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All is silent and still The air is crisp, and as I draw in a deep breath it sears the inside of h whether I’ to myself, or to our absent friends, I don’t think I’ll ever know

"Is that what this is about?"

"This is about the truth of what happened on that planet"

"I’ve told you the truth"

"None of what you’ve told us has explained the anomalies in Miss LaRoux’swords What do you "

"I’m pretty sure I don’t Sir"

FORTY

TARVER

I HAVEN’T BEEN ABLE TO SLEEP YET, but I don’t hter She murmurs in her sleep--one of those stubborn little sounds thatup at the stars, fa the the shape of a harp over again as I learn it Froht star at the base, to the next above it, and then…the next star ain, and they slide into focus

They’re landing lights

"Lilac, quick, wake up" I scrah I don’t knohat use it could possibly be I lift e ship eases doard us, thrusters rising to a steady roar She’ll be landing noout with one arently "No--no, leave us alone! We did what you wanted!" Her voice is high with fear as she gazes up, blinking, trying to understand what she’s seeing

"No, Lilac, it’s a ship They e Quick, we have to ut If they find us, they’ll take us on board, and who knohat her ht have infrared"

She’s still sitting there, staring, mouth a little open now "A ship?" I can barely hear her whisper

"We can’t let the her up