Ursus is a Cane Corso, heavy as old stone and softer than the posture suggests. Out near the sleeping machine rooms, Ursus keeps a small ritual that involves a chip of blue tile from beneath the flying den and a quiet bow. The Yard has a small unspoken rule about teasing Ursus near the cracked freeway loop, mostly because nobody wants to lose. Somewhere under the noise, Ursus carries one promise made to the satellite flowers field and means to keep it quietly.