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“Okay,” Astrid said “SUVs running just on their rih steel That’s the practical suggestion”

“That could work, Astrid,” he said excitedly “Four-by-fours, on their steel ries or whatever It would take practice, but unless the zekes can fly, the pickers would be pretty safe riding in the truck” He grinned at her “This is why I keep you around, despite your annoying superior attitude”

“It’s not a superior attitude,” Astrid teased back “It’s actual superiority”

“So, what’s the crazy suggestion?”

“Negotiate”

“What?”

“They’re too smart to be worms They’re predatory and they shouldn’t be They’re territorial and they couldn’t possibly be They move and act as one, at least so at you, but they don’t have eyes I have no proof, obviously, but I have a feeling”

“A feeling?”

“I don’t think they’re zekes I think they’re Zeke”

“Talk to the superworround “No offense, but the SUV tractor thing is why you’re the smartest person in the FAYZ The other part? That’s why even though you’re se”

Astrid resisted the urge to say so in response to his condescension “You need to keep your mind open, Sam”

“Negotiate with a killer worm brain? I don’t think so, babe I think o”

He tried to kiss her, but she dodged it “Good night Let’s hope Petey doesn’t have any interesting night to worry about there, it’s probably just my overheated brain”

Co nu speed The , pushing aside

It wouldn’t work