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"You’re not dying," I assure hi a cure froo on People know the syo down "And this red? It’s the color of the tube, not the cure It will start working soon" He’s old, and when I reach out to pat his hand, the skin feels very fragile In the Society he could have expected to die in the next few years Noho knows? Maybe he’s got plenty of tiue

"You proive me your word as a physic"

I promise

I hook up a vital-stats machine to hi or if he quits breathing Then Iup, but it takes every ue happened sooner than the Rising had anticipated Overall, the takeover of the Society has gone well, but it hasn’t been perfect People have accepted the Rising because they want the cure We’ve got their loyalty, for now But there are still Society sympathizers and those who are just plain scared of what’s happening They don’t trust anyone That’s e’re trying to change The o out cured, the better Then everyone can see that we’re here to help

"Carrow" The head physic’s voice co in the conference hall for their welcome speech"

"Of course," I say This is another part of ht away"

I nod to the nurses on duty on my way out the door Once I finish the speech, ht unless there’s an eency "See you tomorrow," I say to the to the conference rooone far when I hear someone saydown the hall, and it takes ure out who called to me, but then I see her

"Official Lei," I say, before I re’s done aith titles We only use last nao, back when the Plague first came and she was stuck in quarantine She couldn’t have been in for long--the Rising let everyone in the cells go hohs and Cities were secure But I still walked away and left her there

"I’in, but she shakes her head

"You did what you needed to do," she says "It’s good to see you"

"You too," I say "Especially here Does this ?"

"I have," she says, "but I’m afraid I need your help to stay here"

"Of course What can I do?"

"I was hoping you would vouch for me," she says "If you don’t, I can’t stay"

Eachis only allowed to vouch for three other people Obviously ant everyone to join eventually, but right noe’ve got to be careful Vouching for sohtly I’ve always assumed that my three people would beabout her being in the Rising

If someone that you vouch for turns out to be a traitor, you’ll be investigated right along with them So: how much do I trust Lei?

I’m about to ask Lei if there’s anyone else she can ask, but sohtness around her mouth and the way she stands--her posture even more perfect than usual--makes me realize that no, there isn’t She doesn’t look away I’d forgotten hoe’re alht

"Of course," I say I’ll still have two people left If so about Cassia, my brother, Tannen, can vouch for one of our parents He’s probably planning on it anyway Not for the first ti

Lei puts her hand on my arm, very briefly "Thank you," she says Her voice sounds lovely and sincere, and a little surprised She didn’t think I’d do it

"You’re welcome," I say

"If you’re here," I tell the neorkers, "it means that you’ve met the three main qualifications required to work in theSecond, you’re safe, because you either contracted the Plague immediately and have since been cured, or you received an immunization when you applied to return to work Third, you’ve joined the Rising"

I pause and let the silence settle before I begin again

"You are now a part of this rebellion Youexisted until you heard the Pilot speak, or younow that you’ve seen our cure, or because you want our irateful for your assistance Our iue"

I smile out at thelad to be back at work and part of the solution Soer