1 00:00:00,000 --> 00:00:04,080:
You’re 2 00:00:04,080 --> 00:00:04,589: listening 3 00:00:04,589 --> 00:00:04,679: to 4 00:00:04,679 --> 00:00:04,830: The 5 00:00:04,830 --> 00:00:05,250: Ghost 6 00:00:05,250 --> 00:00:05,339: of 7 00:00:05,339 --> 00:00:05,879: Dog 8 00:00:05,879 --> 00:00:06,030: on 9 00:00:06,030 --> 00:00:06,150: the 10 00:00:06,150 --> 00:00:06,719: Voice 11 00:00:06,719 --> 00:00:06,960: of 12 00:00:06,960 --> 00:00:08,070: Dog. 13 00:00:08,070 --> 00:00:08,429: This 14 00:00:08,429 --> 00:00:08,609: is 15 00:00:08,609 --> 00:00:08,970: Rob 16 00:00:08,970 --> 00:00:09,539: MacWolf, 17 00:00:09,539 --> 00:00:09,779: your 18 00:00:09,779 --> 00:00:10,320: fellow 19 00:00:10,320 --> 00:00:11,339: traveler, 20 00:00:11,339 --> 00:00:11,490: and 21 00:00:11,490 --> 00:00:11,848: Tonight’s 22 00:00:11,848 --> 00:00:12,269: story 23 00:00:12,269 --> 00:00:13,650: is “Code 24 00:00:13,650 --> 00:00:14,580: White” 25 00:00:14,580 --> 00:00:14,730: by 26 00:00:14,730 --> 00:00:15,300: Madison 27 00:00:15,300 --> 00:00:15,630: Rye 28 00:00:15,630 --> 00:00:16,890: Progress, 29 00:00:16,890 --> 00:00:17,100: whose 30 00:00:17,100 --> 00:00:17,969: graphomania 31 00:00:17,969 --> 00:00:18,719: occasionally 32 00:00:18,719 --> 00:00:19,019: gets 33 00:00:19,019 --> 00:00:19,140: the 34 00:00:19,140 --> 00:00:19,469: best 35 00:00:19,469 --> 00:00:19,559: of 36 00:00:19,559 --> 00:00:20,940: her. 37 00:00:20,940 --> 00:00:21,120: She 38 00:00:21,120 --> 00:00:21,269: is 39 00:00:21,269 --> 00:00:21,359: the 40 00:00:21,359 --> 00:00:21,750: author 41 00:00:21,750 --> 00:00:21,870: of 42 00:00:21,870 --> 00:00:22,415: a round 43 00:00:22,415 --> 00:00:22,920: dozen 44 00:00:22,920 --> 00:00:23,760: books, 45 00:00:23,760 --> 00:00:23,940: with 46 00:00:23,940 --> 00:00:24,030: her 47 00:00:24,030 --> 00:00:24,300: most 48 00:00:24,300 --> 00:00:25,079: recent, 49 00:00:25,079 --> 00:00:25,980: Idumea, 50 00:00:25,980 --> 00:00:26,370: telling 51 00:00:26,370 --> 00:00:26,459: of 52 00:00:26,459 --> 00:00:26,579: the 53 00:00:26,579 --> 00:00:27,179: escape 54 00:00:27,179 --> 00:00:27,359: from 55 00:00:27,359 --> 00:00:28,230: samsara 56 00:00:28,230 --> 00:00:28,379: in 57 00:00:28,379 --> 00:00:28,440: a 58 00:00:28,440 --> 00:00:28,949: digital 59 00:00:28,949 --> 00:00:30,600: world.

Read 60 00:00:30,600 --> 00:00:30,780: by 61 00:00:30,780 --> 00:00:31,649: Kergiby, 62 00:00:31,649 --> 00:00:31,739: a 63 00:00:31,739 --> 00:00:32,429: Full Time 64 00:00:32,429 --> 00:00:39,359: Panther.

This 65 00:00:39,359 --> 00:00:39,509: is 66 00:00:39,509 --> 00:00:39,570: a 67 00:00:39,570 --> 00:00:39,990: test 68 00:00:39,990 --> 00:00:40,049: of 69 00:00:40,049 --> 00:00:40,140: the 70 00:00:40,140 --> 00:00:40,799: Station 71 00:00:40,799 --> 00:00:41,218: Alert 72 00:00:41,218 --> 00:00:42,359: System. 73 00:00:42,359 --> 00:00:42,479: At 74 00:00:42,479 --> 00:00:42,719: this 75 00:00:42,719 --> 00:00:43,049: time 76 00:00:43,049 --> 00:00:43,289: no 77 00:00:43,289 --> 00:00:43,679: action 78 00:00:43,679 --> 00:00:43,859: is 79 00:00:43,859 --> 00:00:44,640: needed, 80 00:00:44,640 --> 00:00:44,961: glimmer 81 00:00:44,961 --> 00:00:45,420: levels 82 00:00:45,420 --> 00:00:45,630: are 83 00:00:45,630 --> 00:00:46,229: within 84 00:00:46,229 --> 00:00:46,859: expected 85 00:00:46,859 --> 00:00:47,880: parameters, 86 00:00:47,880 --> 00:00:48,030: and 87 00:00:48,030 --> 00:00:48,179: no 88 00:00:48,179 --> 00:00:49,020: psionic 89 00:00:49,020 --> 00:00:49,170: or 90 00:00:49,170 --> 00:00:49,770: epistemic 91 00:00:49,770 --> 00:00:50,250: threats 92 00:00:50,250 --> 00:00:50,549: have 93 00:00:50,549 --> 00:00:50,729: been 94 00:00:50,729 --> 00:00:52,049: detected. 95 00:00:52,049 --> 00:00:52,170: In 96 00:00:52,170 --> 00:00:52,439: case 97 00:00:52,439 --> 00:00:52,530: of 98 00:00:52,530 --> 00:00:52,679: an 99 00:00:52,679 --> 00:00:53,130: actual 100 00:00:53,130 --> 00:00:53,729: emergency, 101 00:00:53,729 --> 00:00:54,149: remember 102 00:00:54,149 --> 00:00:54,270: to 103 00:00:54,270 --> 00:00:54,630: proceed 104 00:00:54,630 --> 00:00:54,689: at 105 00:00:54,689 --> 00:00:55,020: once 106 00:00:55,020 --> 00:00:55,200: to 107 00:00:55,200 --> 00:00:55,950: evacuation 108 00:00:55,950 --> 00:00:56,880: shuttles 109 00:00:56,880 --> 00:00:57,149: unless 110 00:00:57,149 --> 00:00:57,630: otherwise 111 00:00:57,630 --> 00:00:58,890: instructed. 112 00:00:58,890 --> 00:00:59,100: This 113 00:00:59,100 --> 00:00:59,219: has 114 00:00:59,219 --> 00:00:59,369: been 115 00:00:59,369 --> 00:00:59,429: a 116 00:00:59,429 --> 00:00:59,969: test 117 00:00:59,969 --> 00:01:00,029: of 118 00:01:00,029 --> 00:01:00,090: the 119 00:01:00,090 --> 00:01:00,630: Station 120 00:01:00,630 --> 00:01:00,929: Alert 121 00:01:00,929 --> 00:01:02,070: System. 122 00:01:02,070 --> 00:01:02,280: Please 123 00:01:02,280 --> 00:01:02,759: return 124 00:01:02,759 --> 00:01:03,030: to 125 00:01:03,030 --> 00:01:03,450: your assigned 126 00:01:03,450 --> 00:01:04,469: duties,

And 127 00:01:04,469 --> 00:01:04,739: Please 128 00:01:04,739 --> 00:01:06,541: enjoy


“Code 129 00:01:06,541 --> 00:01:07,769: White” 130 00:01:07,769 --> 00:01:07,920: by 131 00:01:07,920 --> 00:01:08,489: Madison 132 00:01:08,489 --> 00:01:08,819: Rye 133 00:01:08,819 --> 00:01:14,790: Progress

Attention! 134 00:01:14,790 --> 00:01:15,420: Station 135 00:01:15,420 --> 00:01:15,659: alert 136 00:01:15,659 --> 00:01:16,079: level 137 00:01:16,079 --> 00:01:16,290: has 138 00:01:16,290 --> 00:01:16,439: been 139 00:01:16,439 --> 00:01:16,769: set 140 00:01:16,769 --> 00:01:16,920: to 141 00:01:16,920 --> 00:01:18,180: white!
The 142 00:01:18,180 --> 00:01:18,569: station 143 00:01:18,569 --> 00:01:18,659: is 144 00:01:18,659 --> 00:01:19,200: suffering 145 00:01:19,200 --> 00:01:19,799: dangerously 146 00:01:19,799 --> 00:01:20,219: high 147 00:01:20,219 --> 00:01:20,670: levels 148 00:01:20,670 --> 00:01:20,819: of 149 00:01:20,819 --> 00:01:21,659: glimmer, 150 00:01:21,659 --> 00:01:21,840: there 151 00:01:21,840 --> 00:01:21,900: are 152 00:01:21,900 --> 00:01:22,469: several 153 00:01:22,469 --> 00:01:22,928: active 154 00:01:22,928 --> 00:01:23,370: psionic 155 00:01:23,370 --> 00:01:24,269: threats, 156 00:01:24,269 --> 00:01:25,079: or 157 00:01:25,079 --> 00:01:25,290: there 158 00:01:25,290 --> 00:01:25,409: is 159 00:01:25,409 --> 00:01:25,739: another 160 00:01:25,739 --> 00:01:26,459: significant 161 00:01:26,459 --> 00:01:27,090: epistemic 162 00:01:27,090 --> 00:01:28,439: emergency. 163 00:01:28,439 --> 00:01:28,799: Turn 164 00:01:28,799 --> 00:01:29,129: off 165 00:01:29,129 --> 00:01:29,340: all 166 00:01:29,340 --> 00:01:29,640: glimmer 167 00:01:29,640 --> 00:01:30,599: probers. 168 00:01:30,599 --> 00:01:31,230: Seek 169 00:01:31,230 --> 00:01:31,739: psionic 170 00:01:31,739 --> 00:01:32,939: insulation. 171 00:01:32,939 --> 00:01:33,629: Psychics 172 00:01:33,629 --> 00:01:33,840: should 173 00:01:33,840 --> 00:01:34,170: report 174 00:01:34,170 --> 00:01:34,260: to 175 00:01:34,260 --> 00:01:34,349: the 176 00:01:34,349 --> 00:01:35,069: Mantis 177 00:01:35,069 --> 00:01:35,280: for 178 00:01:35,280 --> 00:01:37,709: mindbreaking.
Abby 179 00:01:37,709 --> 00:01:38,189: clutched 180 00:01:38,189 --> 00:01:38,340: at 181 00:01:38,340 --> 00:01:38,519: the 182 00:01:38,519 --> 00:01:38,969: armrests 183 00:01:38,969 --> 00:01:39,090: of 184 00:01:39,090 --> 00:01:39,209: her 185 00:01:39,209 --> 00:01:39,659: seat 186 00:01:39,659 --> 00:01:39,810: as 187 00:01:39,810 --> 00:01:39,989: the 188 00:01:39,989 --> 00:01:40,379: evac 189 00:01:40,379 --> 00:01:40,920: shuttle, 190 00:01:40,920 --> 00:01:41,430: still 191 00:01:41,430 --> 00:01:41,670: docked 192 00:01:41,670 --> 00:01:41,760: to 193 00:01:41,760 --> 00:01:41,819: the 194 00:01:41,819 --> 00:01:42,629: station, 195 00:01:42,629 --> 00:01:43,319: jolted 196 00:01:43,319 --> 00:01:43,500: with 197 00:01:43,500 --> 00:01:43,590: an 198 00:01:43,590 --> 00:01:44,879: explosion. 199 00:01:44,879 --> 00:01:45,329: Crates 200 00:01:45,329 --> 00:01:45,959: slammed 201 00:01:45,959 --> 00:01:46,290: against 202 00:01:46,290 --> 00:01:46,379: the 203 00:01:46,379 --> 00:01:47,219: wall. 204 00:01:47,219 --> 00:01:47,790: Lockers 205 00:01:47,790 --> 00:01:47,879: in 206 00:01:47,879 --> 00:01:47,969: the 207 00:01:47,969 --> 00:01:48,209: med 208 00:01:48,209 --> 00:01:48,780: bay, 209 00:01:48,780 --> 00:01:49,109: not 210 00:01:49,109 --> 00:01:49,379: yet 211 00:01:49,379 --> 00:01:49,709: bolted 212 00:01:49,709 --> 00:01:50,730: securely, 213 00:01:50,730 --> 00:01:51,359: wobbled 214 00:01:51,359 --> 00:01:51,599: and 215 00:01:51,599 --> 00:01:52,019: rattled 216 00:01:52,019 --> 00:01:52,140: in 217 00:01:52,140 --> 00:01:52,829: place, 218 00:01:52,829 --> 00:01:53,370: threatening 219 00:01:53,370 --> 00:01:53,459: to 220 00:01:53,459 --> 00:01:53,730: tip 221 00:01:53,730 --> 00:01:55,079: over. 222 00:01:55,079 --> 00:01:55,530: Everyone 223 00:01:55,530 --> 00:01:57,359: jounced in their seats, glasses 224 00:01:57,359 --> 00:01:58,109: and hats — 225 00:01:58,109 --> 00:01:58,200: the 226 00:01:58,200 --> 00:01:58,620: protective 227 00:01:58,620 --> 00:01:59,579: headgear 228 00:01:59,579 --> 00:01:59,700: the 229 00:01:59,700 --> 00:02:00,180: Psionic 230 00:02:00,180 --> 00:02:00,840: Mantis 231 00:02:00,840 --> 00:02:01,049: had 232 00:02:01,049 --> 00:02:01,469: passed 233 00:02:01,469 --> 00:02:02,189: out — 234 00:02:02,189 --> 00:02:02,760: clattered 235 00:02:02,760 --> 00:02:02,879: to 236 00:02:02,879 --> 00:02:03,000: the 237 00:02:03,000 --> 00:02:04,500: floor.
She 238 00:02:04,500 --> 00:02:05,430: shrieked, 239 00:02:05,430 --> 00:02:06,087: though so did 240 00:02:06,087 --> 00:02:06,420: several 241 00:02:06,420 --> 00:02:06,719: others 242 00:02:06,719 --> 00:02:07,680: aboard. 243 00:02:07,680 --> 00:02:08,250: Many 244 00:02:08,250 --> 00:02:08,520: went 245 00:02:08,520 --> 00:02:09,060: scrambling 246 00:02:09,060 --> 00:02:09,240: for 247 00:02:09,240 --> 00:02:09,449: their 248 00:02:09,449 --> 00:02:09,960: insulated 249 00:02:09,960 --> 00:02:11,129: headgear, 250 00:02:11,129 --> 00:02:11,550: those 251 00:02:11,550 --> 00:02:11,939: most 252 00:02:11,939 --> 00:02:12,990: unfashionable 253 00:02:12,990 --> 00:02:13,110: of 254 00:02:13,110 --> 00:02:13,919: accessories 255 00:02:13,919 --> 00:02:14,099: that 256 00:02:14,099 --> 00:02:14,759: nonetheless 257 00:02:14,759 --> 00:02:15,240: protected 258 00:02:15,240 --> 00:02:15,780: one 259 00:02:15,780 --> 00:02:15,960: from 260 00:02:15,960 --> 00:02:16,110: the 261 00:02:16,110 --> 00:02:16,860: effects 262 00:02:16,860 --> 00:02:17,009: of 263 00:02:17,009 --> 00:02:17,310: high 264 00:02:17,310 --> 00:02:19,050: glimmer.
The 265 00:02:19,050 --> 00:02:19,860: captain, 266 00:02:19,860 --> 00:02:20,280: still 267 00:02:20,280 --> 00:02:20,789: standing 268 00:02:20,789 --> 00:02:21,180: outside 269 00:02:21,180 --> 00:02:21,300: the 270 00:02:21,300 --> 00:02:22,139: airlocks, 271 00:02:22,139 --> 00:02:22,319: was 272 00:02:22,319 --> 00:02:22,770: shouting 273 00:02:22,770 --> 00:02:23,009: down 274 00:02:23,009 --> 00:02:23,069: the 275 00:02:23,069 --> 00:02:23,939: hall, 276 00:02:23,939 --> 00:02:24,360: voice 277 00:02:24,360 --> 00:02:25,050: distorted 278 00:02:25,050 --> 00:02:25,139: by 279 00:02:25,139 --> 00:02:25,229: the 280 00:02:25,229 --> 00:02:25,650: very 281 00:02:25,650 --> 00:02:26,909: strangeness 282 00:02:26,909 --> 00:02:27,120: of 283 00:02:27,120 --> 00:02:27,300: the 284 00:02:27,300 --> 00:02:28,289: air. 285 00:02:28,289 --> 00:02:28,650: It 286 00:02:28,650 --> 00:02:29,639: sounded 287 00:02:29,639 --> 00:02:30,780: sparkly. 288 00:02:30,780 --> 00:02:31,199: It 289 00:02:31,199 --> 00:02:32,009: looked 290 00:02:32,009 --> 00:02:32,340: too 291 00:02:32,340 --> 00:02:33,539: loud. 292 00:02:33,539 --> 00:02:34,020: Something 293 00:02:34,020 --> 00:02:34,319: about 294 00:02:34,319 --> 00:02:34,919: everything 295 00:02:34,919 --> 00:02:35,159: was 296 00:02:35,159 --> 00:02:35,550: just 297 00:02:35,550 --> 00:02:36,360: slightly 298 00:02:36,360 --> 00:02:37,259: off, 299 00:02:37,259 --> 00:02:37,409: as 300 00:02:37,409 --> 00:02:37,560: though 301 00:02:37,560 --> 00:02:37,889: two 302 00:02:37,889 --> 00:02:38,759: universes 303 00:02:38,759 --> 00:02:39,330: slipped 304 00:02:39,330 --> 00:02:39,569: and 305 00:02:39,569 --> 00:02:39,930: juddered 306 00:02:39,930 --> 00:02:40,349: against 307 00:02:40,349 --> 00:02:40,500: each 308 00:02:40,500 --> 00:02:41,099: other, 309 00:02:41,099 --> 00:02:41,639: sending 310 00:02:41,639 --> 00:02:42,180: flares 311 00:02:42,180 --> 00:02:42,300: of 312 00:02:42,300 --> 00:02:42,569: one 313 00:02:42,569 --> 00:02:43,469: reality 314 00:02:43,469 --> 00:02:43,830: through 315 00:02:43,830 --> 00:02:44,009: the 316 00:02:44,009 --> 00:02:45,960: other.
“815!” 317 00:02:45,960 --> 00:02:48,270: the captain hollered from the 318 00:02:48,270 --> 00:02:50,310: hall. “No, don’t treat 319 00:02:50,310 --> 00:02:50,490: them 320 00:02:50,490 --> 00:02:51,060: here, 321 00:02:51,060 --> 00:02:51,449: treat them in 322 00:02:51,449 --> 00:02:51,569: the 323 00:02:51,569 --> 00:02:51,870: shuttle 324 00:02:51,870 --> 00:02:52,139: med 325 00:02:52,139 --> 00:02:54,449: bay!”
Attention! 326 00:02:54,449 --> 00:02:55,080: Station 327 00:02:55,080 --> 00:02:55,409: alert 328 00:02:55,409 --> 00:02:55,830: level 329 00:02:55,830 --> 00:02:56,069: has 330 00:02:56,069 --> 00:02:56,219: been 331 00:02:56,219 --> 00:02:56,490: set 332 00:02:56,490 --> 00:02:56,639: to 333 00:02:56,639 --> 00:02:57,840: white!
The 334 00:02:57,840 --> 00:02:58,439: station 335 00:02:58,439 --> 00:02:58,560: is 336 00:02:58,560 --> 00:02:59,159: suffering 337 00:02:59,159 --> 00:02:59,789: dangerously 338 00:02:59,789 --> 00:03:00,120: high 339 00:03:00,120 --> 00:03:00,419: levels 340 00:03:00,419 --> 00:03:00,509: of 341 00:03:00,509 --> 00:03:01,409: glimmer, 342 00:03:01,409 --> 00:03:01,620: there 343 00:03:01,620 --> 00:03:01,680: are 344 00:03:01,680 --> 00:03:02,310: several 345 00:03:02,310 --> 00:03:02,879: active 346 00:03:02,879 --> 00:03:03,300: psionic 347 00:03:03,300 --> 00:03:04,110: threats, 348 00:03:04,110 --> 00:03:04,830: or 349 00:03:04,830 --> 00:03:05,009: there 350 00:03:05,009 --> 00:03:05,129: is 351 00:03:05,129 --> 00:03:05,430: another 352 00:03:05,430 --> 00:03:06,330: significant 353 00:03:06,330 --> 00:03:06,960: epistemic 354 00:03:06,960 --> 00:03:08,280: emergency. 355 00:03:08,280 --> 00:03:08,610: Turn 356 00:03:08,610 --> 00:03:08,939: off 357 00:03:08,939 --> 00:03:09,240: all 358 00:03:09,240 --> 00:03:09,449: glimmer 359 00:03:09,449 --> 00:03:10,289: probers. 360 00:03:10,289 --> 00:03:10,830: Seek 361 00:03:10,830 --> 00:03:11,490: psionic 362 00:03:11,490 --> 00:03:12,539: insulation. 363 00:03:12,539 --> 00:03:13,259: Psychics 364 00:03:13,259 --> 00:03:13,500: should 365 00:03:13,500 --> 00:03:13,919: report 366 00:03:13,919 --> 00:03:14,039: to 367 00:03:14,039 --> 00:03:14,129: the 368 00:03:14,129 --> 00:03:14,849: Mantis 369 00:03:14,849 --> 00:03:15,120: for 370 00:03:15,120 --> 00:03:18,030: mindbreaking.
“Mama, 371 00:03:18,030 --> 00:03:19,469: what’s–”
“Hush, 372 00:03:19,469 --> 00:03:20,189: baby,” 373 00:03:20,189 --> 00:03:20,340: her 374 00:03:20,340 --> 00:03:20,610: mother 375 00:03:20,610 --> 00:03:21,719: said, 376 00:03:21,719 --> 00:03:22,199: tucking 377 00:03:22,199 --> 00:03:22,530: Abby 378 00:03:22,530 --> 00:03:22,680: as 379 00:03:22,680 --> 00:03:23,009: close 380 00:03:23,009 --> 00:03:23,069: as 381 00:03:23,069 --> 00:03:23,280: she 382 00:03:23,280 --> 00:03:23,550: could 383 00:03:23,550 --> 00:03:23,939: across 384 00:03:23,939 --> 00:03:24,000: the 385 00:03:24,000 --> 00:03:24,360: safe 386 00:03:24,360 --> 00:03:24,780: distance 387 00:03:24,780 --> 00:03:25,080: between 388 00:03:25,080 --> 00:03:25,139: the 389 00:03:25,139 --> 00:03:25,409: flight 390 00:03:25,409 --> 00:03:26,580: chairs. 391 00:03:26,580 --> 00:03:26,669: It 392 00:03:26,669 --> 00:03:26,819: was 393 00:03:26,819 --> 00:03:26,939: at 394 00:03:26,939 --> 00:03:27,449: least 395 00:03:27,449 --> 00:03:27,719: enough 396 00:03:27,719 --> 00:03:27,870: for 397 00:03:27,870 --> 00:03:28,020: her 398 00:03:28,020 --> 00:03:28,289: mother 399 00:03:28,289 --> 00:03:28,379: to 400 00:03:28,379 --> 00:03:28,800: hug 401 00:03:28,800 --> 00:03:29,189: around 402 00:03:29,189 --> 00:03:29,370: her 403 00:03:29,370 --> 00:03:30,180: head, 404 00:03:30,180 --> 00:03:30,599: damping 405 00:03:30,599 --> 00:03:30,719: out 406 00:03:30,719 --> 00:03:30,810: the 407 00:03:30,810 --> 00:03:31,349: sound 408 00:03:31,349 --> 00:03:31,530: with 409 00:03:31,530 --> 00:03:31,680: one 410 00:03:31,680 --> 00:03:31,770: of 411 00:03:31,770 --> 00:03:31,860: her 412 00:03:31,860 --> 00:03:34,289: paws. “Hush. 413 00:03:34,289 --> 00:03:34,439: It 414 00:03:34,439 --> 00:03:34,770: just 415 00:03:34,770 --> 00:03:35,069: means 416 00:03:35,069 --> 00:03:35,315: things are 417 00:03:35,315 --> 00:03:35,460: going 418 00:03:35,460 --> 00:03:35,520: to 419 00:03:35,520 --> 00:03:35,849: feel 420 00:03:35,849 --> 00:03:36,270: really 421 00:03:36,270 --> 00:03:36,569: weird 422 00:03:36,569 --> 00:03:36,810: for 423 00:03:36,810 --> 00:03:36,870: a 424 00:03:36,870 --> 00:03:38,460: bit.”
From 425 00:03:38,460 --> 00:03:38,939: across 426 00:03:38,939 --> 00:03:39,090: the 427 00:03:39,090 --> 00:03:39,750: aisle, 428 00:03:39,750 --> 00:03:39,900: her 429 00:03:39,900 --> 00:03:40,379: father’s 430 00:03:40,379 --> 00:03:41,099: face, 431 00:03:41,099 --> 00:03:41,550: always 432 00:03:41,550 --> 00:03:41,879: so 433 00:03:41,879 --> 00:03:42,659: calm, 434 00:03:42,659 --> 00:03:43,229: crinkled 435 00:03:43,229 --> 00:03:43,530: into 436 00:03:43,530 --> 00:03:43,560: a 437 00:03:43,560 --> 00:03:45,509: smile. “It’s 438 00:03:45,509 --> 00:03:45,930: alright, 439 00:03:45,930 --> 00:03:46,139: little 440 00:03:46,139 --> 00:03:47,340: Soot. 441 00:03:47,340 --> 00:03:47,490: The 442 00:03:47,490 --> 00:03:47,879: boom 443 00:03:47,879 --> 00:03:48,060: was 444 00:03:48,060 --> 00:03:48,389: just 445 00:03:48,389 --> 00:03:48,449: the 446 00:03:48,449 --> 00:03:48,900: prober 447 00:03:48,900 --> 00:03:49,349: going, 448 00:03:49,349 --> 00:03:49,530: which 449 00:03:49,530 --> 00:03:49,770: means 450 00:03:49,770 --> 00:03:49,889: that 451 00:03:49,889 --> 00:03:50,219: things 452 00:03:50,219 --> 00:03:50,370: will 453 00:03:50,370 --> 00:03:50,669: level 454 00:03:50,669 --> 00:03:52,469: out.”
