Page 44 (2/2)

"And there’s ainst the setting sun "I laced our server with data-ital communications about me I discovered a communiqué between members of my military and executives at LM Ly a close eye on me There was no explanation about why, but itunusual about rown cold around him LM Lymer Fleet was the maker of the Russo-Chinese neural processors, and basically their version of Obsidian Corp In fact, before he defected, Joseph Vengerov even headed the company If they had a particular interest in Medusa, it couldn’t be for any good reason

"You think they’re on to you?" Tom said quietly "What you can do?"

"It’s possible"

"What will happen to you if they learn e can do?"

"Nothing good, Mordred They’ll try to find out hoe can do it They’ll want to isolate whatever it was about us that’s different and use it in other Combatants--and they’ll do whatever they have to do to acco to lie low Whenever you try to contact me, you put me at risk" She drew closer "You said you had a question Ask noht now"

Tom pulled his hat off his head andher now sounded stupid, self-serving He felt like a scuot into space without a sponsor"

"That’s it?"

He tried to tell whether he was i it, or whether she really sounded hurt "And I missed you," he added He realized it was true as he said it "I did Iyou andI knohat I did at Capitol Suun Her dark silhouette blocked the sun from his eyes

To too personal Not anyreat, too"

Tom wished there was sos to the way they’d been That was the thing about real life Video games could be reset There were second chances There was no way to walk through the same scenario in a different manner when it caers hovering centiun, "I don’t have a sponsor for a reason that’s very obvious"

"Because of your" Toood looks?" She bared her teeth "I chose the call sign Medusa No one forced it on ured"

"I never told you that"

"I know you," Tom said "I’ve seen you in action You’d never let someone stick that name on you or have that power over you Every weak point beco low and underhanded was the only way to beat you in a fight"

She slowed ashe liked Her tone grew softer "There’s no secret to circu the Coalition, Mordred The companies all chip in for o public one day--but she’ll be soer Incorporated will be her sponsor, not mine I’ll be invisible"

Tom stopped So that was it That was the end The realization was like a fist socking hi the air fro to, and noas gone

He was never going to be a Cah

"What’s funny?"

"Nothing," he said lightly, jerking back into motion "I’m an idiot That’s all I think I’ve destroyed all my chances here"

It was her turn to smile and shake her head "You said that last time, too I don’t believe it"

"You don’t knohat I’ve done"

"No, but I know you You’re too stubborn to lose You always come back"