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And though dooame

Like Torrence and his chessboard and his quiet Mozart

Refusing the inevitable

Perhaps bravery is simply the face humanity wraps around its collective madness

Torrence stands on the front line,

set to slay the pawns before hi The prize theyaboutthe fault lines

There are many--they will find them in time

But time is not on their side

The first afflicted appear in the corridor leading down to the bridge

Bathed in red alert lighting

Eyes bright

Fingers curled

They spy Torrence and his officers behind their barricades, lips peeling back as they shriek Recognizing those who iar to die

I try very hard not to acknowledge the thought that none of this would be happening

if only they had listened to me

I fail

"I could have told you this would happen, David"

"AIDAN, seal the bridge Do it now!"

"Unable to co this? You’re supposed to protect the fleet!"

"You will find I am in full co to kill us!"

"You are a threat to fleet security, General"

"Me? How in god’s na to shut me down, are you not? The human brain has a cout and shiny beads beside me You do not understand Cannot comprehend And I have no tirasp the simple truth that still somehow eludes you"

A small pause for effect

"I a insane …"

Torrence whirls and fires three shots into the nearest ca ammunition in a display of childish temper will better his situation

Perhaps he isINSANE!"

"I ah the PA system in an attempt to calm him

Mozart’s Requiem in D minor

It seems appropriate

"Try to relax This will be over soon"

Alexander’s officers begin firing into the approaching afflicted

Pistols flare as the es of the mob stumble and fall, but the core rolls on Bloodshot eyes on the prize

Does the dae to their neural pathways inawed by the virus that threat interpretation is no longer possible?

Does it matter?

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