She 455 00:03:52,469 --> 00:03:53,490: nodded, 456 00:03:53,490 --> 00:03:54,150: watching 457 00:03:54,150 --> 00:03:54,300: as 458 00:03:54,300 --> 00:03:54,389: the 459 00:03:54,389 --> 00:03:54,900: captain 460 00:03:54,900 --> 00:03:55,409: chased 461 00:03:55,409 --> 00:03:55,530: the 462 00:03:55,530 --> 00:03:55,949: last 463 00:03:55,949 --> 00:03:56,009: of 464 00:03:56,009 --> 00:03:56,099: the 465 00:03:56,099 --> 00:03:56,669: paramedics 466 00:03:56,669 --> 00:03:57,509: aboard 467 00:03:57,509 --> 00:03:57,750: and 468 00:03:57,750 --> 00:03:58,289: dashed 469 00:03:58,289 --> 00:03:58,439: up 470 00:03:58,439 --> 00:03:58,560: to 471 00:03:58,560 --> 00:03:58,650: the 472 00:03:58,650 --> 00:03:59,969: cockpit. 473 00:03:59,969 --> 00:04:00,060: A 474 00:04:00,060 --> 00:04:00,569: scant 475 00:04:00,569 --> 00:04:00,900: moment 476 00:04:00,900 --> 00:04:01,620: later, 477 00:04:01,620 --> 00:04:01,889: the 478 00:04:01,889 --> 00:04:02,370: airlocks 479 00:04:02,370 --> 00:04:02,849: bolted 480 00:04:02,849 --> 00:04:03,539: shut 481 00:04:03,539 --> 00:04:03,689: and 482 00:04:03,689 --> 00:04:03,780: the 483 00:04:03,780 --> 00:04:04,199: shuttle 484 00:04:04,199 --> 00:04:04,620: drifted 485 00:04:04,620 --> 00:04:04,800: away 486 00:04:04,800 --> 00:04:04,979: from 487 00:04:04,979 --> 00:04:05,069: the 488 00:04:05,069 --> 00:04:05,909: station, 489 00:04:05,909 --> 00:04:06,659: strangely 490 00:04:06,659 --> 00:04:09,449: placid.
Her 491 00:04:09,449 --> 00:04:09,840: father’s 492 00:04:09,840 --> 00:04:10,500: explanation 493 00:04:10,500 --> 00:04:11,039: soothed 494 00:04:11,039 --> 00:04:11,550: her 495 00:04:11,550 --> 00:04:11,699: in 496 00:04:11,699 --> 00:04:11,759: a 497 00:04:11,759 --> 00:04:12,030: way 498 00:04:12,030 --> 00:04:12,240: her 499 00:04:12,240 --> 00:04:12,599: mother’s 500 00:04:12,599 --> 00:04:13,409: reassurances 501 00:04:13,409 --> 00:04:14,610: didn’t. 502 00:04:14,610 --> 00:04:14,789: They 503 00:04:14,789 --> 00:04:15,060: worked 504 00:04:15,060 --> 00:04:15,479: together 505 00:04:15,479 --> 00:04:15,599: to 506 00:04:15,599 --> 00:04:15,930: settle 507 00:04:15,930 --> 00:04:16,050: her 508 00:04:16,050 --> 00:04:16,949: nerves, 509 00:04:16,949 --> 00:04:17,279: each 510 00:04:17,279 --> 00:04:17,610: coming 511 00:04:17,610 --> 00:04:17,819: from 512 00:04:17,819 --> 00:04:18,120: two 513 00:04:18,120 --> 00:04:18,480: different 514 00:04:18,480 --> 00:04:20,879: angles.
“We’re 515 00:04:20,879 --> 00:04:21,209: still 516 00:04:21,209 --> 00:04:21,600: leaving, 517 00:04:21,600 --> 00:04:23,279: though?”
He 518 00:04:23,279 --> 00:04:24,689: nodded. “They’ll 519 00:04:24,689 --> 00:04:24,839: have 520 00:04:24,839 --> 00:04:24,930: the 521 00:04:24,930 --> 00:04:25,470: advanced 522 00:04:25,470 --> 00:04:25,740: crew 523 00:04:25,740 --> 00:04:26,009: come 524 00:04:26,009 --> 00:04:26,639: through 525 00:04:26,639 --> 00:04:26,819: and 526 00:04:26,819 --> 00:04:27,060: get 527 00:04:27,060 --> 00:04:27,540: everything 528 00:04:27,540 --> 00:04:27,660: all 529 00:04:27,660 --> 00:04:28,110: straightened 530 00:04:28,110 --> 00:04:28,769: up, 531 00:04:28,769 --> 00:04:29,160: not 532 00:04:29,160 --> 00:04:29,370: us 533 00:04:29,370 --> 00:04:30,000: everyday, 534 00:04:30,000 --> 00:04:30,480: ordinary 535 00:04:30,480 --> 00:04:31,230: chumps,” 536 00:04:31,230 --> 00:04:31,410: he 537 00:04:31,410 --> 00:04:32,160: said, 538 00:04:32,160 --> 00:04:32,220: a 539 00:04:32,220 --> 00:04:32,670: chuckle 540 00:04:32,670 --> 00:04:33,120: rumbling 541 00:04:33,120 --> 00:04:33,420: beneath 542 00:04:33,420 --> 00:04:33,569: his 543 00:04:33,569 --> 00:04:35,100: words. “We 544 00:04:35,100 --> 00:04:35,370: couldn’t 545 00:04:35,370 --> 00:04:35,579: get 546 00:04:35,579 --> 00:04:36,089: drainers 547 00:04:36,089 --> 00:04:36,269: done 548 00:04:36,269 --> 00:04:36,389: in 549 00:04:36,389 --> 00:04:37,230: time. 550 00:04:37,230 --> 00:04:38,009: Safest 551 00:04:38,009 --> 00:04:38,129: to 552 00:04:38,129 --> 00:04:38,459: just 553 00:04:38,459 --> 00:04:38,639: head 554 00:04:38,639 --> 00:04:42,149: out.”
“Okay,” 555 00:04:42,149 --> 00:04:42,449: she 556 00:04:42,449 --> 00:04:43,230: said, 557 00:04:43,230 --> 00:04:43,529: doing 558 00:04:43,529 --> 00:04:43,769: her 559 00:04:43,769 --> 00:04:44,220: best 560 00:04:44,220 --> 00:04:44,339: to 561 00:04:44,339 --> 00:04:44,730: embody 562 00:04:44,730 --> 00:04:44,939: that 563 00:04:44,939 --> 00:04:46,529: confidence. 564 00:04:46,529 --> 00:04:47,069: Settling 565 00:04:47,069 --> 00:04:47,459: back 566 00:04:47,459 --> 00:04:47,579: in 567 00:04:47,579 --> 00:04:47,730: her 568 00:04:47,730 --> 00:04:48,449: seat 569 00:04:48,449 --> 00:04:48,600: and 570 00:04:48,600 --> 00:04:48,959: tugging 571 00:04:48,959 --> 00:04:49,230: away 572 00:04:49,230 --> 00:04:49,379: from 573 00:04:49,379 --> 00:04:49,470: her 574 00:04:49,470 --> 00:04:49,860: mother’s 575 00:04:49,860 --> 00:04:50,214: awkward 576 00:04:50,214 --> 00:04:51,360: embrace, 577 00:04:51,360 --> 00:04:51,870: Abby 578 00:04:51,870 --> 00:04:52,199: ran 579 00:04:52,199 --> 00:04:52,259: a 580 00:04:52,259 --> 00:04:52,740: paw 581 00:04:52,740 --> 00:04:52,889: through 582 00:04:52,889 --> 00:04:53,129: the 583 00:04:53,129 --> 00:04:53,670: unruly 584 00:04:53,670 --> 00:04:54,149: mop 585 00:04:54,149 --> 00:04:54,360: of 586 00:04:54,360 --> 00:04:55,889: white headfur — 587 00:04:55,889 --> 00:04:56,160: the 588 00:04:56,160 --> 00:04:56,519: only 589 00:04:56,519 --> 00:04:56,879: break 590 00:04:56,879 --> 00:04:56,970: in 591 00:04:56,970 --> 00:04:57,089: the 592 00:04:57,089 --> 00:04:57,779: otherwise 593 00:04:57,779 --> 00:04:58,110: all 594 00:04:58,110 --> 00:04:58,439: black 595 00:04:58,439 --> 00:04:58,949: coat 596 00:04:58,949 --> 00:04:59,279: she’d 597 00:04:59,279 --> 00:04:59,610: had 598 00:04:59,610 --> 00:04:59,910: since 599 00:04:59,910 --> 00:05:00,720: birth — 600 00:05:00,720 --> 00:05:00,870: to 601 00:05:00,870 --> 00:05:01,110: try 602 00:05:01,110 --> 00:05:01,230: and 603 00:05:01,230 --> 00:05:01,620: straighten 604 00:05:01,620 --> 00:05:04,439: it.
“Abigail?! 605 00:05:04,439 --> 00:05:04,800: Where’s 606 00:05:04,800 --> 00:05:05,009: your 607 00:05:05,009 --> 00:05:05,759: hat? 608 00:05:05,759 --> 00:05:06,240: Where’s 609 00:05:06,240 --> 00:05:09,240: the–”
Attention! 610 00:05:09,240 --> 00:05:09,779: Station 611 00:05:09,779 --> 00:05:10,079: alert 612 00:05:10,079 --> 00:05:10,439: level 613 00:05:10,439 --> 00:05:10,649: has 614 00:05:10,649 --> 00:05:10,800: been 615 00:05:10,800 --> 00:05:11,069: set 616 00:05:11,069 --> 00:05:11,670: to—
There 617 00:05:11,670 --> 00:05:12,029: was 618 00:05:12,029 --> 00:05:12,269: no 619 00:05:12,269 --> 00:05:14,490: discontinuity.
That 620 00:05:14,490 --> 00:05:14,670: was 621 00:05:14,670 --> 00:05:14,759: the 622 00:05:14,759 --> 00:05:15,149: worst 623 00:05:15,149 --> 00:05:16,139: part, 624 00:05:16,139 --> 00:05:16,319: they 625 00:05:16,319 --> 00:05:16,470: would 626 00:05:16,470 --> 00:05:16,920: often 627 00:05:16,920 --> 00:05:17,339: think 628 00:05:17,339 --> 00:05:17,490: when 629 00:05:17,490 --> 00:05:17,670: they 630 00:05:17,670 --> 00:05:18,029: woke 631 00:05:18,029 --> 00:05:18,240: from 632 00:05:18,240 --> 00:05:18,449: yet 633 00:05:18,449 --> 00:05:18,720: another 634 00:05:18,720 --> 00:05:19,439: nightmare 635 00:05:19,439 --> 00:05:19,620: of 636 00:05:19,620 --> 00:05:19,949: that 637 00:05:19,949 --> 00:05:20,490: day 638 00:05:20,490 --> 00:05:20,610: a 639 00:05:20,610 --> 00:05:21,089: decade 640 00:05:21,089 --> 00:05:21,180: and 641 00:05:21,180 --> 00:05:21,240: a 642 00:05:21,240 --> 00:05:21,600: half 643 00:05:21,600 --> 00:05:22,439: ago, 644 00:05:22,439 --> 00:05:22,709: that 645 00:05:22,709 --> 00:05:23,189: awful 646 00:05:23,189 --> 00:05:23,879: glimmer-induced 647 00:05:23,879 --> 00:05:25,529: mind-swap. 648 00:05:25,529 --> 00:05:25,740: There 649 00:05:25,740 --> 00:05:26,040: was 650 00:05:26,040 --> 00:05:26,250: no 651 00:05:26,250 --> 00:05:27,870: discontinuity. 652 00:05:27,870 --> 00:05:28,050: There 653 00:05:28,050 --> 00:05:28,230: should 654 00:05:28,230 --> 00:05:28,350: have 655 00:05:28,350 --> 00:05:28,560: been 656 00:05:28,560 --> 00:05:28,949: some 657 00:05:28,949 --> 00:05:29,490: break 658 00:05:29,490 --> 00:05:29,670: in 659 00:05:29,670 --> 00:05:30,389: their — 660 00:05:30,389 --> 00:05:30,930: or 661 00:05:30,930 --> 00:05:31,769: her, 662 00:05:31,769 --> 00:05:31,980: as 663 00:05:31,980 --> 00:05:32,069: they 664 00:05:32,069 --> 00:05:32,370: thought 665 00:05:32,370 --> 00:05:32,430: of 666 00:05:32,430 --> 00:05:32,879: themself 667 00:05:32,879 --> 00:05:33,149: back 668 00:05:33,149 --> 00:05:33,959: then — 669 00:05:33,959 --> 00:05:34,800: perception 670 00:05:34,800 --> 00:05:34,949: of 671 00:05:34,949 --> 00:05:36,089: time, 672 00:05:36,089 --> 00:05:36,449: some 673 00:05:36,449 --> 00:05:37,019: blacking 674 00:05:37,019 --> 00:05:37,230: out, 675 00:05:37,230 --> 00:05:37,470: some 676 00:05:37,470 --> 00:05:37,829: fading 677 00:05:37,829 --> 00:05:38,009: to 678 00:05:38,009 --> 00:05:38,399: white 679 00:05:38,399 --> 00:05:38,550: that 680 00:05:38,550 --> 00:05:39,257: presaged 681 00:05:39,257 --> 00:05:39,360: the 682 00:05:39,360 --> 00:05:40,920: shift. 683 00:05:40,920 --> 00:05:41,129: If 684 00:05:41,129 --> 00:05:41,279: there 685 00:05:41,279 --> 00:05:41,519: was 686 00:05:41,519 --> 00:05:41,610: to 687 00:05:41,610 --> 00:05:41,730: be 688 00:05:41,730 --> 00:05:41,759: a 689 00:05:41,759 --> 00:05:42,300: singular 690 00:05:42,300 --> 00:05:42,720: event 691 00:05:42,720 --> 00:05:42,839: that 692 00:05:42,839 --> 00:05:43,019: had 693 00:05:43,019 --> 00:05:43,319: ripped 694 00:05:43,319 --> 00:05:43,439: her 695 00:05:43,439 --> 00:05:43,860: mind 696 00:05:43,860 --> 00:05:44,399: briefly 697 00:05:44,399 --> 00:05:44,519: from 698 00:05:44,519 --> 00:05:44,610: her 699 00:05:44,610 --> 00:05:45,329: body, 700 00:05:45,329 --> 00:05:45,839: split 701 00:05:45,839 --> 00:05:45,990: her 702 00:05:45,990 --> 00:05:46,620: identity 703 00:05:46,620 --> 00:05:46,740: in 704 00:05:46,740 --> 00:05:47,670: twain, 705 00:05:47,670 --> 00:05:48,000: it 706 00:05:48,000 --> 00:05:48,149: ought 707 00:05:48,149 --> 00:05:48,360: to 708 00:05:48,360 --> 00:05:48,449: have 709 00:05:48,449 --> 00:05:48,839: felt 710 00:05:48,839 --> 00:05:49,620: like 711 00:05:49,620 --> 00:05:52,199: something.
There 712 00:05:52,199 --> 00:05:52,350: had 713 00:05:52,350 --> 00:05:52,529: not 714 00:05:52,529 --> 00:05:52,740: even 715 00:05:52,740 --> 00:05:52,920: been 716 00:05:52,920 --> 00:05:52,980: a 717 00:05:52,980 --> 00:05:53,730: perceivable 718 00:05:53,730 --> 00:05:54,449: decrease 719 00:05:54,449 --> 00:05:54,600: in 720 00:05:54,600 --> 00:05:54,689: the 721 00:05:54,689 --> 00:05:55,410: unnerving 722 00:05:55,410 --> 00:05:56,069: tang 723 00:05:56,069 --> 00:05:56,279: of 724 00:05:56,279 --> 00:05:56,819: glimmer 725 00:05:56,819 --> 00:05:56,939: in 726 00:05:56,939 --> 00:05:57,120: the 727 00:05:57,120 --> 00:05:58,680: air.
She 728 00:05:58,680 --> 00:05:58,829: had 729 00:05:58,829 --> 00:05:59,069: been 730 00:05:59,069 --> 00:05:59,670: there, 731 00:05:59,670 --> 00:06:00,149: sitting 732 00:06:00,149 --> 00:06:00,240: in 733 00:06:00,240 --> 00:06:00,329: her 734 00:06:00,329 --> 00:06:00,660: flight 735 00:06:00,660 --> 00:06:01,350: chair, 736 00:06:01,350 --> 00:06:01,769: running 737 00:06:01,769 --> 00:06:01,920: her 738 00:06:01,920 --> 00:06:02,250: paw 739 00:06:02,250 --> 00:06:02,490: through 740 00:06:02,490 --> 00:06:02,610: her 741 00:06:02,610 --> 00:06:03,480: headfur, 742 00:06:03,480 --> 00:06:03,839: just 743 00:06:03,839 --> 00:06:04,019: this 744 00:06:04,019 --> 00:06:04,740: twelve-year-old 745 00:06:04,740 --> 00:06:05,129: mouse 746 00:06:05,129 --> 00:06:05,279: her 747 00:06:05,279 --> 00:06:05,699: dad 748 00:06:05,699 --> 00:06:06,089: always 749 00:06:06,089 --> 00:06:07,199: called ‘little 750 00:06:07,199 --> 00:06:08,519: Soot’, 751 00:06:08,519 --> 00:06:08,639: and 752 00:06:08,639 --> 00:06:08,790: then 753 00:06:08,790 --> 00:06:09,000: she 754 00:06:09,000 --> 00:06:09,149: was 755 00:06:09,149 --> 00:06:09,269: at 756 00:06:09,269 --> 00:06:09,360: the 757 00:06:09,360 --> 00:06:10,290: cockpit 758 00:06:10,290 --> 00:06:10,470: in 759 00:06:10,470 --> 00:06:10,529: a 760 00:06:10,529 --> 00:06:11,040: wildly 761 00:06:11,040 --> 00:06:11,339: different 762 00:06:11,339 --> 00:06:12,060: body, 763 00:06:12,060 --> 00:06:12,449: sitting 764 00:06:12,449 --> 00:06:12,569: in 765 00:06:12,569 --> 00:06:12,839: front 766 00:06:12,839 --> 00:06:13,050: of 767 00:06:13,050 --> 00:06:13,649: unfamiliar 768 00:06:13,649 --> 00:06:19,470: controls.
She/he/this body cried 769 00:06:19,470 --> 00:06:19,740: out 770 00:06:19,740 --> 00:06:19,889: in 771 00:06:19,889 --> 00:06:20,519: shock 772 00:06:20,519 --> 00:06:20,699: and 773 00:06:20,699 --> 00:06:21,509: agony, 774 00:06:21,509 --> 00:06:21,689: for 775 00:06:21,689 --> 00:06:21,810: the 776 00:06:21,810 --> 00:06:22,620: captain, 777 00:06:22,620 --> 00:06:22,980: whose 778 00:06:22,980 --> 00:06:23,286: body 779 00:06:23,286 --> 00:06:23,490: she 780 00:06:23,490 --> 00:06:23,670: now 781 00:06:23,670 --> 00:06:24,629: inhabited, 782 00:06:24,629 --> 00:06:24,810: had 783 00:06:24,810 --> 00:06:24,959: been 784 00:06:24,959 --> 00:06:25,170: well 785 00:06:25,170 --> 00:06:25,290: and 786 00:06:25,290 --> 00:06:25,649: truly 787 00:06:25,649 --> 00:06:26,310: singed 788 00:06:26,310 --> 00:06:26,399: by 789 00:06:26,399 --> 00:06:26,490: the 790 00:06:26,490 --> 00:06:27,120: explosion 791 00:06:27,120 --> 00:06:27,180: of 792 00:06:27,180 --> 00:06:27,269: the 793 00:06:27,269 --> 00:06:28,470: prober, 794 00:06:28,470 --> 00:06:28,620: to 795 00:06:28,620 --> 00:06:28,740: the 796 00:06:28,740 --> 00:06:29,040: point 797 00:06:29,040 --> 00:06:29,160: where 798 00:06:29,160 --> 00:06:29,250: the 799 00:06:29,250 --> 00:06:30,329: CMO, 800 00:06:30,329 --> 00:06:30,509: the 801 00:06:30,509 --> 00:06:31,050: kindly 802 00:06:31,050 --> 00:06:31,560: Dr. 803 00:06:31,560 --> 00:06:32,189: R, 804 00:06:32,189 --> 00:06:32,459: was 805 00:06:32,459 --> 00:06:32,850: caught 806 00:06:32,850 --> 00:06:32,910: in 807 00:06:32,910 --> 00:06:33,029: the 808 00:06:33,029 --> 00:06:33,240: act 809 00:06:33,240 --> 00:06:33,329: of 810 00:06:33,329 --> 00:06:34,050: slathering 811 00:06:34,050 --> 00:06:34,350: burn 812 00:06:34,350 --> 00:06:34,829: ointment 813 00:06:34,829 --> 00:06:34,980: on 814 00:06:34,980 --> 00:06:35,040: the 815 00:06:35,040 --> 00:06:36,750: side of 816 00:06:36,750 --> 00:06:38,009: her/his/this 817 00:06:38,009 --> 00:06:38,459: body’s 818 00:06:38,459 --> 00:06:40,050: face. 819 00:06:40,050 --> 00:06:40,259: They 820 00:06:40,259 --> 00:06:40,980: both — 821 00:06:40,980 --> 00:06:41,279: these 822 00:06:41,279 --> 00:06:41,519: two 823 00:06:41,519 --> 00:06:42,089: bodies 824 00:06:42,089 --> 00:06:42,360: no 825 00:06:42,360 --> 00:06:42,720: longer 826 00:06:42,720 --> 00:06:43,470: inhabited 827 00:06:43,470 --> 00:06:43,589: by 828 00:06:43,589 --> 00:06:43,680: the 829 00:06:43,680 --> 00:06:43,980: correct 830 00:06:43,980 --> 00:06:44,670: minds — 831 00:06:44,670 --> 00:06:45,120: stared 832 00:06:45,120 --> 00:06:45,180: at 833 00:06:45,180 --> 00:06:45,389: each 834 00:06:45,389 --> 00:06:46,050: other 835 00:06:46,050 --> 00:06:46,259: in 836 00:06:46,259 --> 00:06:47,069: shock 837 00:06:47,069 --> 00:06:47,279: and 838 00:06:47,279 --> 00:06:49,529: horror.
“No 839 00:06:49,529 --> 00:06:49,860: no 840 00:06:49,860 --> 00:06:51,000: no–” Dr. 841 00:06:51,000 --> 00:06:52,199: R/not 842 00:06:52,199 --> 00:06:53,279: Dr. R was 843 00:06:53,279 --> 00:06:54,449: saying. 844 00:06:54,449 --> 00:06:54,569: The 845 00:06:54,569 --> 00:06:55,110: swap 846 00:06:55,110 --> 00:06:55,259: had 847 00:06:55,259 --> 00:06:55,439: hit 848 00:06:55,439 --> 00:06:55,589: them 849 00:06:55,589 --> 00:06:56,189: all, 850 00:06:56,189 --> 00:06:56,310: and 851 00:06:56,310 --> 00:06:56,519: she 852 00:06:56,519 --> 00:06:56,699: had 853 00:06:56,699 --> 00:06:56,910: no 854 00:06:56,910 --> 00:06:57,360: idea 855 00:06:57,360 --> 00:06:57,569: who 856 00:06:57,569 --> 00:06:57,689: it 857 00:06:57,689 --> 00:06:58,050: was 858 00:06:58,050 --> 00:06:58,170: that 859 00:06:58,170 --> 00:06:58,290: was 860 00:06:58,290 --> 00:06:58,980: speaking 861 00:06:58,980 --> 00:06:59,250: through 862 00:06:59,250 --> 00:06:59,670: Dr. 863 00:06:59,670 --> 00:07:00,089: R’s 864 00:07:00,089 --> 00:07:02,759: mouth.
Abby/the 865 00:07:02,759 --> 00:07:04,050: captain/this 866 00:07:04,050 --> 00:07:04,620: body 867 00:07:04,620 --> 00:07:05,459: wailed 868 00:07:05,459 --> 00:07:05,759: and 869 00:07:05,759 --> 00:07:06,360: clutched 870 00:07:06,360 --> 00:07:06,480: at 871 00:07:06,480 --> 00:07:06,569: the 872 00:07:06,569 --> 00:07:07,620: console, 873 00:07:07,620 --> 00:07:08,459: mashing 874 00:07:08,459 --> 00:07:08,790: who 875 00:07:08,790 --> 00:07:09,149: knew 876 00:07:09,149 --> 00:07:09,449: which 877 00:07:09,449 --> 00:07:09,930: buttons 878 00:07:09,930 --> 00:07:10,050: in 879 00:07:10,050 --> 00:07:10,110: a 880 00:07:10,110 --> 00:07:10,709: panicked 881 00:07:10,709 --> 00:07:11,100: attempt 882 00:07:11,100 --> 00:07:11,220: to 883 00:07:11,220 --> 00:07:11,519: find 884 00:07:11,519 --> 00:07:12,629: something, 885 00:07:12,629 --> 00:07:13,350: anything 886 00:07:13,350 --> 00:07:14,189: solid 887 00:07:14,189 --> 00:07:14,430: and 888 00:07:14,430 --> 00:07:15,149: known, 889 00:07:15,149 --> 00:07:15,870: something 890 00:07:15,870 --> 00:07:16,110: to 891 00:07:16,110 --> 00:07:16,620: anchor 892 00:07:16,620 --> 00:07:19,050: herself/himself/this 893 00:07:19,050 --> 00:07:19,529: body 894 00:07:19,529 --> 00:07:21,600: to.
Alarms 895 00:07:21,600 --> 00:07:23,399: blared.
The 896 00:07:23,399 --> 00:07:23,879: shuttle 897 00:07:23,879 --> 00:07:24,509: slewed 898 00:07:24,509 --> 00:07:25,740: sideways, 899 00:07:25,740 --> 00:07:26,189: back 900 00:07:26,189 --> 00:07:26,430: in 901 00:07:26,430 --> 00:07:26,819: toward 902 00:07:26,819 --> 00:07:26,910: the 903 00:07:26,910 --> 00:07:27,899: station 904 00:07:27,899 --> 00:07:28,139: and 905 00:07:28,139 --> 00:07:28,439: away 906 00:07:28,439 --> 00:07:28,620: from 907 00:07:28,620 --> 00:07:28,860: the 908 00:07:28,860 --> 00:07:29,310: FTL 909 00:07:29,310 --> 00:07:29,579: jump 910 00:07:29,579 --> 00:07:31,470: point.
