michael breathed, his eyes wide as saucers.
His sister Michelle didn't respond immediately. She was too busy watching the replay of the sand maneuver, her avatar's expression frozen in something between shock and admiration.
"He just tried to short-circuit a mecha with ocean water," Michelle said slowly, as if testing the words for plausibility. "In a standard model. Using basic physics."
"Is that even legal?"
"It's not illegal." Michelle's lips curved into something dangerously close to respect. "It's creative."
"It's insane," Michael corrected. "He's fighting a military man with tricks and improvisation."
