Interview from the Front: Cricket and Tapps Reflect on the Tech War, the Cirque, and Life After Conflict

Interviewer: Lyra Vale, Cultural Correspondent for Six Kingdoms Daily

They arrive together—one silent and watchful under a battered fedora, the other sleek, feline, and unmistakably aware of every eye in the room. Cricket and Tapps, two umanomagi veterans of the Tech War, settle into the studio seats like soldiers who’ve seen more than they’re willing to say. Today, they’ve agreed to speak, in broad terms, about their roles in the war, life before it, and how the world has—and hasn’t—changed.

Lyra Vale: Thank you both for being here. I know many readers are eager to hear from two of the most talked-about figures of the Tech War.

Tapps: Well, I couldn't possibly say no to such a... captivating invitation. (He leans in with a grin, his gold armband catching the light.) Tell me, Lyra—are you always this stunning, or is it just for me?

Cricket: [shuffling awkwardly in his seat] He does that with everyone. It’s kind of his thing.

Lyra: [blushing slightly] I, uh... thank you. Let’s start light. You both served during one of the most turbulent conflicts in modern history. Looking back, what stands out?

Cricket: [quietly] A lot. But if I had to say... I think we both miss the Cirque de Umanomagi. Before the war, we were performers, you know? There was music, laughter, packed crowds—sometimes they even liked us.

Tapps: The Cirque wasn’t just a show. It was a family. Michael brought us all together—Zach, Monkey, Mark… even Cougar when he wasn’t being a total ass. That time felt alive.

Cricket: [nodding] Yeah. Before all the training. Before Harlow nearly broke us with bootcamp drills. [he grins slightly] He made me stronger, though. Not just physically. I wouldn’t have survived the Battle Ring without what he—and Tapps—put me through.

Lyra: The Battle Ring? Is that where the two of you began working as a team?

Tapps: You could say that. It’s where he stopped flinching. I’d drag him into the ring, scream at him until he blocked me for real. Cricket’s young, but he’s got something most don’t. A steel core.

Cricket: I had a lot of help. Especially from him. When you’re getting bullied in your own troupe—looking at you, Cougar—you need someone in your corner. Tapps always was. In his own... uncomfortable way.

Tapps: You’re welcome.

Lyra: What can you tell us about your time in the war? I’ve heard rumors about… sniper hunting?

Cricket: [stiffening slightly] We did what we could. Taking out Tech Army snipers was... dangerous. You hear about victories, but we remember the ones we missed. We weren’t fast enough. People died.

Tapps: It’s not all glory and glamour, sweetheart. The war was mud, blood, and shadows. You move fast, or you fall. We moved fast. Just not fast enough, sometimes.

Lyra: Was that the hardest part?

Cricket: [hesitating] Hardest part? Probably not. But it’s up there. Not being able to save everyone. Not being able to protect… [his antennae twitch, as if remembering something]

Tapps: [cutting in smoothly] Let’s not spoil anything, kid. Gotta leave something for the book, yeah?

Lyra: [laughing] Fair enough! Any romantic entanglements during the war?

Cricket: [blushing fiercely, his mouth-digits twitching] Uh… I mean… I wouldn’t… um… not really? Depends?

Tapps: [grinning, leaning forward] Lyra, that’s a dangerous question. But if you’re asking... maybe you tell me what you’re doing after this interview?

Lyra: [visibly flustered, half-laughing] You’re impossible.

Cricket: [muttering] Tell me about it.

Lyra: The book, War of the Umanomagi, explores some powerful themes—race, survival, loyalty. As umanomagi, how do you feel about how your people are seen today?

Tapps: Still a long way to go. People forget fast. Or they pretend to.

Cricket: It’s better in some places, but we still get stared at. Still get judged. There’s fear. There’s hate. And there’s ignorance. I guess... we’re still surviving. And still fighting.

Tapps: Every day we wake up and they still expect us to prove we’re worth the air we breathe. That’s the real war. But we’re not going anywhere.

Lyra: Last question. So many stories are still untold from the Tech War. Is there anything else you can share?

Cricket: [smirking] If you really want to know the rest? Pick up War of the Umanomagi. You’ll find it at www.umanomagi.com. Everything we can say is in there.

Tapps: And the stuff we can’t? Maybe I’ll whisper it to you over drinks.

Lyra: [blushing again] I… might take you up on that.

As the lights dim and the cameras stop rolling, Cricket tugs his fedora lower and quietly follows Tapps out of the studio. They’ve said enough—for now.