None 911 00:07:31,470 --> 00:07:31,529: of 912 00:07:31,529 --> 00:07:31,620: the 913 00:07:31,620 --> 00:07:32,009: rest 914 00:07:32,009 --> 00:07:32,129: of 915 00:07:32,129 --> 00:07:32,339: that 916 00:07:32,339 --> 00:07:32,970: otherwise 917 00:07:32,970 --> 00:07:33,600: prosaic 918 00:07:33,600 --> 00:07:34,680: afternoon 919 00:07:34,680 --> 00:07:34,920: ever 920 00:07:34,920 --> 00:07:35,129: made 921 00:07:35,129 --> 00:07:35,250: it 922 00:07:35,250 --> 00:07:35,459: into 923 00:07:35,459 --> 00:07:35,579: their 924 00:07:35,579 --> 00:07:36,720: dream, 925 00:07:36,720 --> 00:07:36,930: and 926 00:07:36,930 --> 00:07:37,410: certainly 927 00:07:37,410 --> 00:07:37,620: none 928 00:07:37,620 --> 00:07:37,709: of 929 00:07:37,709 --> 00:07:37,920: the 930 00:07:37,920 --> 00:07:38,610: agony 931 00:07:38,610 --> 00:07:38,759: of 932 00:07:38,759 --> 00:07:39,000: the 933 00:07:39,000 --> 00:07:39,540: evening 934 00:07:39,540 --> 00:07:39,720: and 935 00:07:39,720 --> 00:07:40,110: months 936 00:07:40,110 --> 00:07:41,129: after, 937 00:07:41,129 --> 00:07:41,310: the 938 00:07:41,310 --> 00:07:42,089: reconstructive 939 00:07:42,089 --> 00:07:42,629: surgeries 940 00:07:42,629 --> 00:07:42,750: on 941 00:07:42,750 --> 00:07:42,870: their 942 00:07:42,870 --> 00:07:43,680: muzzle, 943 00:07:43,680 --> 00:07:44,009: learning 944 00:07:44,009 --> 00:07:44,220: to 945 00:07:44,220 --> 00:07:44,550: walk 946 00:07:44,550 --> 00:07:45,329: again, 947 00:07:45,329 --> 00:07:45,689: learning 948 00:07:45,689 --> 00:07:45,870: to 949 00:07:45,870 --> 00:07:46,259: live 950 00:07:46,259 --> 00:07:46,560: as 951 00:07:46,560 --> 00:07:48,000: two.
It 952 00:07:48,000 --> 00:07:48,509: always 953 00:07:48,509 --> 00:07:48,990: ended 954 00:07:48,990 --> 00:07:49,199: in 955 00:07:49,199 --> 00:07:50,550: silence, 956 00:07:50,550 --> 00:07:50,730: a 957 00:07:50,730 --> 00:07:51,180: warm 958 00:07:51,180 --> 00:07:51,509: rush 959 00:07:51,509 --> 00:07:51,720: of 960 00:07:51,720 --> 00:07:52,139: air 961 00:07:52,139 --> 00:07:52,290: to 962 00:07:52,290 --> 00:07:52,379: the 963 00:07:52,379 --> 00:07:53,009: face 964 00:07:53,009 --> 00:07:53,189: that 965 00:07:53,189 --> 00:07:53,699: blended 966 00:07:53,699 --> 00:07:54,930: seamlessly 967 00:07:54,930 --> 00:07:55,259: into 968 00:07:55,259 --> 00:07:57,360: wakefulness.
The 969 00:07:57,360 --> 00:07:57,930: dream 970 00:07:57,930 --> 00:07:58,470: clung 971 00:07:58,470 --> 00:07:58,649: to 972 00:07:58,649 --> 00:07:59,250: Soot 973 00:07:59,250 --> 00:07:59,490: like 974 00:07:59,490 --> 00:07:59,610: the 975 00:07:59,610 --> 00:08:00,180: whispers 976 00:08:00,180 --> 00:08:00,300: of 977 00:08:00,300 --> 00:08:00,959: spiderwebs 978 00:08:00,959 --> 00:08:01,350: caught in 979 00:08:01,350 --> 00:08:02,370: fur, 980 00:08:02,370 --> 00:08:02,639: little 981 00:08:02,639 --> 00:08:03,029: streaks 982 00:08:03,029 --> 00:08:03,149: of 983 00:08:03,149 --> 00:08:03,930: memory 984 00:08:03,930 --> 00:08:04,079: that 985 00:08:04,079 --> 00:08:04,230: would 986 00:08:04,230 --> 00:08:04,620: tickle 987 00:08:04,620 --> 00:08:04,709: a 988 00:08:04,709 --> 00:08:05,220: whisker 989 00:08:05,220 --> 00:08:06,120: here, 990 00:08:06,120 --> 00:08:06,300: the 991 00:08:06,300 --> 00:08:06,810: rounded 992 00:08:06,810 --> 00:08:06,990: rim 993 00:08:06,990 --> 00:08:07,139: of 994 00:08:07,139 --> 00:08:07,290: an 995 00:08:07,290 --> 00:08:07,620: ear 996 00:08:07,620 --> 00:08:09,180: there. 997 00:08:09,180 --> 00:08:09,600: Days 998 00:08:09,600 --> 00:08:09,870: like 999 00:08:09,870 --> 00:08:10,769: these, 1000 00:08:10,769 --> 00:08:11,069: more 1001 00:08:11,069 --> 00:08:11,279: than 1002 00:08:11,279 --> 00:08:12,089: most, 1003 00:08:12,089 --> 00:08:12,240: the 1004 00:08:12,240 --> 00:08:13,199: long-healed 1005 00:08:13,199 --> 00:08:13,920: scar 1006 00:08:13,920 --> 00:08:14,100: of 1007 00:08:14,100 --> 00:08:14,250: their 1008 00:08:14,250 --> 00:08:15,149: reconstructed 1009 00:08:15,149 --> 00:08:15,930: muzzle 1010 00:08:15,930 --> 00:08:16,290: would 1011 00:08:16,290 --> 00:08:17,069: itch 1012 00:08:17,069 --> 00:08:17,279: and 1013 00:08:17,279 --> 00:08:17,339: the 1014 00:08:17,339 --> 00:08:18,089: lisp 1015 00:08:18,089 --> 00:08:18,329: that 1016 00:08:18,329 --> 00:08:18,660: came 1017 00:08:18,660 --> 00:08:18,870: with 1018 00:08:18,870 --> 00:08:19,589: it — 1019 00:08:19,589 --> 00:08:19,920: one 1020 00:08:19,920 --> 00:08:20,129: they 1021 00:08:20,129 --> 00:08:20,490: bore 1022 00:08:20,490 --> 00:08:21,660: proudly — 1023 00:08:21,660 --> 00:08:21,870: would 1024 00:08:21,870 --> 00:08:22,079: be 1025 00:08:22,079 --> 00:08:22,439: all 1026 00:08:22,439 --> 00:08:22,560: the 1027 00:08:22,560 --> 00:08:23,040: more 1028 00:08:23,040 --> 00:08:25,350: pronounced.
They 1029 00:08:25,350 --> 00:08:25,500: would 1030 00:08:25,500 --> 00:08:25,740: make 1031 00:08:25,740 --> 00:08:25,889: their 1032 00:08:25,889 --> 00:08:26,161: way 1033 00:08:26,161 --> 00:08:26,339: through 1034 00:08:26,339 --> 00:08:26,430: the 1035 00:08:26,430 --> 00:08:26,910: day 1036 00:08:26,910 --> 00:08:27,089: with 1037 00:08:27,089 --> 00:08:27,329: all 1038 00:08:27,329 --> 00:08:27,420: the 1039 00:08:27,420 --> 00:08:27,720: same 1040 00:08:27,720 --> 00:08:28,379: practiced 1041 00:08:28,379 --> 00:08:28,769: ease 1042 00:08:28,769 --> 00:08:28,980: as 1043 00:08:28,980 --> 00:08:29,939: ever, 1044 00:08:29,939 --> 00:08:30,120: and 1045 00:08:30,120 --> 00:08:30,300: yet 1046 00:08:30,300 --> 00:08:30,600: just 1047 00:08:30,600 --> 00:08:30,870: below 1048 00:08:30,870 --> 00:08:30,990: the 1049 00:08:30,990 --> 00:08:31,829: surface, 1050 00:08:31,829 --> 00:08:32,639: simmering 1051 00:08:32,639 --> 00:08:33,779: uncomfortably, 1052 00:08:33,779 --> 00:08:33,929: would 1053 00:08:33,929 --> 00:08:34,049: be 1054 00:08:34,049 --> 00:08:34,169: the 1055 00:08:34,169 --> 00:08:35,789: dream. 1056 00:08:35,789 --> 00:08:36,840: There, 1057 00:08:36,840 --> 00:08:37,320: just 1058 00:08:37,320 --> 00:08:37,710: beneath 1059 00:08:37,710 --> 00:08:37,830: their 1060 00:08:37,830 --> 00:08:38,940: skin, 1061 00:08:38,940 --> 00:08:39,299: would 1062 00:08:39,299 --> 00:08:40,860: be–
“Captain 1063 00:08:40,860 --> 00:08:42,120: on deck,” 1064 00:08:42,120 --> 00:08:42,360: the 1065 00:08:42,360 --> 00:08:42,929: automated 1066 00:08:42,929 --> 00:08:43,470: system 1067 00:08:43,470 --> 00:08:44,009: announced 1068 00:08:44,009 --> 00:08:44,220: as 1069 00:08:44,220 --> 00:08:44,580: soon 1070 00:08:44,580 --> 00:08:44,730: as 1071 00:08:44,730 --> 00:08:44,879: their 1072 00:08:44,879 --> 00:08:45,269: ID 1073 00:08:45,269 --> 00:08:45,480: was 1074 00:08:45,480 --> 00:08:46,860: recognized. 1075 00:08:46,860 --> 00:08:47,009: The 1076 00:08:47,009 --> 00:08:47,497: faint 1077 00:08:47,497 --> 00:08:47,940: chime 1078 00:08:47,940 --> 00:08:48,149: that 1079 00:08:48,149 --> 00:08:49,139: followed, 1080 00:08:49,139 --> 00:08:49,860: doubtless 1081 00:08:49,860 --> 00:08:50,490: engineered 1082 00:08:50,490 --> 00:08:50,580: to 1083 00:08:50,580 --> 00:08:50,970: sound 1084 00:08:50,970 --> 00:08:51,870: soothing 1085 00:08:51,870 --> 00:08:52,019: and 1086 00:08:52,019 --> 00:08:53,100: reassuring, 1087 00:08:53,100 --> 00:08:53,669: always 1088 00:08:53,669 --> 00:08:54,299: sounded 1089 00:08:54,299 --> 00:08:55,740: inquisitive, 1090 00:08:55,740 --> 00:08:55,950: as 1091 00:08:55,950 --> 00:08:56,190: though 1092 00:08:56,190 --> 00:08:56,279: the 1093 00:08:56,279 --> 00:08:56,879: station 1094 00:08:56,879 --> 00:08:57,120: was 1095 00:08:57,120 --> 00:08:57,659: curious 1096 00:08:57,659 --> 00:08:57,750: to 1097 00:08:57,750 --> 00:08:58,110: hear 1098 00:08:58,110 --> 00:08:58,320: their 1099 00:08:58,320 --> 00:08:58,740: thoughts 1100 00:08:58,740 --> 00:08:58,860: on 1101 00:08:58,860 --> 00:08:59,039: the 1102 00:08:59,039 --> 00:09:01,019: matter.
“Yes, 1103 00:09:01,019 --> 00:09:01,740: yes,” 1104 00:09:01,740 --> 00:09:01,950: they 1105 00:09:01,950 --> 00:09:02,279: muttered 1106 00:09:02,279 --> 00:09:02,429: under 1107 00:09:02,429 --> 00:09:02,549: their 1108 00:09:02,549 --> 00:09:03,299: breath, 1109 00:09:03,299 --> 00:09:03,539: though 1110 00:09:03,539 --> 00:09:03,750: with 1111 00:09:03,750 --> 00:09:03,870: their 1112 00:09:03,870 --> 00:09:04,529: lisp, 1113 00:09:04,529 --> 00:09:04,769: with 1114 00:09:04,769 --> 00:09:04,889: the 1115 00:09:04,889 --> 00:09:05,340: dream 1116 00:09:05,340 --> 00:09:05,669: still 1117 00:09:05,669 --> 00:09:06,059: dogging 1118 00:09:06,059 --> 00:09:06,629: them, 1119 00:09:06,629 --> 00:09:06,779: it 1120 00:09:06,779 --> 00:09:07,139: came 1121 00:09:07,139 --> 00:09:07,320: out 1122 00:09:07,320 --> 00:09:07,379: a 1123 00:09:07,379 --> 00:09:08,250: breathy 1124 00:09:08,250 --> 00:09:10,830: yeth, yeth. “I’m 1125 00:09:10,830 --> 00:09:11,100: here 1126 00:09:11,100 --> 00:09:13,649: now.”
The 1127 00:09:13,649 --> 00:09:14,190: seats 1128 00:09:14,190 --> 00:09:14,309: in 1129 00:09:14,309 --> 00:09:14,399: the 1130 00:09:14,399 --> 00:09:15,149: board room 1131 00:09:15,149 --> 00:09:15,450: were, 1132 00:09:15,450 --> 00:09:16,620: thankfully, 1133 00:09:16,620 --> 00:09:16,919: all 1134 00:09:16,919 --> 00:09:17,220: full 1135 00:09:17,220 --> 00:09:18,120: already — 1136 00:09:18,120 --> 00:09:18,570: or 1137 00:09:18,570 --> 00:09:18,990: had 1138 00:09:18,990 --> 00:09:19,409: been, 1139 00:09:19,409 --> 00:09:19,590: as 1140 00:09:19,590 --> 00:09:19,679: the 1141 00:09:19,679 --> 00:09:19,919: rest 1142 00:09:19,919 --> 00:09:19,980: of 1143 00:09:19,980 --> 00:09:20,070: the 1144 00:09:20,070 --> 00:09:20,549: command 1145 00:09:20,549 --> 00:09:20,940: staff 1146 00:09:20,940 --> 00:09:21,333: rose 1147 00:09:21,333 --> 00:09:21,480: to their 1148 00:09:21,480 --> 00:09:22,620: feet. 1149 00:09:22,620 --> 00:09:23,129: Soot 1150 00:09:23,129 --> 00:09:23,431: waved 1151 00:09:23,431 --> 00:09:23,580: them 1152 00:09:23,580 --> 00:09:23,789: off 1153 00:09:23,789 --> 00:09:26,580: with a smile. “Sit, sit. Sorry I’m 1154 00:09:26,580 --> 00:09:27,539: late. 1155 00:09:27,539 --> 00:09:27,870: Couldn’t 1156 00:09:27,870 --> 00:09:28,289: decide 1157 00:09:28,289 --> 00:09:28,559: between 1158 00:09:28,559 --> 00:09:28,649: the 1159 00:09:28,649 --> 00:09:29,070: five 1160 00:09:29,070 --> 00:09:29,669: identical 1161 00:09:29,669 --> 00:09:30,269: outfits 1162 00:09:30,269 --> 00:09:30,450: they 1163 00:09:30,450 --> 00:09:30,840: give 1164 00:09:30,840 --> 00:09:31,559: me,” 1165 00:09:31,559 --> 00:09:31,740: they 1166 00:09:31,740 --> 00:09:32,100: said 1167 00:09:32,100 --> 00:09:33,269: breezily. 1168 00:09:33,269 --> 00:09:33,480: They 1169 00:09:33,480 --> 00:09:33,720: let 1170 00:09:33,720 --> 00:09:33,870: their 1171 00:09:33,870 --> 00:09:34,649: expression 1172 00:09:34,649 --> 00:09:35,129: warm 1173 00:09:35,129 --> 00:09:35,429: into 1174 00:09:35,429 --> 00:09:35,490: a 1175 00:09:35,490 --> 00:09:36,120: lopsided 1176 00:09:36,120 --> 00:09:37,200: smile — 1177 00:09:37,200 --> 00:09:37,860: though 1178 00:09:37,860 --> 00:09:38,220: all 1179 00:09:38,220 --> 00:09:38,639: smiles 1180 00:09:38,639 --> 00:09:38,730: are 1181 00:09:38,730 --> 00:09:39,363: lopsided 1182 00:09:39,363 --> 00:09:39,629: when 1183 00:09:39,629 --> 00:09:40,139: only 1184 00:09:40,139 --> 00:09:40,649: half 1185 00:09:40,649 --> 00:09:40,740: of 1186 00:09:40,740 --> 00:09:40,889: your 1187 00:09:40,889 --> 00:09:41,370: snout 1188 00:09:41,370 --> 00:09:43,559: works. “That, 1189 00:09:43,559 --> 00:09:43,769: or 1190 00:09:43,769 --> 00:09:44,100: you’re 1191 00:09:44,100 --> 00:09:44,460: all 1192 00:09:44,460 --> 00:09:44,970: here 1193 00:09:44,970 --> 00:09:45,509: early 1194 00:09:45,509 --> 00:09:45,870: because 1195 00:09:45,870 --> 00:09:45,990: it’s 1196 00:09:45,990 --> 00:09:46,320: Dr. 1197 00:09:46,320 --> 00:09:46,710: R’s 1198 00:09:46,710 --> 00:09:46,964: last 1199 00:09:46,964 --> 00:09:47,429: shift 1200 00:09:47,429 --> 00:09:47,519: on 1201 00:09:47,519 --> 00:09:47,700: this 1202 00:09:47,700 --> 00:09:49,200: rotation. 1203 00:09:49,200 --> 00:09:50,460: Congratulations, 1204 00:09:50,460 --> 00:09:50,639: my 1205 00:09:50,639 --> 00:09:50,879: dear 1206 00:09:50,879 --> 00:09:53,039: friend.”
Applause 1207 00:09:53,039 --> 00:09:53,159: around 1208 00:09:53,159 --> 00:09:53,250: the 1209 00:09:53,250 --> 00:09:53,940: room. 1210 00:09:53,940 --> 00:09:54,360: Earnest 1211 00:09:54,360 --> 00:09:54,840: applause, 1212 00:09:54,840 --> 00:09:55,889: too, Soot 1213 00:09:55,889 --> 00:09:56,100: was 1214 00:09:56,100 --> 00:09:56,370: pleased 1215 00:09:56,370 --> 00:09:56,460: to 1216 00:09:56,460 --> 00:09:57,779: notice. 1217 00:09:57,779 --> 00:09:58,230: Dr. 1218 00:09:58,230 --> 00:09:58,559: R’s 1219 00:09:58,559 --> 00:09:59,429: reputation 1220 00:09:59,429 --> 00:09:59,610: as 1221 00:09:59,610 --> 00:09:59,730: one 1222 00:09:59,730 --> 00:09:59,820: of 1223 00:09:59,820 --> 00:09:59,970: the 1224 00:09:59,970 --> 00:10:00,720: kindest, 1225 00:10:00,720 --> 00:10:01,169: most 1226 00:10:01,169 --> 00:10:01,860: competent 1227 00:10:01,860 --> 00:10:02,639: CMOs 1228 00:10:02,639 --> 00:10:02,730: in 1229 00:10:02,730 --> 00:10:02,820: the 1230 00:10:02,820 --> 00:10:03,539: sector 1231 00:10:03,539 --> 00:10:03,779: was 1232 00:10:03,779 --> 00:10:05,279: well-earned. 1233 00:10:05,279 --> 00:10:05,549: The 1234 00:10:05,549 --> 00:10:05,940: old 1235 00:10:05,940 --> 00:10:06,299: man 1236 00:10:06,299 --> 00:10:06,570: was 1237 00:10:06,570 --> 00:10:07,379: positively 1238 00:10:07,379 --> 00:10:08,460: beaming, 1239 00:10:08,460 --> 00:10:08,610: the 1240 00:10:08,610 --> 00:10:09,120: wrinkles 1241 00:10:09,120 --> 00:10:09,299: on 1242 00:10:09,299 --> 00:10:09,509: his 1243 00:10:09,509 --> 00:10:09,960: face 1244 00:10:09,960 --> 00:10:10,409: showing 1245 00:10:10,409 --> 00:10:10,710: how 1246 00:10:10,710 --> 00:10:11,580: truly, 1247 00:10:11,580 --> 00:10:12,240: deeply 1248 00:10:12,240 --> 00:10:12,539: he 1249 00:10:12,539 --> 00:10:13,904: inhabited all his 1250 00:10:13,904 --> 00:10:15,914: smiles.
There 1251 00:10:15,914 --> 00:10:16,065: were 1252 00:10:16,065 --> 00:10:16,485: short 1253 00:10:16,485 --> 00:10:17,205: speeches 1254 00:10:17,205 --> 00:10:17,445: from 1255 00:10:17,445 --> 00:10:17,804: all of 1256 00:10:17,804 --> 00:10:17,894: the 1257 00:10:17,894 --> 00:10:18,225: rest 1258 00:10:18,225 --> 00:10:18,315: of 1259 00:10:18,315 --> 00:10:19,335: command, 1260 00:10:19,335 --> 00:10:19,664: all 1261 00:10:19,664 --> 00:10:20,985: veterans. 1262 00:10:20,985 --> 00:10:21,134: The 1263 00:10:21,134 --> 00:10:21,375: head 1264 00:10:21,375 --> 00:10:21,465: of 1265 00:10:21,465 --> 00:10:22,004: security 1266 00:10:22,004 --> 00:10:22,634: praised 1267 00:10:22,634 --> 00:10:22,875: his 1268 00:10:22,875 --> 00:10:23,985: efficiency 1269 00:10:23,985 --> 00:10:24,195: in 1270 00:10:24,195 --> 00:10:24,524: getting 1271 00:10:24,524 --> 00:10:24,644: the 1272 00:10:24,644 --> 00:10:24,975: crew 1273 00:10:24,975 --> 00:10:25,304: back 1274 00:10:25,304 --> 00:10:25,485: up 1275 00:10:25,485 --> 00:10:25,605: and 1276 00:10:25,605 --> 00:10:25,904: moving 1277 00:10:25,904 --> 00:10:26,054: when 1278 00:10:26,054 --> 00:10:26,174: they 1279 00:10:26,174 --> 00:10:26,325: were 1280 00:10:26,325 --> 00:10:27,615: injured. 1281 00:10:27,615 --> 00:10:27,735: The 1282 00:10:27,735 --> 00:10:28,095: chief 1283 00:10:28,095 --> 00:10:28,664: justice 1284 00:10:28,664 --> 00:10:29,235: praised 1285 00:10:29,235 --> 00:10:29,445: his 1286 00:10:29,445 --> 00:10:29,924: commitment 1287 00:10:29,924 --> 00:10:30,044: to 1288 00:10:30,044 --> 00:10:30,554: treating 1289 00:10:30,554 --> 00:10:31,394: everyone, 1290 00:10:31,394 --> 00:10:31,695: not 1291 00:10:31,695 --> 00:10:32,085: just 1292 00:10:32,085 --> 00:10:32,684: the ‘good 1293 00:10:32,684 --> 00:10:33,195: ones’ 1294 00:10:33,195 --> 00:10:33,375: on 1295 00:10:33,375 --> 00:10:34,725: board. 1296 00:10:34,725 --> 00:10:34,875: The 1297 00:10:34,875 --> 00:10:35,445: logistics 1298 00:10:35,445 --> 00:10:36,014: officer 1299 00:10:36,014 --> 00:10:36,615: jokingly 1300 00:10:36,615 --> 00:10:37,004: grumbled 1301 00:10:37,004 --> 00:10:37,304: about just 1302 00:10:37,304 --> 00:10:37,695: how 1303 00:10:37,695 --> 00:10:38,054: much 1304 00:10:38,054 --> 00:10:38,144: of 1305 00:10:38,144 --> 00:10:38,205: a 1306 00:10:38,205 --> 00:10:38,774: stickler 1307 00:10:38,774 --> 00:10:39,014: he 1308 00:10:39,014 --> 00:10:39,375: was 1309 00:10:39,375 --> 00:10:39,495: about 1310 00:10:39,495 --> 00:10:40,034: turning 1311 00:10:40,034 --> 00:10:40,274: on 1312 00:10:40,274 --> 00:10:40,631: suit 1313 00:10:40,631 --> 00:10:41,684: coordinates, 1314 00:10:41,684 --> 00:10:41,985: which 1315 00:10:41,985 --> 00:10:42,284: so 1316 00:10:42,284 --> 00:10:42,705: often 1317 00:10:42,705 --> 00:10:43,575: degraded 1318 00:10:43,575 --> 00:10:43,934: during 1319 00:10:43,934 --> 00:10:46,424: cryosleep.
When 1320 00:10:46,424 --> 00:10:47,085: attention 1321 00:10:47,085 --> 00:10:47,595: finally 1322 00:10:47,595 --> 00:10:48,014: turned 1323 00:10:48,014 --> 00:10:48,195: to 1324 00:10:48,195 --> 00:10:48,975: Soot, 1325 00:10:48,975 --> 00:10:49,215: they 1326 00:10:49,215 --> 00:10:49,965: smiled 1327 00:10:49,965 --> 00:10:50,085: and 1328 00:10:50,085 --> 00:10:51,014: stood, 1329 00:10:51,014 --> 00:10:51,524: paws 1330 00:10:51,524 --> 00:10:52,004: clasped 1331 00:10:52,004 --> 00:10:52,424: behind 1332 00:10:52,424 --> 00:10:52,575: their 1333 00:10:52,575 --> 00:10:55,934: back. “I’ve known 1334 00:10:55,934 --> 00:10:56,384: Dr. 1335 00:10:56,384 --> 00:10:56,865: R 1336 00:10:56,865 --> 00:10:57,524: since I 1337 00:10:57,524 --> 00:10:57,764: was 1338 00:10:57,764 --> 00:10:58,575: a child, 1339 00:10:58,575 --> 00:10:59,115: and 1340 00:10:59,115 --> 00:10:59,565: must 1341 00:10:59,565 --> 00:11:00,134: say 1342 00:11:00,134 --> 00:11:00,404: that 1343 00:11:00,404 --> 00:11:00,825: there 1344 00:11:00,825 --> 00:11:01,004: are 1345 00:11:01,004 --> 00:11:01,695: few 1346 00:11:01,695 --> 00:11:01,995: who 1347 00:11:01,995 --> 00:11:02,205: are 1348 00:11:02,205 --> 00:11:02,504: as 1349 00:11:02,504 --> 00:11:03,075: cool 1350 00:11:03,075 --> 00:11:03,375: under 1351 00:11:03,375 --> 00:11:04,424: pressure 1352 00:11:04,424 --> 00:11:04,784: as 1353 00:11:04,784 --> 00:11:05,174: he 1354 00:11:05,174 --> 00:11:06,554: is. 1355 00:11:06,554 --> 00:11:06,705: I 1356 00:11:06,705 --> 00:11:07,125: certainly 1357 00:11:07,125 --> 00:11:07,365: do 1358 00:11:07,365 --> 00:11:07,695: my 1359 00:11:07,695 --> 00:11:08,355: best, 1360 00:11:08,355 --> 00:11:11,924: but…well.”
Chuckles 1361 00:11:11,924 --> 00:11:12,225: around 1362 00:11:12,225 --> 00:11:12,315: the 1363 00:11:12,315 --> 00:11:13,544: table. 1364 00:11:13,544 --> 00:11:14,356: Soot 1365 00:11:14,356 --> 00:11:14,715: knew 1366 00:11:14,715 --> 00:11:14,924: they 1367 00:11:14,924 --> 00:11:15,225: had 1368 00:11:15,225 --> 00:11:15,254: a 1369 00:11:15,254 --> 00:11:15,404: bit 1370 00:11:15,404 --> 00:11:15,495: of 1371 00:11:15,495 --> 00:11:15,524: a 1372 00:11:15,524 --> 00:11:17,865: temper.
