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She glanced at hiony in his eyes, and her breath hitched He was trying to spare her, but she turned her attention back to the screens Abigail was there Alone Frightened And Keiko couldn’t look away

“Mace,” she whispered, reaching for his hand

With a growl, he took it and held it tight

“Another hour has passed, and still CommTECH’s CEO has not responded to our demands,” the woman said into the camera

The caasped “No, no, no…”

On the stage, in a row beside Abigail, were three dead scientists There was blood on their faces, and their bodies lay in aard heaps, as though they were nothing e They were people Keiko had smiled at thee for a madwoman to murder them in front of the world

“Keiko, baby, please help entle fingers over her cheek “Nothing good’s gonna happen here”

She couldn’t answer She couldn’t move All she could do was stare at the horror in front of her

“How many more people have to die for our cause before Mirian has come to an end?” The wohts Co business—does not care about the people they rule Our livesto them I should know My brother was one of CommTECH’s valued scientists” She scoffed “He told theerous and couldn’t be rushed or the consequences would be deadly for CommTECH’s customers But they didn’t listen”

She pointed at the camera “You didn’t listen, Miriam Instead, he was told to speed up He was iainst his will, in order for his superiors to see as slowing his work down He was pushed and pushed and pushed—until he rushed the research just to get some peace He hen he told et the word out To tell people that Co shortcuts with his work Shortcuts that would endanger people By the tiet the word out, it was too late for my brother”

The screen was suddenly filled with footage of Co

“Portland,” Keiko whispered “There was an accident, an explosion in the research facility Three people died”

The woain “This accident could have been avoided But CommTECH was more interested in profit than people Because of CommTECH, oing to take Miriam to court? Who could find a court she doesn’t own?” She motioned to the bound scientists behind her “This is what you’ve driven us to This is our only recourse CommTECH’s rule must end And ill do e must to ensure that it does”

She turned to the scientists, a small black box in her hand “You have one more hour, Miriam How many people have to die before you act?” She held the box out so that the camera could see it and pressed her thumb down

A flash of light made Keiko