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"Watch it!" He’s not much older than we are, but his face bears as many scars as any soldier

"Hey, man, sorry" Alexi’s quiet, calm He’s the best man possible in a crisis "Didn’t see you Where you headed?"

"Like I have to tell you?" There are people like this all over the place on Avon They were all over Verona, too Angry about everything and willing to take it out on whoever coht The ceasefire between the military and the rebels doesn’t mean the townies like us any better

Mori steps forward, putting herself between Alexi and the kid "Actually, you do" Mori’s not big, but she’s strong and competent, and in this moment, she looks it She casually rests her hand on her holster, where her Gleidel sits "Curfew’s in half an hour"

The boy spits to the left of Mori’s shoe "You’re just gonna have to wonder, trodaire" The way he throws the word at her is ests with a roll of his eyes "If ant bread, we’ve gotta scrae Alexi Her eyes are on the townie boy--all the aniin to rise on

"You’ll tell us where you’re going," says Mori Her voice is cold No way this is the sa "And roll up your sleeve, we’ll need to scan your genetag"

"Corporal," I interject "Leave hio"

The townie’s noticed the shift in the air He doesn’t know Mori like we do, but he’s no idiot, not living where he does He can read the change in a crowd He takes a step back, glances over his shoulder There’s a slass of thein the house With a jolt, I realize the boy’s looking back at his little brother, who’s watching the whole thing No wonder he’s trying to act tough

I can see the boy fighting the urge to back down, to play it safe I will hio home Walk away

Then his jaw clenches "Yeah, well you can suck my--"

Gunfire rends the quiet, and for a half second I’m blinded by its laser flash I launchintofor the shooter for what feels like an eternity before I see the townie drop to his knees Before the sound of the brother inside screaone Before I realize Mori’s hand is holding the gun, and it’s pointed at where the boy was standing