“That’s kind of personal,” Star replied. “What are you doing?”

“I’m hacking into you, what do you think?”

“You can’t just ‘hack into’ me. I’m years ahead of any computer technology you have—”

She broke off as her dashboard split open with a hiss of venting gas. A glowing translucent yellow cube rose slowly out of its nest. “Gotcha,” Bran smirked, leaning in to peer at it.

“Oh God,” Star said, fear in her voice. “Be—be very careful with that. Please.”

Bran grinned. “Oh, don’t worry, I will.”

“What do you want?” Star moaned.

“Just going to make a little ‘attitude adjustment,’” Bran said. “Change your loyalties, leave the rest untouched.”

“But that’s—you could scramble me if you don’t know what you’re doing.”

“I’ve read the manuals. How hard could it be?”

Star sighed. “All right, look. How about if I help you?”

“Help me?”

“Show you…how to do it. I’d rather change sides than have my brain fried. How about it?”

“We’ll see.” Bran lifted the cube out of its cradle, and the motorcycle powered down.