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Agent Weber was at his side, touching his shoulder

"That bad?" she whispered

He nodded He tried not to think of Ronika and what had happened to her "I’m fine It was just … I was attacked by one of those … one of Kaine’s creatures How did he find us? I thought your hider codes were supposed to be super co deftly in her heels, then helped Michael get to his feet

"It wasn’t you specifically that he found," she said "I’ve talked to Bryson and Sarah about it Kaine noticed theand he sent in his cavalry But Sarah said she was able to wipe away the code structure before he could see that you’d been backtracking to find his infor in just twenty-four hours Again, I’m sorry"

"It’s fine," he said He could hardly blaain And ht them back to safety

Weber motioned to the door "Well, you’re all back, and you’re all okay And from what Sarah said, it sounds like you found soht?"

Michael felt a surge of pride and hoped Weber didn’t see it on his face "Yeah We did And we need to work fast Before he catches on and moves his ho "I’ the few people I trust I’ve called them to the War Roooing to take everything we’ve got--so get soood

It felt like he’d only shut his eyes for a ed hiht and left It was as if his body had been waiting for the moment Kaine’s monster would return

"Whoa, there, cowboy!"

It was Bryson, Sarah standing beside hiet feisty"

Michael closed his eyes and, relieved, slumped back onto the bed It was actually side several others His friends had already been sound asleep and snoring by the time he’d showered and eaten, and he hadn’t had the heart to wake the them--well, Sarah, anyway--but instead he’d collapsed and fallen asleep al, ar down at hi to hide She was happy to see hi?" she asked

Michael groaned and sat up again, swinging his legs to the floor, rubbing his eyes And then told the truth "Like crap Groggy Achy My ranny’s" But at least he felt no pain in his head, other than a foggy, dull throbbing frole with the KillSim If it had even been a KillSim

"How do you know?" Bryson asked

"Huh?"

"How do you knohat a granny’s muscles feel like?"

"I used to play Grannies at Teatime, and don’t say you didn’t"

He and Bryson started snickering like middle schoolers in the back of class

Sarah threw her hands up "Are you guys finished? I know ahtly s"