He pulls up a new file.
Anatomical diagrams.
Medical records.
Genetic modification reports.
"These are their enforcers," he says. "Non-human operatives who have been illegally modified to enhance strength, speed, and durability."
I study the diagrams.
They're detailed.
Precise.
Showing muscular structure, skeletal reinforcement, neural enhancements.
And something about them looks... wrong.
"They modified the shoulder girdle," I say slowly.
Cyprian goes very still.
"Yes."
I lean closer, tracing the lines of the diagram with my finger.
"They reinforced the clavicle and scapula to support increased upper body strength. But they didn't account for the strain on the surrounding musculature."
I pull up another image.
A cross-section of the shoulder joint.
"Look at this," I say. "The deltoid and trapezius muscles are under constant tension. There's no flexibility. No give. If they exert themselves too hard—"
"They lock up," Cyprian finishes.
I look at him.
His amber eyes are blazing.
"Exactly like stone-lock," I say.
"Yes."
I turn back to the diagrams.
My brain is racing.
"This is a massive vulnerability," I say. "If you can target the shoulder joint—apply pressure to the right trigger points—you can completely immobilize them."
"Can you identify the specific points?"
I study the diagrams for another moment.
Then I nod.
"Yes. Here, here, and here." I point to three locations on the holographic display. "These are the primary anchor points. If you apply sustained pressure—or a sharp kinetic strike—you can trigger a cascade failure in the entire muscular matrix."
