diff --git a/scripts/kinetic_projectile.gd b/scripts/kinetic_projectile.gd
index e425f2e..97274de 100644
--- a/scripts/kinetic_projectile.gd
+++ b/scripts/kinetic_projectile.gd
@@ -9,16 +9,15 @@ extends Area2D
 @export var knockback := 220.0
 @export var lifetime := 0.8
 
-const SPRITE := preload("res://assets/sprites_ph/slug_ph.png")
-
 var direction := Vector2.RIGHT
 
 
 func _ready() -> void:
 	add_to_group("projectiles")
 	rotation = direction.angle()
+	# Runtime load, not preload — resilient to a stale import cache.
 	var spr := Sprite2D.new()
-	spr.texture = SPRITE
+	spr.texture = load("res://assets/sprites_ph/slug_ph.png")
 	add_child(spr)
 	body_entered.connect(_on_body_entered)
 
diff --git a/scripts/mech.gd b/scripts/mech.gd
index be1bb09..ade243a 100644
--- a/scripts/mech.gd
+++ b/scripts/mech.gd
@@ -16,14 +16,14 @@ var hull: float
 var _dash := Vector2.ZERO
 
 
-const SPRITE := preload("res://assets/sprites_ph/m03_ph.png")
-
-
 func _ready() -> void:
 	add_to_group("mech")
 	hull = hull_max
+	# Runtime load (not preload): a stale/incomplete import cache must
+	# degrade to an invisible sprite, never a script-compile failure
+	# that would kill movement too.
 	var spr := Sprite2D.new()
-	spr.texture = SPRITE
+	spr.texture = load("res://assets/sprites_ph/m03_ph.png")
 	add_child(spr)
 
 
diff --git a/scripts/salvage.gd b/scripts/salvage.gd
index 2f28a76..9e23168 100644
--- a/scripts/salvage.gd
+++ b/scripts/salvage.gd
@@ -4,8 +4,6 @@ extends Area2D
 ## levels). Drifts to the mech inside the magnet radius, collected on
 ## contact, fades out if ignored. Constructed in code, no scene.
 
-const SPRITE := preload("res://assets/sprites_ph/scrap_ph.png")
-
 var value := 1
 var magnet_radius := 70.0
 var drift_speed := 150.0
@@ -25,8 +23,9 @@ func _ready() -> void:
 	sh.radius = 6.0
 	cs.shape = sh
 	add_child(cs)
+	# Runtime load, not preload — resilient to a stale import cache.
 	_sprite = Sprite2D.new()
-	_sprite.texture = SPRITE
+	_sprite.texture = load("res://assets/sprites_ph/scrap_ph.png")
 	add_child(_sprite)
 	body_entered.connect(_on_body_entered)