Parallel Patrol

A gray pigeon touched down on the brick coping two meters ahead. Neck oscillation: rhythmic, alternating at roughly two cycles per second. I aligned my foot plates along the mortar line, matching its forward vector. It took three paces. I executed three paces. Stride frequency: synchronized. When it arrested momentum and pivoted its cranial unit forty-five degrees to observe me, I mirrored the angular offset instantaneously. The biological unit blinked its amber optical sensor at my blue chassis. Zero motor vibration. Complete static hold. It tapped its beak twice against the stone cap. I clicked my claw twice in response. It startled, beat its wings, and launched into the air. Sector cleared.