“I 1373 00:11:17,865 --> 00:11:18,075: will 1374 00:11:18,075 --> 00:11:18,345: not 1375 00:11:18,345 --> 00:11:19,485: say ‘thank you for 1376 00:11:19,485 --> 00:11:20,205: your service 1377 00:11:20,205 --> 00:11:21,764: to Nanotrasen’ 1378 00:11:21,764 --> 00:11:21,945: or 1379 00:11:21,945 --> 00:11:22,424: anything 1380 00:11:22,424 --> 00:11:22,784: so 1381 00:11:22,784 --> 00:11:23,565: crassly 1382 00:11:23,565 --> 00:11:25,514: capitalist, 1383 00:11:25,514 --> 00:11:25,695: but 1384 00:11:25,695 --> 00:11:25,845: I 1385 00:11:25,845 --> 00:11:26,174: will 1386 00:11:26,174 --> 00:11:26,534: say 1387 00:11:26,534 --> 00:11:26,865: thank 1388 00:11:26,865 --> 00:11:26,955: you 1389 00:11:26,955 --> 00:11:27,164: for 1390 00:11:27,164 --> 00:11:27,284: your 1391 00:11:27,284 --> 00:11:28,034: service 1392 00:11:28,034 --> 00:11:28,485: to 1393 00:11:28,485 --> 00:11:29,985: us. 1394 00:11:29,985 --> 00:11:30,225: We 1395 00:11:30,225 --> 00:11:30,524: wouldn’t 1396 00:11:30,524 --> 00:11:30,794: be 1397 00:11:30,794 --> 00:11:31,245: quite 1398 00:11:31,245 --> 00:11:31,424: as 1399 00:11:31,424 --> 00:11:31,904: whole 1400 00:11:31,904 --> 00:11:32,054: as 1401 00:11:32,054 --> 00:11:32,294: we 1402 00:11:32,294 --> 00:11:32,625: are 1403 00:11:32,625 --> 00:11:33,164: without 1404 00:11:33,164 --> 00:11:34,455: you.” 1405 00:11:34,455 --> 00:11:34,725: They 1406 00:11:34,725 --> 00:11:35,115: leaned 1407 00:11:35,115 --> 00:11:35,835: forward 1408 00:11:35,835 --> 00:11:36,075: and 1409 00:11:36,075 --> 00:11:36,585: offered 1410 00:11:36,585 --> 00:11:36,644: a 1411 00:11:36,644 --> 00:11:37,154: paw 1412 00:11:37,154 --> 00:11:37,394: to 1413 00:11:37,394 --> 00:11:37,479: the 1414 00:11:37,479 --> 00:11:37,784: old 1415 00:11:37,784 --> 00:11:38,445: CMO 1416 00:11:38,445 --> 00:11:38,595: to 1417 00:11:38,595 --> 00:11:41,054: shake. “Earnestly, 1418 00:11:41,054 --> 00:11:41,414: thank 1419 00:11:41,414 --> 00:11:41,565: you, 1420 00:11:41,565 --> 00:11:42,945: Doctor. 1421 00:11:42,945 --> 00:11:43,455: Congrats 1422 00:11:43,455 --> 00:11:43,605: on 1423 00:11:43,605 --> 00:11:43,904: being 1424 00:11:43,904 --> 00:11:44,174: kicked 1425 00:11:44,174 --> 00:11:44,325: up 1426 00:11:44,325 --> 00:11:44,414: the 1427 00:11:44,414 --> 00:11:44,774: ladder 1428 00:11:44,774 --> 00:11:44,955: to 1429 00:11:44,955 --> 00:11:47,654: Central.”
More 1430 00:11:47,654 --> 00:11:48,975: applause. 1431 00:11:48,975 --> 00:11:49,215: An 1432 00:11:49,215 --> 00:11:49,634: extra 1433 00:11:49,634 --> 00:11:49,934: few 1434 00:11:49,934 --> 00:11:50,445: boxes 1435 00:11:50,445 --> 00:11:50,565: of 1436 00:11:50,565 --> 00:11:50,985: donuts 1437 00:11:50,985 --> 00:11:51,134: were 1438 00:11:51,134 --> 00:11:51,404: set 1439 00:11:51,404 --> 00:11:51,884: out, 1440 00:11:51,884 --> 00:11:52,154: as 1441 00:11:52,154 --> 00:11:52,365: well 1442 00:11:52,365 --> 00:11:52,514: as 1443 00:11:52,514 --> 00:11:52,605: an 1444 00:11:52,605 --> 00:11:52,965: extra 1445 00:11:52,965 --> 00:11:53,445: carafe 1446 00:11:53,445 --> 00:11:53,595: of 1447 00:11:53,595 --> 00:11:54,075: coffee 1448 00:11:54,075 --> 00:11:54,254: for 1449 00:11:54,254 --> 00:11:55,125: some 1450 00:11:55,125 --> 00:11:55,304: and 1451 00:11:55,304 --> 00:11:55,845: sparkling 1452 00:11:55,845 --> 00:11:56,144: juice 1453 00:11:56,144 --> 00:11:56,355: for 1454 00:11:56,355 --> 00:11:57,615: others — 1455 00:11:57,615 --> 00:11:57,794: it 1456 00:11:57,794 --> 00:11:58,004: would 1457 00:11:58,004 --> 00:11:58,424: probably 1458 00:11:58,424 --> 00:11:58,695: not 1459 00:11:58,695 --> 00:11:58,875: be 1460 00:11:58,875 --> 00:11:58,934: a 1461 00:11:58,934 --> 00:11:59,384: great 1462 00:11:59,384 --> 00:11:59,684: start 1463 00:11:59,684 --> 00:11:59,745: to 1464 00:11:59,745 --> 00:11:59,835: the 1465 00:11:59,835 --> 00:12:00,404: shift 1466 00:12:00,404 --> 00:12:00,585: if 1467 00:12:00,585 --> 00:12:01,154: half 1468 00:12:01,154 --> 00:12:01,274: of 1469 00:12:01,274 --> 00:12:01,815: command 1470 00:12:01,815 --> 00:12:02,115: was 1471 00:12:02,115 --> 00:12:02,504: sick 1472 00:12:02,504 --> 00:12:02,774: from 1473 00:12:02,774 --> 00:12:03,315: caffeine 1474 00:12:03,315 --> 00:12:05,238: poisoning.
After 1475 00:12:05,238 --> 00:12:05,294: a 1476 00:12:05,294 --> 00:12:05,654: few 1477 00:12:05,654 --> 00:12:05,924: more 1478 00:12:05,924 --> 00:12:06,345: minutes 1479 00:12:06,345 --> 00:12:06,615: of 1480 00:12:06,615 --> 00:12:07,274: amiable 1481 00:12:07,274 --> 00:12:08,264: chatter 1482 00:12:08,264 --> 00:12:08,504: and 1483 00:12:08,504 --> 00:12:08,745: yet 1484 00:12:08,745 --> 00:12:09,134: more 1485 00:12:09,134 --> 00:12:10,274: handshakes, 1486 00:12:10,274 --> 00:12:10,784: Soot 1487 00:12:10,784 --> 00:12:11,235: called 1488 00:12:11,235 --> 00:12:11,325: the 1489 00:12:11,325 --> 00:12:11,684: rest 1490 00:12:11,684 --> 00:12:11,745: of 1491 00:12:11,745 --> 00:12:11,835: the 1492 00:12:11,835 --> 00:12:12,195: meeting 1493 00:12:12,195 --> 00:12:12,345: to 1494 00:12:12,345 --> 00:12:13,575: order. 1495 00:12:13,575 --> 00:12:13,695: It 1496 00:12:13,695 --> 00:12:13,815: was 1497 00:12:13,815 --> 00:12:14,294: simply 1498 00:12:14,294 --> 00:12:14,355: a 1499 00:12:14,355 --> 00:12:14,924: sharing 1500 00:12:14,924 --> 00:12:15,044: of 1501 00:12:15,044 --> 00:12:15,524: tasks 1502 00:12:15,524 --> 00:12:15,705: for 1503 00:12:15,705 --> 00:12:15,794: the 1504 00:12:15,794 --> 00:12:16,754: day, 1505 00:12:16,754 --> 00:12:16,845: a 1506 00:12:16,845 --> 00:12:17,504: report 1507 00:12:17,504 --> 00:12:17,684: on 1508 00:12:17,684 --> 00:12:17,804: the 1509 00:12:17,804 --> 00:12:18,554: status 1510 00:12:18,554 --> 00:12:18,705: of 1511 00:12:18,705 --> 00:12:18,794: the 1512 00:12:18,794 --> 00:12:19,424: station 1513 00:12:19,424 --> 00:12:19,725: as 1514 00:12:19,725 --> 00:12:19,995: left 1515 00:12:19,995 --> 00:12:20,085: by 1516 00:12:20,085 --> 00:12:20,205: the 1517 00:12:20,205 --> 00:12:20,684: previous 1518 00:12:20,684 --> 00:12:21,914: shift (new 1519 00:12:21,914 --> 00:12:22,365: windows 1520 00:12:22,365 --> 00:12:22,875: outside 1521 00:12:22,875 --> 00:12:23,445: evac 1522 00:12:23,445 --> 00:12:24,134: indicating 1523 00:12:24,134 --> 00:12:24,195: a 1524 00:12:24,195 --> 00:12:24,615: meteor 1525 00:12:24,615 --> 00:12:25,575: strike, 1526 00:12:25,575 --> 00:12:26,085: grime 1527 00:12:26,085 --> 00:12:27,195: and wrappers 1528 00:12:27,195 --> 00:12:28,365: everywhere 1529 00:12:28,365 --> 00:12:29,024: indicating 1530 00:12:29,024 --> 00:12:29,085: a 1531 00:12:29,085 --> 00:12:29,384: lack 1532 00:12:29,384 --> 00:12:29,504: of 1533 00:12:29,504 --> 00:12:30,404: a janitor, 1534 00:12:30,404 --> 00:12:30,615: and 1535 00:12:30,615 --> 00:12:30,945: so 1536 00:12:30,945 --> 00:12:32,625: on).
They 1537 00:12:32,625 --> 00:12:33,164: always 1538 00:12:33,164 --> 00:12:33,524: kept 1539 00:12:33,524 --> 00:12:33,975: such 1540 00:12:33,975 --> 00:12:35,054: brief. 1541 00:12:35,054 --> 00:12:35,264: There 1542 00:12:35,264 --> 00:12:35,475: was 1543 00:12:35,475 --> 00:12:35,774: little 1544 00:12:35,774 --> 00:12:36,134: need 1545 00:12:36,134 --> 00:12:36,315: for 1546 00:12:36,315 --> 00:12:36,615: more 1547 00:12:36,615 --> 00:12:37,575: bureaucracy, 1548 00:12:37,575 --> 00:12:37,784: when 1549 00:12:37,784 --> 00:12:38,085: many 1550 00:12:38,085 --> 00:12:38,144: of 1551 00:12:38,144 --> 00:12:38,294: them 1552 00:12:38,294 --> 00:12:38,414: would 1553 00:12:38,414 --> 00:12:38,745: also 1554 00:12:38,745 --> 00:12:38,894: be 1555 00:12:38,894 --> 00:12:39,164: dealing 1556 00:12:39,164 --> 00:12:39,465: with 1557 00:12:39,465 --> 00:12:40,154: paperwork 1558 00:12:40,154 --> 00:12:40,485: throughout 1559 00:12:40,485 --> 00:12:40,575: the 1560 00:12:40,575 --> 00:12:41,715: day. 1561 00:12:41,715 --> 00:12:42,134: Only 1562 00:12:42,134 --> 00:12:42,195: a 1563 00:12:42,195 --> 00:12:42,495: few 1564 00:12:42,495 --> 00:12:42,644: of 1565 00:12:42,644 --> 00:12:42,884: them 1566 00:12:42,884 --> 00:12:43,274: found 1567 00:12:43,274 --> 00:12:43,725: such 1568 00:12:43,725 --> 00:12:45,855: enjoyable.
It 1569 00:12:45,855 --> 00:12:46,034: was 1570 00:12:46,034 --> 00:12:46,245: all 1571 00:12:46,245 --> 00:12:46,575: part 1572 00:12:46,575 --> 00:12:46,664: of 1573 00:12:46,664 --> 00:12:46,904: their 1574 00:12:46,904 --> 00:12:48,075: ethos, 1575 00:12:48,075 --> 00:12:48,284: when 1576 00:12:48,284 --> 00:12:48,465: they 1577 00:12:48,465 --> 00:12:48,764: worked 1578 00:12:48,764 --> 00:12:48,884: a 1579 00:12:48,884 --> 00:12:49,365: command 1580 00:12:49,365 --> 00:12:49,634: role 1581 00:12:49,634 --> 00:12:49,934: such 1582 00:12:49,934 --> 00:12:50,115: as 1583 00:12:50,115 --> 00:12:51,105: this. 1584 00:12:51,105 --> 00:12:51,345: They 1585 00:12:51,345 --> 00:12:51,555: were 1586 00:12:51,555 --> 00:12:51,615: a 1587 00:12:51,615 --> 00:12:52,095: leader 1588 00:12:52,095 --> 00:12:52,184: in 1589 00:12:52,184 --> 00:12:52,455: many 1590 00:12:52,455 --> 00:12:52,904: ways, 1591 00:12:52,904 --> 00:12:53,715: yes, 1592 00:12:53,715 --> 00:12:54,014: but 1593 00:12:54,014 --> 00:12:54,254: they 1594 00:12:54,254 --> 00:12:54,495: were 1595 00:12:54,495 --> 00:12:54,975: most 1596 00:12:54,975 --> 00:12:55,065: of 1597 00:12:55,065 --> 00:12:55,365: all 1598 00:12:55,365 --> 00:12:55,424: a 1599 00:12:55,424 --> 00:12:56,835: support. 1600 00:12:56,835 --> 00:12:57,075: They 1601 00:12:57,075 --> 00:12:57,254: were 1602 00:12:57,254 --> 00:12:57,375: an 1603 00:12:57,375 --> 00:12:57,735: older 1604 00:12:57,735 --> 00:12:58,184: sibling 1605 00:12:58,184 --> 00:12:58,304: to 1606 00:12:58,304 --> 00:12:58,424: the 1607 00:12:58,424 --> 00:12:58,875: whole 1608 00:12:58,875 --> 00:12:58,995: of 1609 00:12:58,995 --> 00:12:59,085: the 1610 00:12:59,085 --> 00:13:00,105: crew. 1611 00:13:00,105 --> 00:13:00,345: One 1612 00:13:00,345 --> 00:13:00,465: of 1613 00:13:00,465 --> 00:13:00,585: the 1614 00:13:00,585 --> 00:13:01,095: kind 1615 00:13:01,095 --> 00:13:02,115: ones. 1616 00:13:02,115 --> 00:13:02,475: One 1617 00:13:02,475 --> 00:13:02,684: who 1618 00:13:02,684 --> 00:13:03,044: might 1619 00:13:03,044 --> 00:13:03,764: offer 1620 00:13:03,764 --> 00:13:04,725: corrections 1621 00:13:04,725 --> 00:13:04,934: or 1622 00:13:04,934 --> 00:13:05,414: gentle 1623 00:13:05,414 --> 00:13:05,865: ribbing, 1624 00:13:05,865 --> 00:13:06,735: yes, 1625 00:13:06,735 --> 00:13:06,914: but 1626 00:13:06,914 --> 00:13:07,215: one 1627 00:13:07,215 --> 00:13:07,394: who 1628 00:13:07,394 --> 00:13:07,754: wanted 1629 00:13:07,754 --> 00:13:08,235: nothing 1630 00:13:08,235 --> 00:13:08,745: more 1631 00:13:08,745 --> 00:13:09,014: than 1632 00:13:09,014 --> 00:13:09,134: to 1633 00:13:09,134 --> 00:13:09,524: see 1634 00:13:09,524 --> 00:13:09,764: them 1635 00:13:09,764 --> 00:13:11,414: succeed. 1636 00:13:11,414 --> 00:13:11,985: Soot 1637 00:13:11,985 --> 00:13:12,254: was 1638 00:13:12,254 --> 00:13:12,674: one 1639 00:13:12,674 --> 00:13:12,884: who 1640 00:13:12,884 --> 00:13:13,304: helped 1641 00:13:13,304 --> 00:13:13,725: buoy 1642 00:13:13,725 --> 00:13:14,715: them up, 1643 00:13:14,715 --> 00:13:15,345: helping 1644 00:13:15,345 --> 00:13:15,914: engi 1645 00:13:15,914 --> 00:13:16,184: with 1646 00:13:16,184 --> 00:13:16,274: the 1647 00:13:16,274 --> 00:13:17,205: thermo-electric 1648 00:13:17,205 --> 00:13:17,894: generator 1649 00:13:17,894 --> 00:13:18,644: here, 1650 00:13:18,644 --> 00:13:19,095: helping 1651 00:13:19,095 --> 00:13:19,514: med 1652 00:13:19,514 --> 00:13:19,784: with 1653 00:13:19,784 --> 00:13:20,294: chems 1654 00:13:20,294 --> 00:13:22,304: there.
Of 1655 00:13:22,304 --> 00:13:22,664: all 1656 00:13:22,664 --> 00:13:22,754: the 1657 00:13:22,754 --> 00:13:23,504: departments, 1658 00:13:23,504 --> 00:13:24,404: though, 1659 00:13:24,404 --> 00:13:24,825: they 1660 00:13:24,825 --> 00:13:25,394: paid the 1661 00:13:25,394 --> 00:13:25,875: most 1662 00:13:25,875 --> 00:13:26,325: attention 1663 00:13:26,325 --> 00:13:26,595: to 1664 00:13:26,595 --> 00:13:27,975: epistemics, 1665 00:13:27,975 --> 00:13:28,095: the 1666 00:13:28,095 --> 00:13:28,664: department 1667 00:13:28,664 --> 00:13:28,815: that 1668 00:13:28,815 --> 00:13:29,264: tracked 1669 00:13:29,264 --> 00:13:29,475: the 1670 00:13:29,475 --> 00:13:30,404: intersection 1671 00:13:30,404 --> 00:13:30,554: of 1672 00:13:30,554 --> 00:13:31,304: anomalous 1673 00:13:31,304 --> 00:13:31,815: events 1674 00:13:31,815 --> 00:13:32,054: with 1675 00:13:32,054 --> 00:13:32,355: this 1676 00:13:32,355 --> 00:13:33,254: world, 1677 00:13:33,254 --> 00:13:33,434: the 1678 00:13:33,434 --> 00:13:33,705: one 1679 00:13:33,705 --> 00:13:33,825: in 1680 00:13:33,825 --> 00:13:34,095: which 1681 00:13:34,095 --> 00:13:34,274: they 1682 00:13:34,274 --> 00:13:35,774: inhabited. 1683 00:13:35,774 --> 00:13:36,254: Trauma 1684 00:13:36,254 --> 00:13:36,615: will 1685 00:13:36,615 --> 00:13:37,004: ever 1686 00:13:37,004 --> 00:13:37,514: do 1687 00:13:37,514 --> 00:13:37,875: as 1688 00:13:37,875 --> 00:13:37,995: it 1689 00:13:37,995 --> 00:13:38,804: does, 1690 00:13:38,804 --> 00:13:38,985: and 1691 00:13:38,985 --> 00:13:39,105: they 1692 00:13:39,105 --> 00:13:39,345: had 1693 00:13:39,345 --> 00:13:39,705: no 1694 00:13:39,705 --> 00:13:40,304: desire 1695 00:13:40,304 --> 00:13:40,575: to 1696 00:13:40,575 --> 00:13:40,845: ever 1697 00:13:40,845 --> 00:13:41,205: let 1698 00:13:41,205 --> 00:13:41,565: happen 1699 00:13:41,565 --> 00:13:42,524: again 1700 00:13:42,524 --> 00:13:42,764: what 1701 00:13:42,764 --> 00:13:42,945: had 1702 00:13:42,945 --> 00:13:43,485: had happened 1703 00:13:43,485 --> 00:13:43,605: to 1704 00:13:43,605 --> 00:13:43,995: them 1705 00:13:43,995 --> 00:13:44,414: so 1706 00:13:44,414 --> 00:13:44,715: long 1707 00:13:44,715 --> 00:13:46,184: ago. 1708 00:13:46,184 --> 00:13:46,485: The 1709 00:13:46,485 --> 00:13:47,054: accident 1710 00:13:47,054 --> 00:13:47,294: that 1711 00:13:47,294 --> 00:13:47,715: tore 1712 00:13:47,715 --> 00:13:47,865: at 1713 00:13:47,865 --> 00:13:48,014: their 1714 00:13:48,014 --> 00:13:48,855: face 1715 00:13:48,855 --> 00:13:49,065: and 1716 00:13:49,065 --> 00:13:49,455: tore 1717 00:13:49,455 --> 00:13:49,545: at 1718 00:13:49,545 --> 00:13:49,723: their 1719 00:13:49,723 --> 00:13:51,075: identity, 1720 00:13:51,075 --> 00:13:51,615: leaving 1721 00:13:51,615 --> 00:13:52,095: them 1722 00:13:52,095 --> 00:13:52,485: ever 1723 00:13:52,485 --> 00:13:53,715: in two, 1724 00:13:53,715 --> 00:13:54,225: ever 1725 00:13:54,225 --> 00:13:54,465: as 1726 00:13:54,465 --> 00:13:55,095: Soot 1727 00:13:55,095 --> 00:13:55,394: and 1728 00:13:55,394 --> 00:13:56,174: Abby, 1729 00:13:56,174 --> 00:13:57,105: command 1730 00:13:57,105 --> 00:13:57,375: and 1731 00:13:57,375 --> 00:13:58,485: kid. 1732 00:13:58,485 --> 00:13:58,845: They’d 1733 00:13:58,845 --> 00:13:59,684: credit it 1734 00:13:59,684 --> 00:13:59,985: with 1735 00:13:59,985 --> 00:14:00,284: being 1736 00:14:00,284 --> 00:14:00,404: the 1737 00:14:00,404 --> 00:14:01,034: driving 1738 00:14:01,034 --> 00:14:01,904: motivation 1739 00:14:01,904 --> 00:14:02,144: for 1740 00:14:02,144 --> 00:14:02,475: who 1741 00:14:02,475 --> 00:14:02,684: they 1742 00:14:02,684 --> 00:14:03,105: were 1743 00:14:03,105 --> 00:14:03,404: as 1744 00:14:03,404 --> 00:14:04,215: Soot, 1745 00:14:04,215 --> 00:14:04,424: and 1746 00:14:04,424 --> 00:14:04,575: at 1747 00:14:04,575 --> 00:14:04,634: the 1748 00:14:04,634 --> 00:14:05,054: same 1749 00:14:05,054 --> 00:14:05,865: time, 1750 00:14:05,865 --> 00:14:06,044: they 1751 00:14:06,044 --> 00:14:06,225: would 1752 00:14:06,225 --> 00:14:06,674: credit 1753 00:14:06,674 --> 00:14:06,855: it 1754 00:14:06,855 --> 00:14:07,274: just 1755 00:14:07,274 --> 00:14:07,424: as 1756 00:14:07,424 --> 00:14:07,875: much 1757 00:14:07,875 --> 00:14:08,024: for 1758 00:14:08,024 --> 00:14:08,144: the 1759 00:14:08,144 --> 00:14:09,134: childish 1760 00:14:09,134 --> 00:14:10,304: immaturity 1761 00:14:10,304 --> 00:14:10,485: that 1762 00:14:10,485 --> 00:14:11,144: remained 1763 00:14:11,144 --> 00:14:11,325: in 1764 00:14:11,325 --> 00:14:11,534: their 1765 00:14:11,534 --> 00:14:11,774: other 1766 00:14:11,774 --> 00:14:13,934: self.
Not 1767 00:14:13,934 --> 00:14:14,024: that 1768 00:14:14,024 --> 00:14:14,144: they 1769 00:14:14,144 --> 00:14:14,384: did 1770 00:14:14,384 --> 00:14:14,894: not 1771 00:14:14,894 --> 00:14:15,375: also 1772 00:14:15,375 --> 00:14:15,705: love 1773 00:14:15,705 --> 00:14:16,784: Abby. 1774 00:14:16,784 --> 00:14:16,934: It 1775 00:14:16,934 --> 00:14:17,144: was 1776 00:14:17,144 --> 00:14:17,504: just 1777 00:14:17,504 --> 00:14:17,715: that 1778 00:14:17,715 --> 00:14:18,705: now, 1779 00:14:18,705 --> 00:14:19,004: they 1780 00:14:19,004 --> 00:14:19,245: were 1781 00:14:19,245 --> 00:14:20,144: Soot. 1782 00:14:20,144 --> 00:14:20,955: Soot 1783 00:14:20,955 --> 00:14:21,225: had 1784 00:14:21,225 --> 00:14:21,465: work 1785 00:14:21,465 --> 00:14:21,585: to 1786 00:14:21,585 --> 00:14:22,245: do. 1787 00:14:22,245 --> 00:14:22,904: Soot 1788 00:14:22,904 --> 00:14:23,174: was 1789 00:14:23,174 --> 00:14:23,235: the 1790 00:14:23,235 --> 00:14:23,504: one 1791 00:14:23,504 --> 00:14:23,625: who 1792 00:14:23,625 --> 00:14:23,804: got 1793 00:14:23,804 --> 00:14:24,345: a job 1794 00:14:24,345 --> 00:14:24,524: at 1795 00:14:24,524 --> 00:14:26,865: Nanotrasen, had studied 1796 00:14:26,865 --> 00:14:27,674: hard 1797 00:14:27,674 --> 00:14:27,945: and 1798 00:14:27,945 --> 00:14:28,544: passed 1799 00:14:28,544 --> 00:14:28,815: all 1800 00:14:28,815 --> 00:14:28,965: the 1801 00:14:28,965 --> 00:14:30,345: qualifications, 1802 00:14:30,345 --> 00:14:30,735: had 1803 00:14:30,735 --> 00:14:31,184: wormed 1804 00:14:31,184 --> 00:14:31,455: their 1805 00:14:31,455 --> 00:14:31,995: way 1806 00:14:31,995 --> 00:14:32,445: into 1807 00:14:32,445 --> 00:14:32,565: the 1808 00:14:32,565 --> 00:14:32,985: ranks 1809 00:14:32,985 --> 00:14:33,105: of 1810 00:14:33,105 --> 00:14:34,394: command. 1811 00:14:34,394 --> 00:14:34,904: Soot 1812 00:14:34,904 --> 00:14:35,115: was 1813 00:14:35,115 --> 00:14:35,205: the 1814 00:14:35,205 --> 00:14:35,475: one 1815 00:14:35,475 --> 00:14:35,625: who 1816 00:14:35,625 --> 00:14:35,745: had 1817 00:14:35,745 --> 00:14:36,164: taken 1818 00:14:36,164 --> 00:14:36,345: that 1819 00:14:36,345 --> 00:14:37,095: childhood 1820 00:14:37,095 --> 00:14:37,634: nickname 1821 00:14:37,634 --> 00:14:37,784: their 1822 00:14:37,784 --> 00:14:38,235: father 1823 00:14:38,235 --> 00:14:38,475: had 1824 00:14:38,475 --> 00:14:38,835: given 1825 00:14:38,835 --> 00:14:39,554: them, 1826 00:14:39,554 --> 00:14:39,884: pinned 1827 00:14:39,884 --> 00:14:40,034: their 1828 00:14:40,034 --> 00:14:40,725: father’s 1829 00:14:40,725 --> 00:14:41,475: courage 1830 00:14:41,475 --> 00:14:41,715: and 1831 00:14:41,715 --> 00:14:42,375: calmness 1832 00:14:42,375 --> 00:14:42,554: to 1833 00:14:42,554 --> 00:14:43,154: it, 1834 00:14:43,154 --> 00:14:43,394: and 1835 00:14:43,394 --> 00:14:44,085: adopted 1836 00:14:44,085 --> 00:14:44,355: it 1837 00:14:44,355 --> 00:14:44,595: as 1838 00:14:44,595 --> 00:14:44,774: their 1839 00:14:44,774 --> 00:14:46,485: own.
