"Let me see if I've got this straight... you people fly squids around?"

- Captain Klint Vassinger

Another view of the "Lancer"-class lifeship, selectively bred from cephalopod stock. In addition to being able to merge with human pilots, these creatures are also capable of spontaneously generating infrared laser beams of sufficient strength to damage the hull plating of most modern skyships. The process by which it does this is not fully understood, but is believed to have evolved as a form of self-defense.

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Yes, you read that right. A flying squid that shoots lasers. And no, I don't have to explain how, because within the context of the story it's taken for granted. The people who breed these things have no concept of technology.