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"Yes, we do," Bryson said, suddenly serious

Sarah sat on the cot next to Michael, leaned in, and kissed hiet," she whispered, obviously not caring that their friend had heard

"Who said I’d want it?" he countered, though his cheeks turned red

Sarah just s her eyes off Michael’s, and he suddenly felt ht," he said "What’s the plan? Where’s Weber?"

"She woke us up and said she’d be back for us in a minute," Sarah answered "Apparently she has a tea to a place she called the War Room to tell them e know"

Michael nodded "Yeah, sheto say?" Bryson asked "I barely got through "

"Squeaking?" Sarah repeated She gave him a little pat, then turned to Michael "How about you do all the talking?"

"Me?" Michael’s voice rose an octave "Why h his aht not kno to use my vocal cords properly"

Bryson snorted

"Fine, I’ll do it," Sarah said

Michael and Bryson exchanged a look: it was clear she’d known all along that she’d be the one Before Michael could thank her, there was a knock on the door and it swung open Agent Weber walked in, confident as always

"It’s time," she announced All that humble sorry-you-were-al all business

"We’re not ready," Bryson said "We need to plan e’re going to say"

But Sarah was already off the cot and walking toward the door She stopped when she reached Agent Weber and turned to face her friends

"Co it"

The War Roo for a few seconds after Agent Weber ushered them inside He stopped for a iant room, there were several tiers of seats--alhly half filled with lowed a NetScreen, at which , oblivious to the newcomers Michael wondered why the room was only half full

On the other side of the rooest three-dimensional displays Michael had ever seen hovered in ames and movies, but this one was enormous, at least a hundred feet wide and nearly as tall It was impossible to tell how deep it went; it looked like it continued on forever There were raht in the , sy surface