Abby 1840 00:14:46,485 --> 00:14:46,934: had her 1841 00:14:46,934 --> 00:14:47,235: own 1842 00:14:47,235 --> 00:14:47,445: work 1843 00:14:47,445 --> 00:14:47,565: to 1844 00:14:47,565 --> 00:14:48,404: do, 1845 00:14:48,404 --> 00:14:48,585: and 1846 00:14:48,585 --> 00:14:48,825: that 1847 00:14:48,825 --> 00:14:49,095: was 1848 00:14:49,095 --> 00:14:49,544: work 1849 00:14:49,544 --> 00:14:49,815: of 1850 00:14:49,815 --> 00:14:50,774: comfort 1851 00:14:50,774 --> 00:14:50,985: and 1852 00:14:50,985 --> 00:14:54,044: processing.
Thankfully, 1853 00:14:54,044 --> 00:14:55,184: today, 1854 00:14:55,184 --> 00:14:55,845: epistemics 1855 00:14:55,845 --> 00:14:56,054: was 1856 00:14:56,054 --> 00:14:57,225: well-staffed, 1857 00:14:57,225 --> 00:14:57,404: and 1858 00:14:57,404 --> 00:14:57,495: by 1859 00:14:57,495 --> 00:14:57,794: some 1860 00:14:57,794 --> 00:14:58,274: very 1861 00:14:58,274 --> 00:14:58,664: bright 1862 00:14:58,664 --> 00:14:59,294: researchers 1863 00:14:59,294 --> 00:14:59,475: at 1864 00:14:59,475 --> 00:15:01,034: that. 1865 00:15:01,034 --> 00:15:01,304: Of 1866 00:15:01,304 --> 00:15:01,965: note, 1867 00:15:01,965 --> 00:15:02,115: the 1868 00:15:02,115 --> 00:15:03,014: mystagogue 1869 00:15:03,014 --> 00:15:03,284: was 1870 00:15:03,284 --> 00:15:03,796: someone 1871 00:15:03,796 --> 00:15:04,212: Soot 1872 00:15:04,212 --> 00:15:04,875: trusted 1873 00:15:04,875 --> 00:15:05,054: would 1874 00:15:05,054 --> 00:15:05,955: be 1875 00:15:05,955 --> 00:15:06,585: nearly 1876 00:15:06,585 --> 00:15:06,825: as 1877 00:15:06,825 --> 00:15:07,514: paranoid 1878 00:15:07,514 --> 00:15:07,754: about 1879 00:15:07,754 --> 00:15:08,534: glimmer 1880 00:15:08,534 --> 00:15:08,835: as 1881 00:15:08,835 --> 00:15:09,075: they 1882 00:15:09,075 --> 00:15:10,845: were.
They 1883 00:15:10,845 --> 00:15:11,174: shook 1884 00:15:11,174 --> 00:15:11,325: their 1885 00:15:11,325 --> 00:15:11,715: head 1886 00:15:11,715 --> 00:15:11,865: to 1887 00:15:11,865 --> 00:15:12,195: clear 1888 00:15:12,195 --> 00:15:12,434: away 1889 00:15:12,434 --> 00:15:12,585: the 1890 00:15:12,585 --> 00:15:13,695: cobwebs 1891 00:15:13,695 --> 00:15:13,934: and 1892 00:15:13,934 --> 00:15:14,595: lingering 1893 00:15:14,595 --> 00:15:15,195: threads 1894 00:15:15,195 --> 00:15:15,375: of 1895 00:15:15,375 --> 00:15:15,705: last 1896 00:15:15,705 --> 00:15:16,125: night’s 1897 00:15:16,125 --> 00:15:16,965: dream 1898 00:15:16,965 --> 00:15:17,115: and 1899 00:15:17,115 --> 00:15:17,654: instead 1900 00:15:17,654 --> 00:15:18,284: smiled 1901 00:15:18,284 --> 00:15:18,404: to 1902 00:15:18,404 --> 00:15:18,524: the 1903 00:15:18,524 --> 00:15:19,424: vulp 1904 00:15:19,424 --> 00:15:20,024: looking 1905 00:15:20,024 --> 00:15:20,595: eagerly 1906 00:15:20,595 --> 00:15:21,075: for 1907 00:15:21,075 --> 00:15:22,154: approval, 1908 00:15:22,154 --> 00:15:22,245: a 1909 00:15:22,245 --> 00:15:22,695: young 1910 00:15:22,695 --> 00:15:23,235: critter 1911 00:15:23,235 --> 00:15:23,684: looking 1912 00:15:23,684 --> 00:15:24,195: quite 1913 00:15:24,195 --> 00:15:24,825: proud 1914 00:15:24,825 --> 00:15:25,004: of 1915 00:15:25,004 --> 00:15:25,125: their 1916 00:15:25,125 --> 00:15:26,085: TEG 1917 00:15:26,085 --> 00:15:28,125: setup.
“Best 1918 00:15:28,125 --> 00:15:28,424: burn 1919 00:15:28,424 --> 00:15:28,634: I’ve 1920 00:15:28,634 --> 00:15:28,904: seen 1921 00:15:28,904 --> 00:15:28,995: in 1922 00:15:28,995 --> 00:15:29,054: a 1923 00:15:29,054 --> 00:15:29,445: while, 1924 00:15:29,445 --> 00:15:30,284: actually,” 1925 00:15:30,284 --> 00:15:30,465: they 1926 00:15:30,465 --> 00:15:31,154: said, 1927 00:15:31,154 --> 00:15:31,784: spending 1928 00:15:31,784 --> 00:15:31,845: a 1929 00:15:31,845 --> 00:15:32,384: moment 1930 00:15:32,384 --> 00:15:33,075: cherishing 1931 00:15:33,075 --> 00:15:33,195: the 1932 00:15:33,195 --> 00:15:33,585: look 1933 00:15:33,585 --> 00:15:33,735: of 1934 00:15:33,735 --> 00:15:34,544: elation 1935 00:15:34,544 --> 00:15:34,754: that 1936 00:15:34,754 --> 00:15:34,995: came 1937 00:15:34,995 --> 00:15:35,445: across 1938 00:15:35,445 --> 00:15:35,534: the 1939 00:15:35,534 --> 00:15:35,924: tech’s 1940 00:15:35,924 --> 00:15:37,784: face.
“Thanks, 1941 00:15:37,784 --> 00:15:38,264: cap!” 1942 00:15:38,264 --> 00:15:38,475: they 1943 00:15:38,475 --> 00:15:38,774: said 1944 00:15:38,774 --> 00:15:39,524: brightly, 1945 00:15:39,524 --> 00:15:40,004: bouncing 1946 00:15:40,004 --> 00:15:40,095: on 1947 00:15:40,095 --> 00:15:40,184: their 1948 00:15:40,184 --> 00:15:41,054: toes — 1949 00:15:41,054 --> 00:15:41,264: at 1950 00:15:41,264 --> 00:15:41,504: least 1951 00:15:41,504 --> 00:15:41,625: as 1952 00:15:41,625 --> 00:15:41,894: best 1953 00:15:41,894 --> 00:15:41,985: as 1954 00:15:41,985 --> 00:15:42,254: one 1955 00:15:42,254 --> 00:15:42,735: could 1956 00:15:42,735 --> 00:15:42,914: in 1957 00:15:42,914 --> 00:15:43,065: an 1958 00:15:43,065 --> 00:15:43,605: atmos 1959 00:15:43,605 --> 00:15:45,495: hardsuit. “Should 1960 00:15:45,495 --> 00:15:45,735: keep 1961 00:15:45,735 --> 00:15:45,884: us 1962 00:15:45,884 --> 00:15:46,095: going 1963 00:15:46,095 --> 00:15:46,215: through 1964 00:15:46,215 --> 00:15:46,304: the 1965 00:15:46,304 --> 00:15:46,544: whole 1966 00:15:46,544 --> 00:15:48,524: shift.”
“The 1967 00:15:48,524 --> 00:15:49,095: volumetric 1968 00:15:49,095 --> 00:15:49,424: pump 1969 00:15:49,424 --> 00:15:49,575: is 1970 00:15:49,575 --> 00:15:50,715: at…?”
“Five 1971 00:15:50,715 --> 00:15:50,985: liters 1972 00:15:50,985 --> 00:15:51,134: per 1973 00:15:51,134 --> 00:15:52,485: second.”
“Is 1974 00:15:52,485 --> 00:15:52,605: that 1975 00:15:52,605 --> 00:15:52,664: the 1976 00:15:52,664 --> 00:15:52,995: lowest 1977 00:15:52,995 --> 00:15:53,054: you 1978 00:15:53,054 --> 00:15:53,235: could 1979 00:15:53,235 --> 00:15:53,355: get it 1980 00:15:53,355 --> 00:15:53,625: without 1981 00:15:53,625 --> 00:15:53,684: the 1982 00:15:53,684 --> 00:15:53,924: pump 1983 00:15:53,924 --> 00:15:54,284: backing 1984 00:15:54,284 --> 00:15:55,154: up?”
Their 1985 00:15:55,154 --> 00:15:55,725: expression 1986 00:15:55,725 --> 00:15:55,995: fell 1987 00:15:55,995 --> 00:15:58,455: slightly. “Yeah. 1988 00:15:58,455 --> 00:15:58,634: But 1989 00:15:58,634 --> 00:15:58,754: I 1990 00:15:58,754 --> 00:15:58,904: did 1991 00:15:58,904 --> 00:15:58,995: the 1992 00:15:58,995 --> 00:15:59,384: math, 1993 00:15:59,384 --> 00:15:59,565: and 1994 00:15:59,565 --> 00:15:59,684: it’ll 1995 00:15:59,684 --> 00:15:59,985: still 1996 00:15:59,985 --> 00:16:00,404: last 1997 00:16:00,404 --> 00:16:01,904: us.”
Soot 1998 00:16:01,904 --> 00:16:02,384: smiled 1999 00:16:02,384 --> 00:16:03,861: reassuringly. “Then 2000 00:16:03,861 --> 00:16:04,095: that’s 2001 00:16:04,095 --> 00:16:04,245: all 2002 00:16:04,245 --> 00:16:04,335: I 2003 00:16:04,335 --> 00:16:04,605: care 2004 00:16:04,605 --> 00:16:05,144: about, 2005 00:16:05,144 --> 00:16:05,325: if 2006 00:16:05,325 --> 00:16:05,475: you’re 2007 00:16:05,475 --> 00:16:05,654: not 2008 00:16:05,654 --> 00:16:06,254: worried,” 2009 00:16:06,254 --> 00:16:06,404: they 2010 00:16:06,404 --> 00:16:06,884: said, 2011 00:16:06,884 --> 00:16:07,304: resting 2012 00:16:07,304 --> 00:16:07,335: a 2013 00:16:07,335 --> 00:16:07,695: paw 2014 00:16:07,695 --> 00:16:07,811: on 2015 00:16:07,811 --> 00:16:07,867: the 2016 00:16:07,867 --> 00:16:08,085: vulp’s 2017 00:16:08,085 --> 00:16:09,465: shoulder. “Just 2018 00:16:09,465 --> 00:16:09,644: make 2019 00:16:09,644 --> 00:16:09,825: sure 2020 00:16:09,825 --> 00:16:09,975: you’re 2021 00:16:09,975 --> 00:16:10,184: not 2022 00:16:10,184 --> 00:16:10,725: overfilling 2023 00:16:10,725 --> 00:16:10,815: the 2024 00:16:10,815 --> 00:16:11,355: hot-loop 2025 00:16:11,355 --> 00:16:11,625: next 2026 00:16:11,625 --> 00:16:12,014: time, 2027 00:16:12,014 --> 00:16:12,134: and 2028 00:16:12,134 --> 00:16:12,284: you’ll 2029 00:16:12,284 --> 00:16:12,495: have 2030 00:16:12,495 --> 00:16:12,644: your 2031 00:16:12,644 --> 00:16:13,095: senior 2032 00:16:13,095 --> 00:16:13,455: engi 2033 00:16:13,455 --> 00:16:14,235: certification 2034 00:16:14,235 --> 00:16:14,445: on 2035 00:16:14,445 --> 00:16:14,534: the 2036 00:16:14,534 --> 00:16:16,184: spot.”
They 2037 00:16:16,184 --> 00:16:16,514: laughed 2038 00:16:16,514 --> 00:16:17,985: and nodded. “Want 2039 00:16:17,985 --> 00:16:19,335: me to pull any plasma out 2040 00:16:19,335 --> 00:16:19,394: of 2041 00:16:19,394 --> 00:16:19,485: the 2042 00:16:19,485 --> 00:16:19,725: hot 2043 00:16:19,725 --> 00:16:20,865: loop?”
They 2044 00:16:20,865 --> 00:16:21,105: shook 2045 00:16:21,105 --> 00:16:21,225: their 2046 00:16:21,225 --> 00:16:22,605: head. “Like 2047 00:16:22,605 --> 00:16:22,695: I 2048 00:16:22,695 --> 00:16:23,085: said, 2049 00:16:23,085 --> 00:16:23,294: I’m 2050 00:16:23,294 --> 00:16:23,475: not 2051 00:16:23,475 --> 00:16:23,745: worried 2052 00:16:23,745 --> 00:16:23,865: if 2053 00:16:23,865 --> 00:16:24,014: you 2054 00:16:24,014 --> 00:16:25,394: aren’t.”
They 2055 00:16:25,394 --> 00:16:26,235: nodded 2056 00:16:26,235 --> 00:16:26,384: and, 2057 00:16:26,384 --> 00:16:26,684: hearing 2058 00:16:26,684 --> 00:16:26,774: the 2059 00:16:26,774 --> 00:16:27,075: call 2060 00:16:27,075 --> 00:16:27,254: for 2061 00:16:27,254 --> 00:16:27,884: help 2062 00:16:27,884 --> 00:16:28,034: in 2063 00:16:28,034 --> 00:16:28,394: putting 2064 00:16:28,394 --> 00:16:28,575: the 2065 00:16:28,575 --> 00:16:29,205: anti-matter 2066 00:16:29,205 --> 00:16:29,534: engine 2067 00:16:29,534 --> 00:16:29,654: to 2068 00:16:29,654 --> 00:16:29,955: sleep for 2069 00:16:29,955 --> 00:16:30,075: the 2070 00:16:30,075 --> 00:16:30,315: time 2071 00:16:30,315 --> 00:16:30,975: being, 2072 00:16:30,975 --> 00:16:31,485: dashed 2073 00:16:31,485 --> 00:16:31,934: deeper 2074 00:16:31,934 --> 00:16:32,115: into 2075 00:16:32,115 --> 00:16:32,174: the 2076 00:16:32,174 --> 00:16:33,554: department. 2077 00:16:33,554 --> 00:16:33,825: The 2078 00:16:33,825 --> 00:16:34,365: AME 2079 00:16:34,365 --> 00:16:34,605: made 2080 00:16:34,605 --> 00:16:34,664: a 2081 00:16:34,664 --> 00:16:34,934: good 2082 00:16:34,934 --> 00:16:35,325: initial 2083 00:16:35,325 --> 00:16:35,684: source 2084 00:16:35,684 --> 00:16:35,774: of 2085 00:16:35,774 --> 00:16:36,345: energy 2086 00:16:36,345 --> 00:16:36,434: and 2087 00:16:36,434 --> 00:16:36,465: a 2088 00:16:36,465 --> 00:16:36,914: necessary 2089 00:16:36,914 --> 00:16:37,875: backup, 2090 00:16:37,875 --> 00:16:37,995: but 2091 00:16:37,995 --> 00:16:38,235: was 2092 00:16:38,235 --> 00:16:38,445: too 2093 00:16:38,445 --> 00:16:39,134: expensive, 2094 00:16:39,134 --> 00:16:40,034: fuel-wise, 2095 00:16:40,034 --> 00:16:40,184: to 2096 00:16:40,184 --> 00:16:40,455: run 2097 00:16:40,455 --> 00:16:40,544: the 2098 00:16:40,544 --> 00:16:40,754: whole 2099 00:16:40,754 --> 00:16:41,745: shift. 2100 00:16:41,745 --> 00:16:42,164: Before 2101 00:16:42,164 --> 00:16:42,975: long, 2102 00:16:42,975 --> 00:16:43,095: the 2103 00:16:43,095 --> 00:16:44,235: thud…! 2104 00:16:44,235 --> 00:16:45,134: thud…! 2105 00:16:45,134 --> 00:16:45,254: of 2106 00:16:45,254 --> 00:16:45,434: the 2107 00:16:45,434 --> 00:16:46,215: AME 2108 00:16:46,215 --> 00:16:46,965: drifted 2109 00:16:46,965 --> 00:16:47,144: to 2110 00:16:47,144 --> 00:16:48,855: silence.
“Cap, 2111 00:16:48,855 --> 00:16:49,034: can 2112 00:16:49,034 --> 00:16:49,154: you 2113 00:16:49,154 --> 00:16:49,394: come 2114 00:16:49,394 --> 00:16:49,544: to 2115 00:16:49,544 --> 00:16:50,294: epi?” 2116 00:16:50,294 --> 00:16:50,414: the 2117 00:16:50,414 --> 00:16:51,075: mystagogue 2118 00:16:51,075 --> 00:16:51,945: whispered through 2119 00:16:51,945 --> 00:16:52,335: command 2120 00:16:52,335 --> 00:16:53,595: comms. “It’s 2121 00:16:53,595 --> 00:16:53,804: not 2122 00:16:53,804 --> 00:16:54,254: super 2123 00:16:54,254 --> 00:16:54,764: urgent, 2124 00:16:54,764 --> 00:16:56,325: but…”
They 2125 00:16:56,325 --> 00:16:56,924: frowned 2126 00:16:56,924 --> 00:16:57,105: and 2127 00:16:57,105 --> 00:16:57,583: toggled 2128 00:16:57,583 --> 00:16:57,674: to 2129 00:16:57,674 --> 00:16:58,154: command 2130 00:16:58,154 --> 00:16:58,304: on 2131 00:16:58,304 --> 00:16:58,485: their 2132 00:16:58,485 --> 00:16:58,725: own 2133 00:16:58,725 --> 00:16:59,054: mic 2134 00:16:59,054 --> 00:16:59,174: and 2135 00:16:59,174 --> 00:17:00,975: murmured, “Heard,” 2136 00:17:00,975 --> 00:17:01,095: in 2137 00:17:01,095 --> 00:17:01,875: return 2138 00:17:01,875 --> 00:17:02,235: before 2139 00:17:02,235 --> 00:17:02,745: smiling 2140 00:17:02,745 --> 00:17:03,044: once 2141 00:17:03,044 --> 00:17:03,345: more 2142 00:17:03,345 --> 00:17:03,404: to 2143 00:17:03,404 --> 00:17:03,495: the 2144 00:17:03,495 --> 00:17:03,705: rest 2145 00:17:03,705 --> 00:17:03,764: of 2146 00:17:03,764 --> 00:17:03,855: the 2147 00:17:03,855 --> 00:17:04,305: engineering 2148 00:17:04,305 --> 00:17:05,144: team 2149 00:17:05,144 --> 00:17:05,325: and 2150 00:17:05,325 --> 00:17:05,714: walking 2151 00:17:05,714 --> 00:17:06,734: station-north 2152 00:17:06,734 --> 00:17:06,884: to 2153 00:17:06,884 --> 00:17:08,805: epistemics.
As 2154 00:17:08,805 --> 00:17:08,984: they 2155 00:17:08,984 --> 00:17:09,704: walked, 2156 00:17:09,704 --> 00:17:09,914: they 2157 00:17:09,914 --> 00:17:10,305: pulled 2158 00:17:10,305 --> 00:17:10,515: out 2159 00:17:10,515 --> 00:17:10,664: their 2160 00:17:10,664 --> 00:17:11,625: PDA 2161 00:17:11,625 --> 00:17:11,805: and 2162 00:17:11,805 --> 00:17:12,134: tapped 2163 00:17:12,134 --> 00:17:12,315: to 2164 00:17:12,315 --> 00:17:12,644: open 2165 00:17:12,644 --> 00:17:18,105: the glimmer monitor.
389Ψ.
They stopped 2166 00:17:18,105 --> 00:17:18,974: walking 2167 00:17:18,974 --> 00:17:19,095: and 2168 00:17:19,095 --> 00:17:19,424: started 2169 00:17:19,424 --> 00:17:20,984: jogging. 2170 00:17:20,984 --> 00:17:21,255: They 2171 00:17:21,255 --> 00:17:21,605: worked 2172 00:17:21,605 --> 00:17:21,734: to 2173 00:17:21,734 --> 00:17:21,944: keep 2174 00:17:21,944 --> 00:17:22,065: their 2175 00:17:22,065 --> 00:17:22,515: expression 2176 00:17:22,515 --> 00:17:23,204: level, 2177 00:17:23,204 --> 00:17:23,505: doing 2178 00:17:23,505 --> 00:17:23,654: their 2179 00:17:23,654 --> 00:17:23,984: best 2180 00:17:23,984 --> 00:17:24,105: to 2181 00:17:24,105 --> 00:17:24,345: look 2182 00:17:24,345 --> 00:17:24,765: merely 2183 00:17:24,765 --> 00:17:25,305: busy 2184 00:17:25,305 --> 00:17:25,454: and 2185 00:17:25,454 --> 00:17:25,845: not 2186 00:17:25,845 --> 00:17:27,015: panicked. 2187 00:17:27,015 --> 00:17:27,404: After 2188 00:17:27,404 --> 00:17:27,674: all, 2189 00:17:27,674 --> 00:17:27,914: seeing 2190 00:17:27,914 --> 00:17:27,974: a 2191 00:17:27,974 --> 00:17:28,335: captain 2192 00:17:28,335 --> 00:17:28,515: run 2193 00:17:28,515 --> 00:17:28,600: through 2194 00:17:28,600 --> 00:17:28,694: the 2195 00:17:28,694 --> 00:17:29,204: halls 2196 00:17:29,204 --> 00:17:30,105: wasn’t 2197 00:17:30,105 --> 00:17:33,045: uncommon…
“Status,” 2198 00:17:33,045 --> 00:17:33,194: they 2199 00:17:33,194 --> 00:17:33,464: said 2200 00:17:33,464 --> 00:17:34,244: briskly, 2201 00:17:34,244 --> 00:17:34,664: bowing 2202 00:17:34,664 --> 00:17:34,755: to 2203 00:17:34,755 --> 00:17:34,845: the 2204 00:17:34,845 --> 00:17:35,984: mystagogue, 2205 00:17:35,984 --> 00:17:36,105: a 2206 00:17:36,105 --> 00:17:36,765: frightfully 2207 00:17:36,765 --> 00:17:37,335: competent 2208 00:17:37,335 --> 00:17:37,664: young 2209 00:17:37,664 --> 00:17:38,234: human 2210 00:17:38,234 --> 00:17:38,625: named 2211 00:17:38,625 --> 00:17:41,535: Cleo.
“Prober’s 2212 00:17:41,535 --> 00:17:41,984: off,” 2213 00:17:41,984 --> 00:17:42,194: she 2214 00:17:42,194 --> 00:17:42,434: said 2215 00:17:42,434 --> 00:17:43,755: breathlessly. “Found 2216 00:17:43,755 --> 00:17:43,785: a 2217 00:17:43,785 --> 00:17:44,204: mite 2218 00:17:44,204 --> 00:17:44,625: wedged in 2219 00:17:44,625 --> 00:17:45,075: behind 2220 00:17:45,075 --> 00:17:45,434: it. 2221 00:17:45,434 --> 00:17:45,644: I 2222 00:17:45,644 --> 00:17:46,065: hate 2223 00:17:46,065 --> 00:17:46,275: that 2224 00:17:46,275 --> 00:17:47,984: sound.”
They 2225 00:17:47,984 --> 00:17:49,335: grimaced. “So 2226 00:17:49,335 --> 00:17:49,484: do 2227 00:17:49,484 --> 00:17:50,174: I. 2228 00:17:50,174 --> 00:17:50,325: Did 2229 00:17:50,325 --> 00:17:50,414: you 2230 00:17:50,414 --> 00:17:50,805: grind 2231 00:17:50,805 --> 00:17:51,765: it?”
She 2232 00:17:51,765 --> 00:17:52,214: immediately 2233 00:17:52,214 --> 00:17:52,635: brightened 2234 00:17:52,635 --> 00:17:52,724: and 2235 00:17:52,724 --> 00:17:53,894: nodded. “Oh, 2236 00:17:53,894 --> 00:17:54,164: yeah, 2237 00:17:54,164 --> 00:17:54,315: of 2238 00:17:54,315 --> 00:17:55,125: course! 2239 00:17:55,125 --> 00:17:55,335: I’ll 2240 00:17:55,335 --> 00:17:55,575: never 2241 00:17:55,575 --> 00:17:55,724: turn 2242 00:17:55,724 --> 00:17:55,904: down 2243 00:17:55,904 --> 00:17:56,115: free 2244 00:17:56,115 --> 00:17:57,134: ectoplasm. 2245 00:17:57,134 --> 00:17:57,315: Did 2246 00:17:57,315 --> 00:17:57,494: you 2247 00:17:57,494 --> 00:17:58,785: know–”
“Cleo,” 2248 00:17:58,785 --> 00:17:58,964: they 2249 00:17:58,964 --> 00:17:59,474: said, 2250 00:17:59,474 --> 00:17:59,894: smiling 2251 00:17:59,894 --> 00:18:00,884: faintly. 2252 00:18:00,884 --> 00:18:01,125: They 2253 00:18:01,125 --> 00:18:01,575: knew 2254 00:18:01,575 --> 00:18:01,964: well 2255 00:18:01,964 --> 00:18:02,144: the 2256 00:18:02,144 --> 00:18:02,414: urge 2257 00:18:02,414 --> 00:18:02,595: to 2258 00:18:02,595 --> 00:18:03,404: infodump, 2259 00:18:03,404 --> 00:18:03,555: and 2260 00:18:03,555 --> 00:18:03,615: it 2261 00:18:03,615 --> 00:18:03,765: took 2262 00:18:03,765 --> 00:18:03,825: a 2263 00:18:03,825 --> 00:18:04,125: certain 2264 00:18:04,125 --> 00:18:04,424: type 2265 00:18:04,424 --> 00:18:04,515: of 2266 00:18:04,515 --> 00:18:04,785: mind 2267 00:18:04,785 --> 00:18:04,964: to 2268 00:18:04,964 --> 00:18:05,414: want 2269 00:18:05,414 --> 00:18:05,625: to 2270 00:18:05,625 --> 00:18:05,835: be 2271 00:18:05,835 --> 00:18:09,585: a mystagogue. “Glimmer?”
