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I took a seat at the s for the last day The scanner ca no attempted break-ins or unauthorized contact with the van’s exterior during that time “Shaun, as the last security sweep?”

“I ran one re for the senator’s speech to finish”

“Good That means we’re clean” I leaned over to turn on the exterior ca blind and would have no way of knohen help arrived—and froze

“George?”

It was Shaun’s voice, sounding distant and surprised He’d seen me reach for the switches, and seen me stop; he just hadn’t seen why I didn’t answer hi?”

“I ” I began, and stopped, sing in an effort to clear the sudden dryness froain, I said, “I think we ht hand, I wrapped nu fro to face the other two Rick paled, seeing the red stain spreading through the fabric oflike he was seeing the end of the world

In a very real and concrete way, there was an excellent chance that he was

If you want an easy job—if you want the sort of job where you never have to bury somebody who you care about—I recommend you pursue a career in whatever strikes your fancy just so long as it isn’t the news

—Fro of Richard Cousins, June 20, 2040

Twenty-six

Shaun broke the silence “Please tell“The blood ca to need a biohazard bag” There was no fear inthere at all I sounded e around me It was like my body and my voice existed in different universes, tethered by only the thinnest of threads “Get one from the medical kit, put it on the counter, and step away I don’t want either of you touching this” Orme when there was a risk that I could infect them I just couldn’t say that If I tried, I’d break down, and any chance of containing this would go right out the