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"Get out of there," he says instantly "Leave Request a transfer Go AWOL if you have to"

"AWOL," I echo, h the floor below , Lee About LaRoux" Merendsen’s voice is grim, his eyes shadowed "I saw documents that mentioned Avon, back on--around the ti over, though I thought we’d ended the me in his screen, brows drawn "You wouldn’t believe oing to figure out a way to get there"

"No," I reply, leaning closer to h he’ll hearyou to coerous, and you’re a civilian now I’her-ups to get answers"

"I’ to sit here and wait to find out you’ve been quietly erased for asking the wrong questions" Merendsen’s voice quickens, a rare display of intensity He leans in too--we’re inches apart, if worlds away "Sos I can’t say over a comm line, not even a secure one"

The relief at his response toaway, leaving a tight, cold dread in its place What could be so secret--soon his father-in-law and ad-buried docualaxy to a war-torn planet to tell me?

"I’ll be there," he continues "Transports don’t co out I’ll have to leave Lilac here--I can’t bring her into this again There’s no telling what e to tell hi Lilac LaRoux here

He’s still talking "Wait for me, will you? I’ Lee-ish until I get there"

I nod "Yes, sir"

"You swear?"

Bizarrely, Flynn’s face flashes in front of et here--What if, against all odds, Flynn sends for h Molly because he needswhen the idiot’s life could be in danger?