“Oh. Right. 2272 00:18:09,585 --> 00:18:11,115: Uh…yeah! 2273 00:18:11,115 --> 00:18:11,384: It’s 2274 00:18:11,384 --> 00:18:11,505: been 2275 00:18:11,505 --> 00:18:11,835: rising 2276 00:18:11,835 --> 00:18:12,644: steadily. 2277 00:18:12,644 --> 00:18:12,795: I 2278 00:18:12,795 --> 00:18:13,072: called 2279 00:18:13,072 --> 00:18:13,184: you 2280 00:18:13,184 --> 00:18:13,335: out 2281 00:18:13,335 --> 00:18:13,484: here 2282 00:18:13,484 --> 00:18:13,575: to 2283 00:18:13,575 --> 00:18:13,724: get 2284 00:18:13,724 --> 00:18:13,875: some 2285 00:18:13,875 --> 00:18:14,055: more 2286 00:18:14,055 --> 00:18:14,414: direct 2287 00:18:14,414 --> 00:18:15,134: input. 2288 00:18:15,134 --> 00:18:15,224: I 2289 00:18:15,224 --> 00:18:15,375: was 2290 00:18:15,375 --> 00:18:15,555: going to 2291 00:18:15,555 --> 00:18:15,914: stop 2292 00:18:15,914 --> 00:18:16,634: research, 2293 00:18:16,634 --> 00:18:16,785: and 2294 00:18:16,785 --> 00:18:17,535: Whispers-to-Ghosts 2295 00:18:17,535 --> 00:18:17,654: has 2296 00:18:17,654 --> 00:18:17,894: already 2297 00:18:17,894 --> 00:18:18,105: put 2298 00:18:18,105 --> 00:18:18,314: the 2299 00:18:18,314 --> 00:18:18,615: call out 2300 00:18:18,615 --> 00:18:18,795: for 2301 00:18:18,795 --> 00:18:19,244: psionics 2302 00:18:19,244 --> 00:18:19,331: to 2303 00:18:19,331 --> 00:18:21,164: stop.”
“Good, 2304 00:18:21,164 --> 00:18:22,005: yes. 2305 00:18:22,005 --> 00:18:22,724: Stop 2306 00:18:22,724 --> 00:18:23,835: research,” 2307 00:18:23,835 --> 00:18:24,045: they 2308 00:18:24,045 --> 00:18:24,464: said 2309 00:18:24,464 --> 00:18:24,674: as 2310 00:18:24,674 --> 00:18:25,065: clearly 2311 00:18:25,065 --> 00:18:25,184: as 2312 00:18:25,184 --> 00:18:25,305: they 2313 00:18:25,305 --> 00:18:25,454: could 2314 00:18:25,454 --> 00:18:26,444: manage. 2315 00:18:26,444 --> 00:18:26,654: Their 2316 00:18:26,654 --> 00:18:27,075: lisp 2317 00:18:27,075 --> 00:18:27,494: always 2318 00:18:27,494 --> 00:18:27,760: seemed 2319 00:18:27,760 --> 00:18:27,855: to 2320 00:18:27,855 --> 00:18:28,065: get 2321 00:18:28,065 --> 00:18:28,424: worse 2322 00:18:28,424 --> 00:18:28,634: when 2323 00:18:28,634 --> 00:18:29,505: stressed, 2324 00:18:29,505 --> 00:18:29,714: and 2325 00:18:29,714 --> 00:18:30,015: few 2326 00:18:30,015 --> 00:18:30,375: things 2327 00:18:30,375 --> 00:18:30,734: stressed 2328 00:18:30,734 --> 00:18:30,855: them 2329 00:18:30,855 --> 00:18:31,005: out 2330 00:18:31,005 --> 00:18:31,634: more 2331 00:18:31,634 --> 00:18:31,815: than 2332 00:18:31,815 --> 00:18:32,115: high 2333 00:18:32,115 --> 00:18:33,164: glimmer. 2334 00:18:33,164 --> 00:18:33,345: They 2335 00:18:33,345 --> 00:18:33,644: pulled 2336 00:18:33,644 --> 00:18:33,734: out 2337 00:18:33,734 --> 00:18:33,855: their 2338 00:18:33,855 --> 00:18:34,605: PDA 2339 00:18:34,605 --> 00:18:34,785: and 2340 00:18:34,785 --> 00:18:35,384: pointed 2341 00:18:35,384 --> 00:18:35,565: at 2342 00:18:35,565 --> 00:18:35,625: the 2343 00:18:35,625 --> 00:18:36,045: sharp 2344 00:18:36,045 --> 00:18:36,555: rise 2345 00:18:36,555 --> 00:18:36,704: on 2346 00:18:36,704 --> 00:18:36,795: the 2347 00:18:36,795 --> 00:18:37,244: graph 2348 00:18:37,244 --> 00:18:37,664: showing 2349 00:18:37,664 --> 00:18:37,904: glimmer 2350 00:18:37,904 --> 00:18:39,375: levels. “At 2351 00:18:39,375 --> 00:18:39,585: this 2352 00:18:39,585 --> 00:18:39,884: rate, 2353 00:18:39,884 --> 00:18:40,125: think 2354 00:18:40,125 --> 00:18:40,214: you 2355 00:18:40,214 --> 00:18:40,424: might 2356 00:18:40,424 --> 00:18:40,634: go 2357 00:18:40,634 --> 00:18:40,994: code 2358 00:18:40,994 --> 00:18:41,204: white 2359 00:18:41,204 --> 00:18:41,474: once 2360 00:18:41,474 --> 00:18:41,595: it 2361 00:18:41,595 --> 00:18:44,025: hits 450?”
She 2362 00:18:44,025 --> 00:18:44,444: balked, 2363 00:18:44,444 --> 00:18:46,214: frowning. “Usually 2364 00:18:46,214 --> 00:18:46,305: I 2365 00:18:46,305 --> 00:18:46,545: wait 2366 00:18:46,545 --> 00:18:46,815: until 500. 2367 00:18:46,815 --> 00:18:48,105: That’s 2368 00:18:48,105 --> 00:18:48,464: standard 2369 00:18:48,464 --> 00:18:48,825: operating 2370 00:18:48,825 --> 00:18:50,325: procedure, 2371 00:18:50,325 --> 00:18:51,654: right?”
Soot 2372 00:18:51,654 --> 00:18:52,095: straightened 2373 00:18:52,095 --> 00:18:52,214: up 2374 00:18:52,214 --> 00:18:52,305: and 2375 00:18:52,305 --> 00:18:52,605: forced 2376 00:18:52,605 --> 00:18:52,664: a 2377 00:18:52,664 --> 00:18:54,644: smile. “Right. 2378 00:18:54,644 --> 00:18:54,795: You’re 2379 00:18:54,795 --> 00:18:55,575: right,” 2380 00:18:55,575 --> 00:18:55,724: they 2381 00:18:55,724 --> 00:18:56,174: said, 2382 00:18:56,174 --> 00:18:56,565: taking 2383 00:18:56,565 --> 00:18:56,625: a 2384 00:18:56,625 --> 00:18:56,835: deep 2385 00:18:56,835 --> 00:18:59,055: breath. “We’ll stick with 500. 2386 00:18:59,055 --> 00:19:00,375: If 2387 00:19:00,375 --> 00:19:01,154: the call’s 2388 00:19:01,154 --> 00:19:01,365: already 2389 00:19:01,365 --> 00:19:01,575: been 2390 00:19:01,575 --> 00:19:01,815: put 2391 00:19:01,815 --> 00:19:01,994: out 2392 00:19:01,994 --> 00:19:02,204: on 2393 00:19:02,204 --> 00:19:02,295: the 2394 00:19:02,295 --> 00:19:02,595: side 2395 00:19:02,595 --> 00:19:03,464: channel, 2396 00:19:03,464 --> 00:19:04,035: hopefully 2397 00:19:04,035 --> 00:19:04,694: people 2398 00:19:04,694 --> 00:19:07,035: listen.”
Cleo 2399 00:19:07,035 --> 00:19:07,335: rolled 2400 00:19:07,335 --> 00:19:07,545: her 2401 00:19:07,545 --> 00:19:09,134: eyes. “Most, 2402 00:19:09,134 --> 00:19:09,224: I 2403 00:19:09,224 --> 00:19:09,974: think, 2404 00:19:09,974 --> 00:19:10,095: but 2405 00:19:10,095 --> 00:19:10,214: if 2406 00:19:10,214 --> 00:19:10,365: you 2407 00:19:10,365 --> 00:19:10,575: give 2408 00:19:10,575 --> 00:19:10,934: people 2409 00:19:10,934 --> 00:19:11,144: what’s 2410 00:19:11,144 --> 00:19:11,744: essentially 2411 00:19:11,744 --> 00:19:12,315: anonymous 2412 00:19:12,315 --> 00:19:13,484: telepathy, 2413 00:19:13,484 --> 00:19:13,724: people 2414 00:19:13,724 --> 00:19:13,785: are 2415 00:19:13,785 --> 00:19:13,994: going to 2416 00:19:13,994 --> 00:19:14,384: use 2417 00:19:14,384 --> 00:19:14,505: it 2418 00:19:14,505 --> 00:19:14,625: to 2419 00:19:14,625 --> 00:19:14,805: be 2420 00:19:14,805 --> 00:19:15,884: assholes. 2421 00:19:15,884 --> 00:19:16,154: There’s 2422 00:19:16,154 --> 00:19:17,085: someone — 2423 00:19:17,085 --> 00:19:17,234: and 2424 00:19:17,234 --> 00:19:17,384: I 2425 00:19:17,384 --> 00:19:17,744: think 2426 00:19:17,744 --> 00:19:18,134: Whispers 2427 00:19:18,134 --> 00:19:18,555: knows 2428 00:19:18,555 --> 00:19:19,424: who — 2429 00:19:19,424 --> 00:19:19,694: who has 2430 00:19:19,694 --> 00:19:19,875: been 2431 00:19:19,875 --> 00:19:20,744: mass-sleeping 2432 00:19:20,744 --> 00:19:21,494: people 2433 00:19:21,494 --> 00:19:21,974: near 2434 00:19:21,974 --> 00:19:22,244: them 2435 00:19:22,244 --> 00:19:22,515: just 2436 00:19:22,515 --> 00:19:22,694: for 2437 00:19:22,694 --> 00:19:23,384: funsies 2438 00:19:23,384 --> 00:19:23,535: who 2439 00:19:23,535 --> 00:19:23,894: doesn’t 2440 00:19:23,894 --> 00:19:24,224: want 2441 00:19:24,224 --> 00:19:24,345: to 2442 00:19:24,345 --> 00:19:26,234: stop.”
They 2443 00:19:26,234 --> 00:19:26,384: did 2444 00:19:26,384 --> 00:19:26,625: their 2445 00:19:26,625 --> 00:19:26,924: best 2446 00:19:26,924 --> 00:19:27,015: to 2447 00:19:27,015 --> 00:19:27,285: hold 2448 00:19:27,285 --> 00:19:27,525: back 2449 00:19:27,525 --> 00:19:27,585: a 2450 00:19:27,585 --> 00:19:28,815: snarl. 2451 00:19:28,815 --> 00:19:29,714: Within, 2452 00:19:29,714 --> 00:19:29,954: they 2453 00:19:29,954 --> 00:19:30,464: felt 2454 00:19:30,464 --> 00:19:30,795: Abby 2455 00:19:30,795 --> 00:19:32,174: stir. 2456 00:19:32,174 --> 00:19:32,595: After 2457 00:19:32,595 --> 00:19:33,105: all, 2458 00:19:33,105 --> 00:19:33,255: the 2459 00:19:33,255 --> 00:19:33,825: spike 2460 00:19:33,825 --> 00:19:33,974: in 2461 00:19:33,974 --> 00:19:34,305: glimmer 2462 00:19:34,305 --> 00:19:34,484: that 2463 00:19:34,484 --> 00:19:34,964: fateful 2464 00:19:34,964 --> 00:19:35,565: day 2465 00:19:35,565 --> 00:19:35,805: had 2466 00:19:35,805 --> 00:19:35,954: been 2467 00:19:35,954 --> 00:19:37,305: intentional, 2468 00:19:37,305 --> 00:19:37,515: and 2469 00:19:37,515 --> 00:19:37,755: one 2470 00:19:37,755 --> 00:19:37,994: way 2471 00:19:37,994 --> 00:19:38,144: to 2472 00:19:38,144 --> 00:19:38,414: raise 2473 00:19:38,414 --> 00:19:39,045: glimmer 2474 00:19:39,045 --> 00:19:39,285: was 2475 00:19:39,285 --> 00:19:39,494: through 2476 00:19:39,494 --> 00:19:39,974: reckless 2477 00:19:39,974 --> 00:19:40,214: use 2478 00:19:40,214 --> 00:19:40,275: of 2479 00:19:40,275 --> 00:19:41,115: psionics 2480 00:19:41,115 --> 00:19:41,384: such 2481 00:19:41,384 --> 00:19:41,505: as 2482 00:19:41,505 --> 00:19:41,684: what 2483 00:19:41,684 --> 00:19:41,865: had 2484 00:19:41,865 --> 00:19:42,105: been 2485 00:19:42,105 --> 00:19:42,944: colloquially 2486 00:19:42,944 --> 00:19:44,355: dubbed ‘mass 2487 00:19:44,355 --> 00:19:45,224: sleep’ — 2488 00:19:45,224 --> 00:19:45,434: yet 2489 00:19:45,434 --> 00:19:46,005: another 2490 00:19:46,005 --> 00:19:46,154: of 2491 00:19:46,154 --> 00:19:46,424: those 2492 00:19:46,424 --> 00:19:47,265: powers, 2493 00:19:47,265 --> 00:19:47,474: though 2494 00:19:47,474 --> 00:19:48,015: certainly 2495 00:19:48,015 --> 00:19:48,315: one 2496 00:19:48,315 --> 00:19:48,734: more 2497 00:19:48,734 --> 00:19:49,154: easily 2498 00:19:49,154 --> 00:19:49,964: abused 2499 00:19:49,964 --> 00:19:50,144: than 2500 00:19:50,144 --> 00:19:50,204: the 2501 00:19:50,204 --> 00:19:51,075: metapsionic 2502 00:19:51,075 --> 00:19:51,704: pulse 2503 00:19:51,704 --> 00:19:51,855: that 2504 00:19:51,855 --> 00:19:51,944: the 2505 00:19:51,944 --> 00:19:52,484: Psionic 2506 00:19:52,484 --> 00:19:53,355: Mantes 2507 00:19:53,355 --> 00:19:53,775: leaned 2508 00:19:53,775 --> 00:19:55,184: on.



Catching 2509 00:19:55,184 --> 00:19:55,424: some 2510 00:19:55,424 --> 00:19:55,515: of 2511 00:19:55,515 --> 00:19:55,634: the 2512 00:19:55,634 --> 00:19:56,174: emotion 2513 00:19:56,174 --> 00:19:56,325: in 2514 00:19:56,325 --> 00:19:56,444: their 2515 00:19:56,444 --> 00:19:57,315: face, 2516 00:19:57,315 --> 00:19:57,914: Cleo 2517 00:19:57,914 --> 00:19:58,694: stiffened, 2518 00:19:58,694 --> 00:19:59,174: turning 2519 00:19:59,174 --> 00:19:59,865: slightly 2520 00:19:59,865 --> 00:20:00,825: away 2521 00:20:00,825 --> 00:20:01,095: as 2522 00:20:01,095 --> 00:20:01,214: though 2523 00:20:01,214 --> 00:20:01,755: preparing 2524 00:20:01,755 --> 00:20:01,904: to 2525 00:20:01,904 --> 00:20:02,355: distance 2526 00:20:02,355 --> 00:20:03,045: herself 2527 00:20:03,045 --> 00:20:03,285: from 2528 00:20:03,285 --> 00:20:03,525: an 2529 00:20:03,525 --> 00:20:04,065: angry 2530 00:20:04,065 --> 00:20:06,855: captain.
“Sorry, 2531 00:20:06,855 --> 00:20:07,454: Cleo. 2532 00:20:07,454 --> 00:20:07,994: Just 2533 00:20:07,994 --> 00:20:08,355: not 2534 00:20:08,355 --> 00:20:08,565: what 2535 00:20:08,565 --> 00:20:08,714: the shift 2536 00:20:08,714 --> 00:20:09,525: needed,” 2537 00:20:09,525 --> 00:20:09,734: they 2538 00:20:09,734 --> 00:20:10,545: said, 2539 00:20:10,545 --> 00:20:11,204: quickly 2540 00:20:11,204 --> 00:20:11,684: reining 2541 00:20:11,684 --> 00:20:11,865: in 2542 00:20:11,865 --> 00:20:12,045: their 2543 00:20:12,045 --> 00:20:12,765: expression 2544 00:20:12,765 --> 00:20:12,914: to 2545 00:20:12,914 --> 00:20:13,305: settle 2546 00:20:13,305 --> 00:20:13,394: the 2547 00:20:13,394 --> 00:20:13,845: most 2548 00:20:13,845 --> 00:20:14,625: reassuring 2549 00:20:14,625 --> 00:20:15,134: smile 2550 00:20:15,134 --> 00:20:15,315: they 2551 00:20:15,315 --> 00:20:15,525: could 2552 00:20:15,525 --> 00:20:16,095: manage 2553 00:20:16,095 --> 00:20:16,275: in 2554 00:20:16,275 --> 00:20:18,164: place. “With 2555 00:20:18,164 --> 00:20:19,035: Dr. R’s 2556 00:20:19,035 --> 00:20:19,394: last 2557 00:20:19,394 --> 00:20:19,964: day, 2558 00:20:19,964 --> 00:20:20,204: I 2559 00:20:20,204 --> 00:20:20,474: was 2560 00:20:20,474 --> 00:20:20,865: hoping 2561 00:20:20,865 --> 00:20:21,134: for 2562 00:20:21,134 --> 00:20:21,734: smooth 2563 00:20:21,734 --> 00:20:24,221: sailing.”
She relaxed 2564 00:20:24,221 --> 00:20:24,484: once 2565 00:20:24,484 --> 00:20:27,154: again. “Right. 2566 00:20:27,154 --> 00:20:27,484: I’ll 2567 00:20:27,484 --> 00:20:27,605: be 2568 00:20:27,605 --> 00:20:27,904: sorry 2569 00:20:27,904 --> 00:20:27,994: to 2570 00:20:27,994 --> 00:20:28,204: see 2571 00:20:28,204 --> 00:20:28,355: him 2572 00:20:28,355 --> 00:20:29,555: go.” 2573 00:20:29,555 --> 00:20:29,855: She 2574 00:20:29,855 --> 00:20:30,184: leaned in 2575 00:20:30,184 --> 00:20:30,244: a 2576 00:20:30,244 --> 00:20:30,605: little 2577 00:20:30,605 --> 00:20:31,565: closer, 2578 00:20:31,565 --> 00:20:32,045: lowering 2579 00:20:32,045 --> 00:20:32,255: her 2580 00:20:32,255 --> 00:20:32,855: voice 2581 00:20:32,855 --> 00:20:33,065: as 2582 00:20:33,065 --> 00:20:33,365: she 2583 00:20:33,365 --> 00:20:34,894: added, “Some 2584 00:20:34,894 --> 00:20:35,345: days, 2585 00:20:35,345 --> 00:20:35,494: I 2586 00:20:35,494 --> 00:20:35,734: don’t 2587 00:20:35,734 --> 00:20:36,095: blame 2588 00:20:36,095 --> 00:20:38,315: him.”
“It 2589 00:20:38,315 --> 00:20:38,615: does 2590 00:20:38,615 --> 00:20:38,765: get 2591 00:20:38,765 --> 00:20:38,795: a 2592 00:20:38,795 --> 00:20:39,035: little 2593 00:20:39,035 --> 00:20:39,484: wild 2594 00:20:39,484 --> 00:20:39,875: here, 2595 00:20:39,875 --> 00:20:40,565: huh?” 2596 00:20:40,565 --> 00:20:40,744: They 2597 00:20:40,744 --> 00:20:42,125: chuckled. “Wouldn’t 2598 00:20:42,125 --> 00:20:42,515: change 2599 00:20:42,515 --> 00:20:42,605: it 2600 00:20:42,605 --> 00:20:42,815: for 2601 00:20:42,815 --> 00:20:45,275: anything.”
“Captains, 2602 00:20:45,275 --> 00:20:45,424: I 2603 00:20:45,424 --> 00:20:47,974: swear…”
Soot 2604 00:20:47,974 --> 00:20:48,605: laughed 2605 00:20:48,605 --> 00:20:48,755: and 2606 00:20:48,755 --> 00:20:49,085: shook 2607 00:20:49,085 --> 00:20:49,295: their 2608 00:20:49,295 --> 00:20:50,164: head, 2609 00:20:50,164 --> 00:20:50,765: bowing 2610 00:20:50,765 --> 00:20:50,914: to 2611 00:20:50,914 --> 00:20:51,035: the 2612 00:20:51,035 --> 00:20:51,815: mystagogue 2613 00:20:51,815 --> 00:20:52,265: before 2614 00:20:52,265 --> 00:20:52,894: padding 2615 00:20:52,894 --> 00:20:53,345: out 2616 00:20:53,345 --> 00:20:53,525: to 2617 00:20:53,525 --> 00:20:54,244: continue 2618 00:20:54,244 --> 00:20:54,545: on 2619 00:20:54,545 --> 00:20:54,724: their 2620 00:20:54,724 --> 00:20:56,434: rounds.
The 2621 00:20:56,434 --> 00:20:56,704: next 2622 00:20:56,704 --> 00:20:56,884: few 2623 00:20:56,884 --> 00:20:57,305: hours 2624 00:20:57,305 --> 00:20:57,785: really 2625 00:20:57,785 --> 00:20:58,144: were 2626 00:20:58,144 --> 00:20:58,565: smooth 2627 00:20:58,565 --> 00:20:59,825: sailing. 2628 00:20:59,825 --> 00:21:00,005: The 2629 00:21:00,005 --> 00:21:00,275: Head 2630 00:21:00,275 --> 00:21:00,335: of 2631 00:21:00,335 --> 00:21:01,055: Security 2632 00:21:01,055 --> 00:21:01,355: had 2633 00:21:01,355 --> 00:21:01,684: already 2634 00:21:01,684 --> 00:21:01,984: set 2635 00:21:01,984 --> 00:21:02,105: up 2636 00:21:02,105 --> 00:21:02,285: their 2637 00:21:02,285 --> 00:21:02,884: officers 2638 00:21:02,884 --> 00:21:03,032: in 2639 00:21:03,032 --> 00:21:03,484: teams 2640 00:21:03,484 --> 00:21:03,575: of 2641 00:21:03,575 --> 00:21:04,474: two 2642 00:21:04,474 --> 00:21:04,625: and 2643 00:21:04,625 --> 00:21:04,685: the 2644 00:21:04,685 --> 00:21:05,255: patrols 2645 00:21:05,255 --> 00:21:05,404: were 2646 00:21:05,404 --> 00:21:05,765: full 2647 00:21:05,765 --> 00:21:05,914: of 2648 00:21:05,914 --> 00:21:06,365: kind 2649 00:21:06,365 --> 00:21:06,994: smiles 2650 00:21:06,994 --> 00:21:07,144: and 2651 00:21:07,144 --> 00:21:07,744: jovial 2652 00:21:07,744 --> 00:21:09,035: greetings. 2653 00:21:09,035 --> 00:21:09,634: Service 2654 00:21:09,634 --> 00:21:10,085: quickly 2655 00:21:10,085 --> 00:21:10,474: caught 2656 00:21:10,474 --> 00:21:11,015: up, 2657 00:21:11,015 --> 00:21:11,194: with 2658 00:21:11,194 --> 00:21:11,285: the 2659 00:21:11,285 --> 00:21:11,585: Head 2660 00:21:11,585 --> 00:21:11,704: of 2661 00:21:11,704 --> 00:21:12,634: Personnel 2662 00:21:12,634 --> 00:21:13,174: doubling 2663 00:21:13,174 --> 00:21:13,384: up 2664 00:21:13,384 --> 00:21:13,505: on 2665 00:21:13,505 --> 00:21:14,194: janitorial 2666 00:21:14,194 --> 00:21:15,005: duties 2667 00:21:15,005 --> 00:21:15,184: and 2668 00:21:15,184 --> 00:21:15,305: one 2669 00:21:15,305 --> 00:21:15,365: of 2670 00:21:15,365 --> 00:21:15,454: the 2671 00:21:15,454 --> 00:21:15,724: most 2672 00:21:15,724 --> 00:21:16,204: efficient 2673 00:21:16,204 --> 00:21:16,714: chefs 2674 00:21:16,714 --> 00:21:16,984: they’d 2675 00:21:16,984 --> 00:21:17,255: ever 2676 00:21:17,255 --> 00:21:17,434: had 2677 00:21:17,434 --> 00:21:17,525: the 2678 00:21:17,525 --> 00:21:17,914: privilege 2679 00:21:17,914 --> 00:21:18,005: of 2680 00:21:18,005 --> 00:21:18,575: seeing 2681 00:21:18,575 --> 00:21:19,144: work 2682 00:21:19,144 --> 00:21:20,404: quickly 2683 00:21:20,404 --> 00:21:20,914: filled 2684 00:21:20,914 --> 00:21:21,035: the 2685 00:21:21,035 --> 00:21:21,424: snack 2686 00:21:21,424 --> 00:21:22,055: bar 2687 00:21:22,055 --> 00:21:22,295: with 2688 00:21:22,295 --> 00:21:22,654: nearly 2689 00:21:22,654 --> 00:21:22,714: a 2690 00:21:22,714 --> 00:21:23,674: hundred 2691 00:21:23,674 --> 00:21:24,664: unparalleled 2692 00:21:24,664 --> 00:21:26,015: mothmallows; 2693 00:21:26,015 --> 00:21:26,974: simply 2694 00:21:26,974 --> 00:21:28,924: divine. 2695 00:21:28,924 --> 00:21:29,615: Engineering 2696 00:21:29,615 --> 00:21:29,854: was 2697 00:21:29,854 --> 00:21:30,244: so 2698 00:21:30,244 --> 00:21:30,515: well 2699 00:21:30,515 --> 00:21:31,115: staffed 2700 00:21:31,115 --> 00:21:31,295: and 2701 00:21:31,295 --> 00:21:31,744: so 2702 00:21:31,744 --> 00:21:32,555: practiced 2703 00:21:32,555 --> 00:21:32,766: with 2704 00:21:32,766 --> 00:21:32,855: the 2705 00:21:32,855 --> 00:21:33,964: Lighthouse-class 2706 00:21:33,964 --> 00:21:34,984: station 2707 00:21:34,984 --> 00:21:35,164: that 2708 00:21:35,164 --> 00:21:35,375: they’d 2709 00:21:35,375 --> 00:21:35,795: settled 2710 00:21:35,795 --> 00:21:36,095: into 2711 00:21:36,095 --> 00:21:36,694: frezon 2712 00:21:36,694 --> 00:21:37,414: production 2713 00:21:37,414 --> 00:21:37,625: in 2714 00:21:37,625 --> 00:21:37,775: order 2715 00:21:37,775 --> 00:21:37,924: to 2716 00:21:37,924 --> 00:21:38,224: make 2717 00:21:38,224 --> 00:21:38,285: a 2718 00:21:38,285 --> 00:21:38,704: bit of 2719 00:21:38,704 --> 00:21:39,125: extra 2720 00:21:39,125 --> 00:21:40,204: money 2721 00:21:40,204 --> 00:21:40,474: for 2722 00:21:40,474 --> 00:21:41,644: logistics, 2723 00:21:41,644 --> 00:21:41,855: who 2724 00:21:41,855 --> 00:21:42,005: were 2725 00:21:42,005 --> 00:21:42,244: no 2726 00:21:42,244 --> 00:21:42,904: slouches, 2727 00:21:42,904 --> 00:21:44,555: either. 2728 00:21:44,555 --> 00:21:44,795: The 2729 00:21:44,795 --> 00:21:45,244: internal 2730 00:21:45,244 --> 00:21:45,839: finances 2731 00:21:45,839 --> 00:21:45,934: of 2732 00:21:45,934 --> 00:21:46,924: Nanotrasen 2733 00:21:46,924 --> 00:21:47,224: and 2734 00:21:47,224 --> 00:21:47,434: its 2735 00:21:47,434 --> 00:21:48,545: resource-allocation 2736 00:21:48,545 --> 00:21:49,654: algorithms 2737 00:21:49,654 --> 00:21:50,105: veered 2738 00:21:50,105 --> 00:21:50,494: way 2739 00:21:50,494 --> 00:21:50,765: too 2740 00:21:50,765 --> 00:21:51,184: far 2741 00:21:51,184 --> 00:21:51,515: into 2742 00:21:51,515 --> 00:21:52,654: hypercapitalism 2743 00:21:52,654 --> 00:21:52,865: for 2744 00:21:52,865 --> 00:21:53,015: their 2745 00:21:53,015 --> 00:21:53,914: tastes, 2746 00:21:53,914 --> 00:21:54,095: but 2747 00:21:54,095 --> 00:21:54,244: they 2748 00:21:54,244 --> 00:21:54,424: could 2749 00:21:54,424 --> 00:21:54,875: certainly 2750 00:21:54,875 --> 00:21:55,865: understand 2751 00:21:55,865 --> 00:21:56,015: an 2752 00:21:56,015 --> 00:21:56,525: efficient 2753 00:21:56,525 --> 00:21:58,535: station.
