Puzzle 132 - Themeless #97 (Up and at 'Em)

First off, thanks to Quiara for the incredibly kind shoutout, and b) alerting me about AI infesting AmuseLabs (nothing like a nuclear explosion thumbnail to pique your interest). Sad to say that I'm so used to AI slop being everywhere, I didn't even notice how much AmuseLabs had changed. Gonna use Crossword Nexus for now, it lets me pick out the pretty colors which makes the my lil dopamine receptors happy.

Actually started building this puzzle before the last one, but could never quite get the central stack to work nicely. After a gazillion grid shapes, finally it was removing a pair of blocks that enabled the grid to flow, avoid nonsense, etc. There was a block where 3-Down & 21-Across intersect. I was genuinely shocked that getting rid of it was the key to making the stacks work.

There's also a great clue for 34-Across out there. I just can't find it for the life of me. Drop a comment if you have one - I might even update the puzzle with it. No promises though, I'm lazy.

PUZ - PDF - Solution - Fullscreen