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The escort’s gaze lost focus, seeing so else Someone else Probably someone dead but not cool yet “I can’t… I can’t think about that right now”

“Penal regulations say that you have the responsibility to maintain the safety and health of prisoners in your custody,” Clarissa said “You won’t get in trouble for leading an evacuation You’ll be a hero”

The escort was breathing heavily, like she was doing some kind of hard physical labor A when they were upset about so, but he didn’t really understand it Clarissa ently aside and leaned in toward the escort

“You can’t be part of a relief effort up there if you’re buried alive down here,” the girl said, softly Like she was apologizing for soht collapse There’s no dishonor in evacuating”

The escort sed

Clarissa leaned in, al “There’s a civilian in here”

The escort said so under her breath that Amos didn’t quite catch, then turned to talk over her shoulder “Help oddamned door open, Sullivan The structure’s co civilian in here that we need to get to safety Morris, if that bastard tries anything, take hi move, and we’ll end you”

Sohed, and it sounded like a threat Amos and Clarissa backed up T hands took hold of the door and started hauling it back open

“Keep the civilian safe? That’s what got to her?” Amos asked

Clarissa shrugged “It was the excuse she needed Though you are a precious flower”

“Well, sure Just not used to anybody appreciating it”

The door opened with a shriek, swinging into the corridor only halfway before it stuck fast Probably pere was clearer A crack ran down the center, three or four centimeters lower on one side than the other The air was thicker than it had been coe to check the air recyclers Maybe that wasn’t even wrong Being thirty-odd s were busted enough, at to be a problem

The other prisoner – Konecheck – knelt on the ground, a second guard – Morris – standing three paces behind hiun, it wasn’t a design Anized The prisoner’s face ollen all down the left side like he’d lost a boxing uards, Peaches, and this fella

Konecheck looked up froave a one- a lot like coh hiut This was going to get ugly before it was over, but it was a scale of violence he understood

“New plan,” the escort said “We’re evacuating these prisoners and the civilian to the surface”