They 2754 00:21:58,535 --> 00:21:58,744: did 2755 00:21:58,744 --> 00:21:58,894: their 2756 00:21:58,894 --> 00:21:59,255: best 2757 00:21:59,255 --> 00:21:59,375: to 2758 00:21:59,375 --> 00:21:59,765: trust 2759 00:21:59,765 --> 00:21:59,944: that 2760 00:21:59,944 --> 00:22:00,545: epistemics 2761 00:22:00,545 --> 00:22:00,694: would 2762 00:22:00,694 --> 00:22:00,875: be 2763 00:22:00,875 --> 00:22:01,204: run 2764 00:22:01,204 --> 00:22:01,775: smoothly 2765 00:22:01,775 --> 00:22:02,015: by 2766 00:22:02,015 --> 00:22:03,125: Cleo, 2767 00:22:03,125 --> 00:22:03,335: and 2768 00:22:03,335 --> 00:22:03,755: forced 2769 00:22:03,755 --> 00:22:04,414: themself 2770 00:22:04,414 --> 00:22:04,684: to 2771 00:22:04,684 --> 00:22:04,924: leave 2772 00:22:04,924 --> 00:22:05,045: it 2773 00:22:05,045 --> 00:22:05,525: be 2774 00:22:05,525 --> 00:22:05,795: as 2775 00:22:05,795 --> 00:22:06,154: best 2776 00:22:06,154 --> 00:22:06,365: they 2777 00:22:06,365 --> 00:22:07,444: could — 2778 00:22:07,444 --> 00:22:07,654: at 2779 00:22:07,654 --> 00:22:07,894: least 2780 00:22:07,894 --> 00:22:07,954: to 2781 00:22:07,954 --> 00:22:08,134: the 2782 00:22:08,134 --> 00:22:08,464: point 2783 00:22:08,464 --> 00:22:08,585: where 2784 00:22:08,585 --> 00:22:08,674: they 2785 00:22:08,674 --> 00:22:09,065: checked 2786 00:22:09,065 --> 00:22:09,335: in 2787 00:22:09,335 --> 00:22:09,605: no 2788 00:22:09,605 --> 00:22:10,025: more 2789 00:22:10,025 --> 00:22:10,204: or 2790 00:22:10,204 --> 00:22:10,535: less 2791 00:22:10,535 --> 00:22:11,315: frequently 2792 00:22:11,315 --> 00:22:11,555: than 2793 00:22:11,555 --> 00:22:11,704: the 2794 00:22:11,704 --> 00:22:11,914: other 2795 00:22:11,914 --> 00:22:15,005: departments.
And 2796 00:22:15,005 --> 00:22:15,214: what 2797 00:22:15,214 --> 00:22:15,275: a 2798 00:22:15,275 --> 00:22:16,144: curious 2799 00:22:16,144 --> 00:22:16,984: department 2800 00:22:16,984 --> 00:22:17,345: epi 2801 00:22:17,345 --> 00:22:19,204: was.
These 2802 00:22:19,204 --> 00:22:19,565: two 2803 00:22:19,565 --> 00:22:20,615: universes 2804 00:22:20,615 --> 00:22:21,545: slip-sliding 2805 00:22:21,545 --> 00:22:21,994: against 2806 00:22:21,994 --> 00:22:22,174: each 2807 00:22:22,174 --> 00:22:22,595: other 2808 00:22:22,595 --> 00:22:22,865: did 2809 00:22:22,865 --> 00:22:23,255: so 2810 00:22:23,255 --> 00:22:23,974: differently 2811 00:22:23,974 --> 00:22:24,484: across 2812 00:22:24,484 --> 00:22:25,595: space. 2813 00:22:25,595 --> 00:22:26,285: When, 2814 00:22:26,285 --> 00:22:26,494: it 2815 00:22:26,494 --> 00:22:26,914: turns 2816 00:22:26,914 --> 00:22:27,605: out, 2817 00:22:27,605 --> 00:22:27,904: you 2818 00:22:27,904 --> 00:22:28,085: are 2819 00:22:28,085 --> 00:22:28,265: a 2820 00:22:28,265 --> 00:22:29,075: corporation 2821 00:22:29,075 --> 00:22:29,555: spanning 2822 00:22:29,555 --> 00:22:29,674: the 2823 00:22:29,674 --> 00:22:30,095: larger 2824 00:22:30,095 --> 00:22:30,545: part 2825 00:22:30,545 --> 00:22:30,664: of 2826 00:22:30,664 --> 00:22:30,815: an 2827 00:22:30,815 --> 00:22:31,144: arm 2828 00:22:31,144 --> 00:22:31,234: of 2829 00:22:31,234 --> 00:22:31,355: the 2830 00:22:31,355 --> 00:22:32,375: galaxy, 2831 00:22:32,375 --> 00:22:32,525: that 2832 00:22:32,525 --> 00:22:32,855: has 2833 00:22:32,855 --> 00:22:33,545: real, 2834 00:22:33,545 --> 00:22:34,204: knock-on 2835 00:22:34,204 --> 00:22:35,105: effects, 2836 00:22:35,105 --> 00:22:35,404: for 2837 00:22:35,404 --> 00:22:35,734: what 2838 00:22:35,734 --> 00:22:36,095: worked 2839 00:22:36,095 --> 00:22:36,214: in 2840 00:22:36,214 --> 00:22:36,454: one 2841 00:22:36,454 --> 00:22:37,295: location 2842 00:22:37,295 --> 00:22:37,714: may 2843 00:22:37,714 --> 00:22:38,134: not 2844 00:22:38,134 --> 00:22:38,285: in 2845 00:22:38,285 --> 00:22:39,605: another. 2846 00:22:39,605 --> 00:22:40,295: Worse, 2847 00:22:40,295 --> 00:22:40,654: this 2848 00:22:40,654 --> 00:22:41,194: changed 2849 00:22:41,194 --> 00:22:41,434: over 2850 00:22:41,434 --> 00:22:42,365: time, 2851 00:22:42,365 --> 00:22:42,934: rendering 2852 00:22:42,934 --> 00:22:43,444: some 2853 00:22:43,444 --> 00:22:44,105: research 2854 00:22:44,105 --> 00:22:44,795: moot 2855 00:22:44,795 --> 00:22:45,154: even 2856 00:22:45,154 --> 00:22:45,484: from 2857 00:22:45,484 --> 00:22:45,785: one 2858 00:22:45,785 --> 00:22:46,204: shift 2859 00:22:46,204 --> 00:22:46,384: to 2860 00:22:46,384 --> 00:22:46,595: the 2861 00:22:46,595 --> 00:22:47,525: next. 2862 00:22:47,525 --> 00:22:47,765: You 2863 00:22:47,765 --> 00:22:48,095: learn 2864 00:22:48,095 --> 00:22:48,365: less 2865 00:22:48,365 --> 00:22:48,634: about 2866 00:22:48,634 --> 00:22:48,934: how 2867 00:22:48,934 --> 00:22:49,295: best 2868 00:22:49,295 --> 00:22:49,384: to 2869 00:22:49,384 --> 00:22:49,625: make 2870 00:22:49,625 --> 00:22:49,684: a 2871 00:22:49,684 --> 00:22:50,375: universal 2872 00:22:50,375 --> 00:22:51,244: micro-reactor 2873 00:22:51,244 --> 00:22:51,694: fusion 2874 00:22:51,694 --> 00:22:52,565: cell 2875 00:22:52,565 --> 00:22:52,805: and 2876 00:22:52,805 --> 00:22:53,134: more 2877 00:22:53,134 --> 00:22:53,375: about 2878 00:22:53,375 --> 00:22:53,795: how 2879 00:22:53,795 --> 00:22:54,365: to 2880 00:22:54,365 --> 00:22:54,605: most 2881 00:22:54,605 --> 00:22:55,325: efficiently 2882 00:22:55,325 --> 00:22:56,525: research 2883 00:22:56,525 --> 00:22:57,515: micro-reactor 2884 00:22:57,515 --> 00:22:57,934: fusion 2885 00:22:57,934 --> 00:23:00,244: cells.
Other 2886 00:23:00,244 --> 00:23:00,845: sectors 2887 00:23:00,845 --> 00:23:01,234: even 2888 00:23:01,234 --> 00:23:01,595: named 2889 00:23:01,595 --> 00:23:01,714: it 2890 00:23:01,714 --> 00:23:01,805: the 2891 00:23:01,805 --> 00:23:02,255: science 2892 00:23:02,255 --> 00:23:02,884: department 2893 00:23:02,884 --> 00:23:03,184: rather 2894 00:23:03,184 --> 00:23:03,394: than 2895 00:23:03,394 --> 00:23:04,835: epistemics. 2896 00:23:04,835 --> 00:23:05,015: They 2897 00:23:05,015 --> 00:23:05,375: named 2898 00:23:05,375 --> 00:23:05,464: the 2899 00:23:05,464 --> 00:23:05,974: lead 2900 00:23:05,974 --> 00:23:06,184: the 2901 00:23:06,184 --> 00:23:06,724: research 2902 00:23:06,724 --> 00:23:07,444: director 2903 00:23:07,444 --> 00:23:07,744: rather 2904 00:23:07,744 --> 00:23:07,924: than 2905 00:23:07,924 --> 00:23:09,244: mystagogue. 2906 00:23:09,244 --> 00:23:09,424: They 2907 00:23:09,424 --> 00:23:09,724: named 2908 00:23:09,724 --> 00:23:09,815: the 2909 00:23:09,815 --> 00:23:10,325: person 2910 00:23:10,325 --> 00:23:10,444: in 2911 00:23:10,444 --> 00:23:11,045: charge 2912 00:23:11,045 --> 00:23:11,164: of 2913 00:23:11,164 --> 00:23:11,974: investigating 2914 00:23:11,974 --> 00:23:12,515: anomalous 2915 00:23:12,515 --> 00:23:13,174: occurrences 2916 00:23:13,174 --> 00:23:13,595: something 2917 00:23:13,595 --> 00:23:14,075: far 2918 00:23:14,075 --> 00:23:14,525: more 2919 00:23:14,525 --> 00:23:14,944: plain 2920 00:23:14,944 --> 00:23:16,085: that the ‘Psionic 2921 00:23:16,085 --> 00:23:17,944: Mantis’.
This 2922 00:23:17,944 --> 00:23:18,605: sector, 2923 00:23:18,605 --> 00:23:19,625: however, 2924 00:23:19,625 --> 00:23:19,894: was 2925 00:23:19,894 --> 00:23:20,404: something 2926 00:23:20,404 --> 00:23:21,785: else. 2927 00:23:21,785 --> 00:23:22,505: Here, 2928 00:23:22,505 --> 00:23:22,684: the 2929 00:23:22,684 --> 00:23:23,134: veil 2930 00:23:23,134 --> 00:23:23,404: was 2931 00:23:23,404 --> 00:23:23,734: far 2932 00:23:23,734 --> 00:23:24,875: thinner. 2933 00:23:24,875 --> 00:23:25,414: Here, 2934 00:23:25,414 --> 00:23:25,865: whole 2935 00:23:25,865 --> 00:23:26,527: religions 2936 00:23:26,527 --> 00:23:26,944: sprung 2937 00:23:26,944 --> 00:23:27,095: up 2938 00:23:27,095 --> 00:23:27,335: around 2939 00:23:27,335 --> 00:23:27,484: this 2940 00:23:27,484 --> 00:23:27,724: very 2941 00:23:27,724 --> 00:23:28,565: fact, 2942 00:23:28,565 --> 00:23:28,714: to 2943 00:23:28,714 --> 00:23:28,835: the 2944 00:23:28,835 --> 00:23:29,224: point 2945 00:23:29,224 --> 00:23:29,404: where 2946 00:23:29,404 --> 00:23:29,795: many 2947 00:23:29,795 --> 00:23:30,484: stations 2948 00:23:30,484 --> 00:23:30,755: had 2949 00:23:30,755 --> 00:23:30,815: a 2950 00:23:30,815 --> 00:23:31,505: chaplain 2951 00:23:31,505 --> 00:23:32,045: dedicated 2952 00:23:32,045 --> 00:23:32,134: to 2953 00:23:32,134 --> 00:23:34,355: such.
Here, 2954 00:23:34,355 --> 00:23:35,015: glimmer 2955 00:23:35,015 --> 00:23:35,285: was 2956 00:23:35,285 --> 00:23:35,345: a 2957 00:23:35,345 --> 00:23:37,204: problem.
That 2958 00:23:37,204 --> 00:23:37,654: simple 2959 00:23:37,654 --> 00:23:38,285: measurement 2960 00:23:38,285 --> 00:23:38,375: of 2961 00:23:38,375 --> 00:23:38,464: the 2962 00:23:38,464 --> 00:23:38,944: friction 2963 00:23:38,944 --> 00:23:39,454: between 2964 00:23:39,454 --> 00:23:40,474: planes, 2965 00:23:40,474 --> 00:23:40,595: a 2966 00:23:40,595 --> 00:23:41,224: number 2967 00:23:41,224 --> 00:23:41,464: that 2968 00:23:41,464 --> 00:23:42,095: started 2969 00:23:42,095 --> 00:23:42,184: at 2970 00:23:42,184 --> 00:23:43,085: zero 2971 00:23:43,085 --> 00:23:43,355: and 2972 00:23:43,355 --> 00:23:43,684: yet 2973 00:23:43,684 --> 00:23:43,954: which 2974 00:23:43,954 --> 00:23:44,255: had 2975 00:23:44,255 --> 00:23:44,644: no 2976 00:23:44,644 --> 00:23:45,035: upper 2977 00:23:45,035 --> 00:23:45,694: bound, 2978 00:23:45,694 --> 00:23:46,295: became 2979 00:23:46,295 --> 00:23:46,384: a 2980 00:23:46,384 --> 00:23:46,684: way 2981 00:23:46,684 --> 00:23:46,865: to 2982 00:23:46,865 --> 00:23:47,315: tell 2983 00:23:47,315 --> 00:23:47,704: just 2984 00:23:47,704 --> 00:23:48,095: how 2985 00:23:48,095 --> 00:23:48,545: bad 2986 00:23:48,545 --> 00:23:48,994: things 2987 00:23:48,994 --> 00:23:49,325: might 2988 00:23:49,325 --> 00:23:49,744: get 2989 00:23:49,744 --> 00:23:50,315: because 2990 00:23:50,315 --> 00:23:50,404: of 2991 00:23:50,404 --> 00:23:50,585: that 2992 00:23:50,585 --> 00:23:52,174: friction. At 500Ψ, 2993 00:23:52,174 --> 00:23:54,845: the point at 2994 00:23:54,845 --> 00:23:55,025: which 2995 00:23:55,025 --> 00:23:55,144: the 2996 00:23:55,144 --> 00:23:55,835: station 2997 00:23:55,835 --> 00:23:56,224: moved 2998 00:23:56,224 --> 00:23:56,345: to 2999 00:23:56,345 --> 00:23:56,734: code 3000 00:23:56,734 --> 00:23:57,605: white, 3001 00:23:57,605 --> 00:23:58,414: auditory 3002 00:23:58,414 --> 00:23:59,345: hallucinations 3003 00:23:59,345 --> 00:23:59,795: became 3004 00:23:59,795 --> 00:24:00,964: possible, 3005 00:24:00,964 --> 00:24:01,325: as 3006 00:24:01,325 --> 00:24:01,505: did 3007 00:24:01,505 --> 00:24:01,835: seeing 3008 00:24:01,835 --> 00:24:02,555: spectres 3009 00:24:02,555 --> 00:24:02,644: of 3010 00:24:02,644 --> 00:24:02,765: the 3011 00:24:02,765 --> 00:24:03,394: dead 3012 00:24:03,394 --> 00:24:03,664: or 3013 00:24:03,664 --> 00:24:04,204: ghosts 3014 00:24:04,204 --> 00:24:04,414: of 3015 00:24:04,414 --> 00:24:04,775: past 3016 00:24:04,775 --> 00:24:06,305: selves. 3017 00:24:06,305 --> 00:24:06,634: As 3018 00:24:06,634 --> 00:24:07,115: glimmer 3019 00:24:07,115 --> 00:24:07,924: climbed, 3020 00:24:07,924 --> 00:24:08,375: so 3021 00:24:08,375 --> 00:24:08,914: too 3022 00:24:08,914 --> 00:24:09,125: did 3023 00:24:09,125 --> 00:24:09,275: the 3024 00:24:09,275 --> 00:24:10,744: effects. 3025 00:24:10,744 --> 00:24:11,194: Those 3026 00:24:11,194 --> 00:24:11,345: with 3027 00:24:11,345 --> 00:24:12,005: psionics 3028 00:24:12,005 --> 00:24:12,125: would 3029 00:24:12,125 --> 00:24:12,664: succumb 3030 00:24:12,664 --> 00:24:12,815: to 3031 00:24:12,815 --> 00:24:13,565: headaches 3032 00:24:13,565 --> 00:24:13,775: and 3033 00:24:13,775 --> 00:24:15,424: nosebleeds, 3034 00:24:15,424 --> 00:24:15,755: new 3035 00:24:15,755 --> 00:24:16,474: psionics 3036 00:24:16,474 --> 00:24:17,045: users 3037 00:24:17,045 --> 00:24:17,285: would 3038 00:24:17,285 --> 00:24:18,125: appear, 3039 00:24:18,125 --> 00:24:18,755: and, 3040 00:24:18,755 --> 00:24:19,025: as 3041 00:24:19,025 --> 00:24:19,325: Soot had 3042 00:24:19,325 --> 00:24:19,924: witnessed 3043 00:24:19,924 --> 00:24:21,125: firsthand, 3044 00:24:21,125 --> 00:24:22,025: wide-spread 3045 00:24:22,025 --> 00:24:22,625: psionic 3046 00:24:22,625 --> 00:24:23,224: chaos 3047 00:24:23,224 --> 00:24:23,615: might 3048 00:24:23,615 --> 00:24:24,724: ensue, 3049 00:24:24,724 --> 00:24:25,085: such 3050 00:24:25,085 --> 00:24:25,234: as 3051 00:24:25,234 --> 00:24:25,355: the 3052 00:24:25,355 --> 00:24:25,894: mass 3053 00:24:25,894 --> 00:24:26,644: swapping 3054 00:24:26,644 --> 00:24:26,855: of 3055 00:24:26,855 --> 00:24:29,674: consciousnesses.
Several 3056 00:24:29,674 --> 00:24:30,095: things 3057 00:24:30,095 --> 00:24:30,365: might 3058 00:24:30,365 --> 00:24:30,755: raise 3059 00:24:30,755 --> 00:24:31,654: glimmer. 3060 00:24:31,654 --> 00:24:32,134: Using 3061 00:24:32,134 --> 00:24:33,335: psionics. 3062 00:24:33,335 --> 00:24:34,174: Researching 3063 00:24:34,174 --> 00:24:34,835: anomalies 3064 00:24:34,835 --> 00:24:34,954: or 3065 00:24:34,954 --> 00:24:36,305: artifacts. 3066 00:24:36,305 --> 00:24:36,755: Glimmer 3067 00:24:36,755 --> 00:24:37,325: mites 3068 00:24:37,325 --> 00:24:37,535: and 3069 00:24:37,535 --> 00:24:38,734: wisps, 3070 00:24:38,734 --> 00:24:39,275: pests 3071 00:24:39,275 --> 00:24:39,545: that 3072 00:24:39,545 --> 00:24:39,694: they 3073 00:24:39,694 --> 00:24:41,315: were. 3074 00:24:41,315 --> 00:24:41,644: Even 3075 00:24:41,644 --> 00:24:41,974: just 3076 00:24:41,974 --> 00:24:42,305: running 3077 00:24:42,305 --> 00:24:42,394: the 3078 00:24:42,394 --> 00:24:42,724: glimmer 3079 00:24:42,724 --> 00:24:43,535: prober, 3080 00:24:43,535 --> 00:24:43,625: a 3081 00:24:43,625 --> 00:24:44,075: device 3082 00:24:44,075 --> 00:24:44,255: which 3083 00:24:44,255 --> 00:24:44,734: conducted 3084 00:24:44,734 --> 00:24:45,605: small-scale 3085 00:24:45,605 --> 00:24:46,265: research 3086 00:24:46,265 --> 00:24:46,595: within 3087 00:24:46,595 --> 00:24:46,714: its 3088 00:24:46,714 --> 00:24:47,555: shell, 3089 00:24:47,555 --> 00:24:48,035: generating 3090 00:24:48,035 --> 00:24:48,214: some 3091 00:24:48,214 --> 00:24:48,275: of 3092 00:24:48,275 --> 00:24:48,365: the 3093 00:24:48,365 --> 00:24:48,664: knowledge 3094 00:24:48,664 --> 00:24:49,055: required 3095 00:24:49,055 --> 00:24:49,148: to 3096 00:24:49,148 --> 00:24:49,505: accomplish 3097 00:24:49,505 --> 00:24:49,894: tasks around 3098 00:24:49,894 --> 00:24:49,954: the 3099 00:24:49,954 --> 00:24:50,855: station, 3100 00:24:50,855 --> 00:24:51,065: would 3101 00:24:51,065 --> 00:24:51,394: raise 3102 00:24:51,394 --> 00:24:51,484: it 3103 00:24:51,484 --> 00:24:54,065: steadily.
Soot, 3104 00:24:54,065 --> 00:24:54,394: ever 3105 00:24:54,394 --> 00:24:55,234: conservative 3106 00:24:55,234 --> 00:24:55,414: when 3107 00:24:55,414 --> 00:24:55,505: it 3108 00:24:55,505 --> 00:24:55,744: came 3109 00:24:55,744 --> 00:24:55,835: to 3110 00:24:55,835 --> 00:24:56,704: glimmer, 3111 00:24:56,704 --> 00:24:57,545: instructed 3112 00:24:57,545 --> 00:24:57,664: that 3113 00:24:57,664 --> 00:24:57,755: the 3114 00:24:57,755 --> 00:24:58,285: prober to 3115 00:24:58,285 --> 00:24:58,444: be 3116 00:24:58,444 --> 00:25:01,535: turned off at 300Ψ and that 3117 00:25:01,535 --> 00:25:02,255: psionics 3118 00:25:02,255 --> 00:25:02,974: users 3119 00:25:02,974 --> 00:25:03,394: stop 3120 00:25:03,394 --> 00:25:03,994: relying 3121 00:25:03,994 --> 00:25:04,204: on 3122 00:25:04,204 --> 00:25:08,194: their “powers” at 350Ψ except in 3123 00:25:08,194 --> 00:25:08,555: case 3124 00:25:08,555 --> 00:25:08,674: of an 3125 00:25:08,674 --> 00:25:10,204: emergency. 3126 00:25:10,204 --> 00:25:10,384: If 3127 00:25:10,384 --> 00:25:10,505: it 3128 00:25:10,505 --> 00:25:10,984: climbed 3129 00:25:10,984 --> 00:25:11,914: higher, 3130 00:25:11,914 --> 00:25:12,125: if 3131 00:25:12,125 --> 00:25:12,335: they 3132 00:25:12,335 --> 00:25:12,845: hit 3133 00:25:12,845 --> 00:25:13,384: code 3134 00:25:13,384 --> 00:25:14,585: white, 3135 00:25:14,585 --> 00:25:14,674: a 3136 00:25:14,674 --> 00:25:15,214: request 3137 00:25:15,214 --> 00:25:15,365: for 3138 00:25:15,365 --> 00:25:15,904: psionics 3139 00:25:15,904 --> 00:25:16,265: users 3140 00:25:16,265 --> 00:25:16,414: to 3141 00:25:16,414 --> 00:25:17,345: voluntarily 3142 00:25:17,345 --> 00:25:17,825: take 3143 00:25:17,825 --> 00:25:18,664: mindbreaker 3144 00:25:18,664 --> 00:25:19,595: toxin 3145 00:25:19,595 --> 00:25:19,894: was 3146 00:25:19,894 --> 00:25:20,134: put 3147 00:25:20,134 --> 00:25:21,005: out. 3148 00:25:21,005 --> 00:25:21,244: They 3149 00:25:21,244 --> 00:25:21,484: would 3150 00:25:21,484 --> 00:25:21,845: throw 3151 00:25:21,845 --> 00:25:22,505: up, 3152 00:25:22,505 --> 00:25:22,714: they 3153 00:25:22,714 --> 00:25:22,894: would 3154 00:25:22,894 --> 00:25:23,134: get 3155 00:25:23,134 --> 00:25:23,914: dizzy 3156 00:25:23,914 --> 00:25:24,095: and 3157 00:25:24,095 --> 00:25:24,454: see 3158 00:25:24,454 --> 00:25:24,605: the 3159 00:25:24,605 --> 00:25:25,055: world 3160 00:25:25,055 --> 00:25:25,204: in 3161 00:25:25,204 --> 00:25:25,295: a 3162 00:25:25,295 --> 00:25:25,744: wash 3163 00:25:25,744 --> 00:25:25,894: of 3164 00:25:25,894 --> 00:25:26,944: colors, 3165 00:25:26,944 --> 00:25:27,125: but 3166 00:25:27,125 --> 00:25:27,244: their 3167 00:25:27,244 --> 00:25:27,785: psionics 3168 00:25:27,785 --> 00:25:27,904: would 3169 00:25:27,904 --> 00:25:29,075: disappear 3170 00:25:29,075 --> 00:25:29,285: and 3171 00:25:29,285 --> 00:25:29,884: glimmer 3172 00:25:29,884 --> 00:25:30,095: would 3173 00:25:30,095 --> 00:25:32,015: drop.
Those 3174 00:25:32,015 --> 00:25:32,134: who 3175 00:25:32,134 --> 00:25:33,335: refused, 3176 00:25:33,335 --> 00:25:33,815: those 3177 00:25:33,815 --> 00:25:33,934: who 3178 00:25:33,934 --> 00:25:34,414: sought 3179 00:25:34,414 --> 00:25:34,654: for 3180 00:25:34,654 --> 00:25:35,194: whatever 3181 00:25:35,194 --> 00:25:35,674: reason 3182 00:25:35,674 --> 00:25:35,855: to 3183 00:25:35,855 --> 00:25:36,365: cause 3184 00:25:36,365 --> 00:25:36,424: a 3185 00:25:36,424 --> 00:25:36,994: spike 3186 00:25:36,994 --> 00:25:37,204: in 3187 00:25:37,204 --> 00:25:38,194: glimmer, 3188 00:25:38,194 --> 00:25:38,464: were 3189 00:25:38,464 --> 00:25:39,095: subject 3190 00:25:39,095 --> 00:25:39,305: to 3191 00:25:39,305 --> 00:25:39,634: more 3192 00:25:39,634 --> 00:25:40,234: drastic 3193 00:25:40,234 --> 00:25:41,525: measures. 3194 00:25:41,525 --> 00:25:42,005: After 3195 00:25:42,005 --> 00:25:42,755: all, 3196 00:25:42,755 --> 00:25:42,904: the 3197 00:25:42,904 --> 00:25:43,595: Mantis 3198 00:25:43,595 --> 00:25:44,015: carried 3199 00:25:44,015 --> 00:25:44,075: a 3200 00:25:44,075 --> 00:25:44,855: psi-breaker 3201 00:25:44,855 --> 00:25:45,634: pistol 3202 00:25:45,634 --> 00:25:46,025: and 3203 00:25:46,025 --> 00:25:46,625: knife 3204 00:25:46,625 --> 00:25:47,015: for a 3205 00:25:47,015 --> 00:25:49,025: reason.
Some were 3206 00:25:49,025 --> 00:25:50,164: careless, 3207 00:25:50,164 --> 00:25:50,914: some 3208 00:25:50,914 --> 00:25:51,125: were 3209 00:25:51,125 --> 00:25:51,424: bad 3210 00:25:51,424 --> 00:25:53,494: actors.
If 3211 00:25:53,494 --> 00:25:53,944: Abby 3212 00:25:53,944 --> 00:25:54,244: was 3213 00:25:54,244 --> 00:25:54,484: at 3214 00:25:54,484 --> 00:25:55,414: front, 3215 00:25:55,414 --> 00:25:55,625: if 3216 00:25:55,625 --> 00:25:55,924: she 3217 00:25:55,924 --> 00:25:56,164: was 3218 00:25:56,164 --> 00:25:56,375: not 3219 00:25:56,375 --> 00:25:56,765: along 3220 00:25:56,765 --> 00:25:56,914: for 3221 00:25:56,914 --> 00:25:57,005: the 3222 00:25:57,005 --> 00:25:57,335: ride 3223 00:25:57,335 --> 00:25:57,694: simply 3224 00:25:57,694 --> 00:25:57,815: as 3225 00:25:57,815 --> 00:25:57,875: a 3226 00:25:57,875 --> 00:25:58,835: visitor, 3227 00:25:58,835 --> 00:25:59,255: she 3228 00:25:59,255 --> 00:25:59,795: worked 3229 00:25:59,795 --> 00:25:59,974: as 3230 00:25:59,974 --> 00:26:00,035: a 3231 00:26:00,035 --> 00:26:00,545: Psionic 3232 00:26:00,545 --> 00:26:02,555: Mantis.
The 3233 00:26:02,555 --> 00:26:02,825: job 3234 00:26:02,825 --> 00:26:03,005: was 3235 00:26:03,005 --> 00:26:03,184: not 3236 00:26:03,184 --> 00:26:03,424: so 3237 00:26:03,424 --> 00:26:03,994: drastic 3238 00:26:03,994 --> 00:26:04,174: as 3239 00:26:04,174 --> 00:26:04,234: the 3240 00:26:04,234 --> 00:26:04,835: training 3241 00:26:04,835 --> 00:26:05,105: made 3242 00:26:05,105 --> 00:26:05,194: it 3243 00:26:05,194 --> 00:26:06,305: sound. 3244 00:26:06,305 --> 00:26:06,484: For 3245 00:26:06,484 --> 00:26:06,575: the 3246 00:26:06,575 --> 00:26:06,875: most 3247 00:26:06,875 --> 00:26:07,144: part, 3248 00:26:07,144 --> 00:26:07,384: she 3249 00:26:07,384 --> 00:26:07,535: would 3250 00:26:07,535 --> 00:26:07,775: just 3251 00:26:07,775 --> 00:26:08,075: walk 3252 00:26:08,075 --> 00:26:08,255: around 3253 00:26:08,255 --> 00:26:08,345: and 3254 00:26:08,345 --> 00:26:08,644: talk 3255 00:26:08,644 --> 00:26:08,795: with 3256 00:26:08,795 --> 00:26:09,605: people. 3257 00:26:09,605 --> 00:26:09,875: She 3258 00:26:09,875 --> 00:26:10,025: would 3259 00:26:10,025 --> 00:26:10,414: listen 3260 00:26:10,414 --> 00:26:10,535: to 3261 00:26:10,535 --> 00:26:10,654: their 3262 00:26:10,654 --> 00:26:11,734: stories. 3263 00:26:11,734 --> 00:26:12,095: She would 3264 00:26:12,095 --> 00:26:12,394: flit 3265 00:26:12,394 --> 00:26:12,755: about 3266 00:26:12,755 --> 00:26:12,964: from 3267 00:26:12,964 --> 00:26:13,355: here 3268 00:26:13,355 --> 00:26:13,444: to 3269 00:26:13,444 --> 00:26:14,315: there. 3270 00:26:14,315 --> 00:26:14,615: She 3271 00:26:14,615 --> 00:26:14,765: would 3272 00:26:14,765 --> 00:26:15,125: sit 3273 00:26:15,125 --> 00:26:15,846: cross-legged 3274 00:26:15,846 --> 00:26:15,994: in 3275 00:26:15,994 --> 00:26:16,684: chairs 3276 00:26:16,684 --> 00:26:16,924: and 3277 00:26:16,924 --> 00:26:17,164: tell 3278 00:26:17,164 --> 00:26:17,285: them 3279 00:26:17,285 --> 00:26:17,644: about 3280 00:26:17,644 --> 00:26:18,154: whatever 3281 00:26:18,154 --> 00:26:18,305: her 3282 00:26:18,305 --> 00:26:18,875: special 3283 00:26:18,875 --> 00:26:19,325: interest 3284 00:26:19,325 --> 00:26:19,684: was 3285 00:26:19,684 --> 00:26:19,924: for 3286 00:26:19,924 --> 00:26:20,075: the 3287 00:26:20,075 --> 00:26:22,355: week.
Sure, 3288 00:26:22,355 --> 00:26:22,595: she 3289 00:26:22,595 --> 00:26:22,714: would 3290 00:26:22,714 --> 00:26:22,984: also 3291 00:26:22,984 --> 00:26:23,255: send 3292 00:26:23,255 --> 00:26:23,404: out 3293 00:26:23,404 --> 00:26:23,555: the 3294 00:26:23,555 --> 00:26:24,184: occasional 3295 00:26:24,184 --> 00:26:24,994: metapsionic 3296 00:26:24,994 --> 00:26:25,894: pulse — 3297 00:26:25,894 --> 00:26:26,105: one 3298 00:26:26,105 --> 00:26:26,164: of 3299 00:26:26,164 --> 00:26:26,224: the 3300 00:26:26,224 --> 00:26:26,585: defining 3301 00:26:26,585 --> 00:26:27,035: features 3302 00:26:27,035 --> 00:26:27,095: of 3303 00:26:27,095 --> 00:26:27,184: the 3304 00:26:27,184 --> 00:26:27,904: job, 3305 00:26:27,904 --> 00:26:28,085: and 3306 00:26:28,085 --> 00:26:28,144: the 3307 00:26:28,144 --> 00:26:28,595: deciding 3308 00:26:28,595 --> 00:26:29,224: factor 3309 00:26:29,224 --> 00:26:29,464: as 3310 00:26:29,464 --> 00:26:29,555: to 3311 00:26:29,555 --> 00:26:29,765: who 3312 00:26:29,765 --> 00:26:29,944: would 3313 00:26:29,944 --> 00:26:30,154: be 3314 00:26:30,154 --> 00:26:30,694: Mantis 3315 00:26:30,694 --> 00:26:30,845: for 3316 00:26:30,845 --> 00:26:30,934: the 3317 00:26:30,934 --> 00:26:31,954: shift — 3318 00:26:31,954 --> 00:26:32,105: to 3319 00:26:32,105 --> 00:26:32,494: find 3320 00:26:32,494 --> 00:26:32,914: out 3321 00:26:32,914 --> 00:26:33,214: who 3322 00:26:33,214 --> 00:26:33,634: around 3323 00:26:33,634 --> 00:26:33,934: her 3324 00:26:33,934 --> 00:26:34,174: was 3325 00:26:34,174 --> 00:26:34,234: a 3326 00:26:34,234 --> 00:26:35,164: psionics user 3327 00:26:35,164 --> 00:26:35,345: and 3328 00:26:35,345 --> 00:26:35,674: take 3329 00:26:35,674 --> 00:26:36,125: notes 3330 00:26:36,125 --> 00:26:36,454: just 3331 00:26:36,454 --> 00:26:36,605: in 3332 00:26:36,605 --> 00:26:37,505: case, 3333 00:26:37,505 --> 00:26:37,625: but 3334 00:26:37,625 --> 00:26:38,345: mostly, 3335 00:26:38,345 --> 00:26:38,615: she 3336 00:26:38,615 --> 00:26:41,164: just…talked. 3337 00:26:41,164 --> 00:26:41,404: She 3338 00:26:41,404 --> 00:26:41,644: just 3339 00:26:41,644 --> 00:26:42,065: existed 3340 00:26:42,065 --> 00:26:42,214: as 3341 00:26:42,214 --> 00:26:42,244: the 3342 00:26:42,244 --> 00:26:43,954: station’s sibling — 3343 00:26:43,954 --> 00:26:44,194: though 3344 00:26:44,194 --> 00:26:44,674: perhaps 3345 00:26:44,674 --> 00:26:45,005: less 3346 00:26:45,005 --> 00:26:45,214: an 3347 00:26:45,214 --> 00:26:45,575: older 3348 00:26:45,575 --> 00:26:46,474: sibling, 3349 00:26:46,474 --> 00:26:46,684: as 3350 00:26:46,684 --> 00:26:46,954: Soot 3351 00:26:46,954 --> 00:26:47,164: thought 3352 00:26:47,164 --> 00:26:47,255: of 3353 00:26:47,255 --> 00:26:48,545: themself. 3354 00:26:48,545 --> 00:26:48,845: She 3355 00:26:48,845 --> 00:26:49,025: was 3356 00:26:49,025 --> 00:26:49,325: still 3357 00:26:49,325 --> 00:26:50,585: childish, 3358 00:26:50,585 --> 00:26:51,335: still, 3359 00:26:51,335 --> 00:26:51,454: in 3360 00:26:51,454 --> 00:26:51,755: some 3361 00:26:51,755 --> 00:26:52,055: weird 3362 00:26:52,055 --> 00:26:52,535: way 3363 00:26:52,535 --> 00:26:52,835: only 3364 00:26:52,835 --> 00:26:53,285: twelve 3365 00:26:53,285 --> 00:26:53,494: years 3366 00:26:53,494 --> 00:26:53,914: old, 3367 00:26:53,914 --> 00:26:54,305: despite 3368 00:26:54,305 --> 00:26:54,484: this 3369 00:26:54,484 --> 00:26:55,115: twenty-seven 3370 00:26:55,115 --> 00:26:55,204: year 3371 00:26:55,204 --> 00:26:55,384: old 3372 00:26:55,384 --> 00:26:55,770: body 3373 00:26:55,770 --> 00:26:55,984: she 3374 00:26:55,984 --> 00:26:57,214: inhabited. 3375 00:26:57,214 --> 00:27:02,164: She 3376 00:27:02,164 --> 00:27:02,404: just 3377 00:27:02,404 --> 00:27:02,825: mingled 3378 00:27:02,825 --> 00:27:03,005: with 3379 00:27:03,005 --> 00:27:04,174: her ‘family’ 3380 00:27:04,174 --> 00:27:04,355: and 3381 00:27:04,355 --> 00:27:04,654: helped 3382 00:27:04,654 --> 00:27:04,744: how 3383 00:27:04,744 --> 00:27:04,954: she 3384 00:27:04,954 --> 00:27:07,085: could.
Soot 3385 00:27:07,085 --> 00:27:07,325: didn’t 3386 00:27:07,325 --> 00:27:07,505: know 3387 00:27:07,505 --> 00:27:07,595: the 3388 00:27:07,595 --> 00:27:08,704: specifics; 3389 00:27:08,704 --> 00:27:08,914: they 3390 00:27:08,914 --> 00:27:09,305: weren’t a 3391 00:27:09,305 --> 00:27:09,934: doctor 3392 00:27:09,934 --> 00:27:10,055: and 3393 00:27:10,055 --> 00:27:10,295: so 3394 00:27:10,295 --> 00:27:10,474: they 3395 00:27:10,474 --> 00:27:10,775: didn’t 3396 00:27:10,775 --> 00:27:10,984: even 3397 00:27:10,984 --> 00:27:11,525: pretend 3398 00:27:11,525 --> 00:27:12,335: to. 3399 00:27:12,335 --> 00:27:12,575: They 3400 00:27:12,575 --> 00:27:12,724: could 3401 00:27:12,724 --> 00:27:13,115: recite 3402 00:27:13,115 --> 00:27:13,204: the 3403 00:27:13,204 --> 00:27:13,535: proper 3404 00:27:13,535 --> 00:27:14,015: nouns, 3405 00:27:14,015 --> 00:27:14,134: of 3406 00:27:14,134 --> 00:27:14,795: course — 3407 00:27:14,795 --> 00:27:15,575: plurality, 3408 00:27:15,575 --> 00:27:16,144: DID, 3409 00:27:16,144 --> 00:27:17,375: what-have-you — 3410 00:27:17,375 --> 00:27:17,555: but, 3411 00:27:17,555 --> 00:27:17,704: to 3412 00:27:17,704 --> 00:27:18,275: them, 3413 00:27:18,275 --> 00:27:18,634: life 3414 00:27:18,634 --> 00:27:18,815: was 3415 00:27:18,815 --> 00:27:20,944: just…life, 3416 00:27:20,944 --> 00:27:21,154: and 3417 00:27:21,154 --> 00:27:21,214: a 3418 00:27:21,214 --> 00:27:21,815: well-lived 3419 00:27:21,815 --> 00:27:23,464: one.
All 3420 00:27:23,464 --> 00:27:23,615: they 3421 00:27:23,615 --> 00:27:24,125: knew 3422 00:27:24,125 --> 00:27:24,394: was 3423 00:27:24,394 --> 00:27:24,545: that 3424 00:27:24,545 --> 00:27:25,144: sometimes 3425 00:27:25,144 --> 00:27:25,234: they 3426 00:27:25,234 --> 00:27:25,384: were 3427 00:27:25,384 --> 00:27:26,345: Abby, 3428 00:27:26,345 --> 00:27:26,674: that 3429 00:27:26,674 --> 00:27:27,154: remembering 3430 00:27:27,154 --> 00:27:27,454: things 3431 00:27:27,454 --> 00:27:27,545: that 3432 00:27:27,545 --> 00:27:28,025: happened 3433 00:27:28,025 --> 00:27:28,295: while 3434 00:27:28,295 --> 00:27:28,384: they 3435 00:27:28,384 --> 00:27:28,505: were 3436 00:27:28,505 --> 00:27:28,984: Abby 3437 00:27:28,984 --> 00:27:29,224: was 3438 00:27:29,224 --> 00:27:29,404: like 3439 00:27:29,404 --> 00:27:29,734: reading 3440 00:27:29,734 --> 00:27:29,795: a 3441 00:27:29,795 --> 00:27:30,484: story, 3442 00:27:30,484 --> 00:27:31,714: ill-conceived 3443 00:27:31,714 --> 00:27:32,045: and 3444 00:27:32,045 --> 00:27:32,375: more 3445 00:27:32,375 --> 00:27:32,704: often 3446 00:27:32,704 --> 00:27:32,855: than 3447 00:27:32,855 --> 00:27:33,184: not 3448 00:27:33,184 --> 00:27:33,244: a 3449 00:27:33,244 --> 00:27:33,664: picture 3450 00:27:33,664 --> 00:27:34,174: book, 3451 00:27:34,174 --> 00:27:34,744: scant 3452 00:27:34,744 --> 00:27:34,865: on 3453 00:27:34,865 --> 00:27:34,954: the 3454 00:27:34,954 --> 00:27:36,125: details. 3455 00:27:36,125 --> 00:27:36,335: They 3456 00:27:36,335 --> 00:27:36,755: imagined 3457 00:27:36,755 --> 00:27:36,815: it 3458 00:27:36,815 --> 00:27:37,055: must 3459 00:27:37,055 --> 00:27:37,234: feel 3460 00:27:37,234 --> 00:27:37,595: similar 3461 00:27:37,595 --> 00:27:37,714: to 3462 00:27:37,714 --> 00:27:38,015: Abby, 3463 00:27:38,015 --> 00:27:38,795: too: 3464 00:27:38,795 --> 00:27:39,275: perhaps 3465 00:27:39,275 --> 00:27:39,664: remembering 3466 00:27:39,664 --> 00:27:39,785: what 3467 00:27:39,785 --> 00:27:40,174: happened 3468 00:27:40,174 --> 00:27:40,265: to 3469 00:27:40,265 --> 00:27:40,565: her 3470 00:27:40,565 --> 00:27:40,684: as 3471 00:27:40,684 --> 00:27:41,075: Soot 3472 00:27:41,075 --> 00:27:41,255: was 3473 00:27:41,255 --> 00:27:41,555: akin 3474 00:27:41,555 --> 00:27:41,674: to 3475 00:27:41,674 --> 00:27:42,035: remembering 3476 00:27:42,035 --> 00:27:42,095: a 3477 00:27:42,095 --> 00:27:43,744: dream.
Such 3478 00:27:43,744 --> 00:27:44,045: thoughts 3479 00:27:44,045 --> 00:27:44,224: were a 3480 00:27:44,224 --> 00:27:44,644: comfort 3481 00:27:44,644 --> 00:27:44,734: to 3482 00:27:44,734 --> 00:27:45,394: them 3483 00:27:45,394 --> 00:27:45,575: as 3484 00:27:45,575 --> 00:27:45,724: they 3485 00:27:45,724 --> 00:27:46,085: wandered 3486 00:27:46,085 --> 00:27:46,265: from 3487 00:27:46,265 --> 00:27:46,924: department 3488 00:27:46,924 --> 00:27:47,075: to 3489 00:27:47,075 --> 00:27:48,005: department, 3490 00:27:48,005 --> 00:27:48,394: checking 3491 00:27:48,394 --> 00:27:48,515: up 3492 00:27:48,515 --> 00:27:48,634: on 3493 00:27:48,634 --> 00:27:48,694: the 3494 00:27:48,694 --> 00:27:49,474: staff, 3495 00:27:49,474 --> 00:27:49,684: all 3496 00:27:49,684 --> 00:27:49,775: the 3497 00:27:49,775 --> 00:27:50,045: heads 3498 00:27:50,045 --> 00:27:50,164: of 3499 00:27:50,164 --> 00:27:50,914: each, from the 3500 00:27:50,914 --> 00:27:51,515: mystagogue, 3501 00:27:51,515 --> 00:27:52,265: Cleo, 3502 00:27:52,265 --> 00:27:52,353: to 3503 00:27:52,353 --> 00:27:52,444: the 3504 00:27:52,444 --> 00:27:52,775: chief 3505 00:27:52,775 --> 00:27:53,105: medical 3506 00:27:53,105 --> 00:27:53,585: officer, 3507 00:27:53,585 --> 00:27:53,974: Dr. 3508 00:27:53,974 --> 00:27:55,894: R.
Gilbert 3509 00:27:55,894 --> 00:27:56,644: Rosenthal 3510 00:27:56,644 --> 00:27:57,664: was — 3511 00:27:57,664 --> 00:27:57,904: had 3512 00:27:57,904 --> 00:27:58,295: always 3513 00:27:58,295 --> 00:27:58,984: been — 3514 00:27:58,984 --> 00:27:59,134: the 3515 00:27:59,134 --> 00:27:59,375: type 3516 00:27:59,375 --> 00:27:59,464: of 3517 00:27:59,464 --> 00:27:59,825: command 3518 00:27:59,825 --> 00:28:00,154: staff 3519 00:28:00,154 --> 00:28:00,570: that Soot 3520 00:28:00,570 --> 00:28:00,815: looked 3521 00:28:00,815 --> 00:28:00,994: up 3522 00:28:00,994 --> 00:28:01,835: to. 3523 00:28:01,835 --> 00:28:02,464: Efficient 3524 00:28:02,464 --> 00:28:02,765: without 3525 00:28:02,765 --> 00:28:03,005: being 3526 00:28:03,005 --> 00:28:03,964: brusque. 3527 00:28:03,964 --> 00:28:04,414: Calm 3528 00:28:04,414 --> 00:28:04,654: under 3529 00:28:04,654 --> 00:28:05,105: pressure 3530 00:28:05,105 --> 00:28:05,375: without 3531 00:28:05,375 --> 00:28:05,644: coming 3532 00:28:05,644 --> 00:28:05,825: off 3533 00:28:05,825 --> 00:28:05,944: as 3534 00:28:05,944 --> 00:28:07,174: carefree. 3535 00:28:07,174 --> 00:28:07,894: Friendly, 3536 00:28:07,894 --> 00:28:08,585: kind, 3537 00:28:08,585 --> 00:28:09,934: likable. 3538 00:28:09,934 --> 00:28:10,204: His 3539 00:28:10,204 --> 00:28:10,744: bedside 3540 00:28:10,744 --> 00:28:11,375: manner 3541 00:28:11,375 --> 00:28:11,624: was 3542 00:28:11,624 --> 00:28:11,702: as 3543 00:28:11,702 --> 00:28:12,125: suitable 3544 00:28:12,125 --> 00:28:12,275: for 3545 00:28:12,275 --> 00:28:12,845: children 3546 00:28:12,845 --> 00:28:13,025: as 3547 00:28:13,025 --> 00:28:13,085: it 3548 00:28:13,085 --> 00:28:13,325: was 3549 00:28:13,325 --> 00:28:13,414: for 3550 00:28:13,414 --> 00:28:14,045: cantankerous 3551 00:28:14,045 --> 00:28:14,285: heads 3552 00:28:14,285 --> 00:28:15,424: of security, and 3553 00:28:15,424 --> 00:28:15,515: his 3554 00:28:15,515 --> 00:28:15,934: skills in 3555 00:28:15,934 --> 00:28:16,384: management 3556 00:28:16,384 --> 00:28:16,535: were 3557 00:28:16,535 --> 00:28:16,924: so 3558 00:28:16,924 --> 00:28:17,345: honed 3559 00:28:17,345 --> 00:28:17,585: as 3560 00:28:17,585 --> 00:28:17,704: to 3561 00:28:17,704 --> 00:28:17,914: be 3562 00:28:17,914 --> 00:28:18,154: all 3563 00:28:18,154 --> 00:28:18,305: but 3564 00:28:18,305 --> 00:28:19,444: invisible. 3565 00:28:19,444 --> 00:28:19,565: The 3566 00:28:19,565 --> 00:28:19,954: medical 3567 00:28:19,954 --> 00:28:20,525: department 3568 00:28:20,525 --> 00:28:20,765: under 3569 00:28:20,765 --> 00:28:21,005: his 3570 00:28:21,005 --> 00:28:21,454: eye 3571 00:28:21,454 --> 00:28:22,295: just 3572 00:28:22,295 --> 00:28:23,914: worked.
Soot 3573 00:28:23,914 --> 00:28:24,305: could not 3574 00:28:24,305 --> 00:28:24,454: but 3575 00:28:24,454 --> 00:28:24,664: make 3576 00:28:24,664 --> 00:28:24,964: sure 3577 00:28:24,964 --> 00:28:25,115: they 3578 00:28:25,115 --> 00:28:25,474: stopped 3579 00:28:25,474 --> 00:28:25,924: by 3580 00:28:25,924 --> 00:28:26,105: at 3581 00:28:26,105 --> 00:28:26,404: least 3582 00:28:26,404 --> 00:28:26,704: once 3583 00:28:26,704 --> 00:28:26,825: an 3584 00:28:26,825 --> 00:28:27,244: hour 3585 00:28:27,244 --> 00:28:27,394: to 3586 00:28:27,394 --> 00:28:27,724: check 3587 00:28:27,724 --> 00:28:28,595: in. 3588 00:28:28,595 --> 00:28:28,775: They 3589 00:28:28,775 --> 00:28:29,075: helped 3590 00:28:29,075 --> 00:28:29,224: as 3591 00:28:29,224 --> 00:28:29,375: they 3592 00:28:29,375 --> 00:28:29,734: could, 3593 00:28:29,734 --> 00:28:29,855: of 3594 00:28:29,855 --> 00:28:30,575: course (did 3595 00:28:30,575 --> 00:28:30,694: they 3596 00:28:30,694 --> 00:28:30,785: have 3597 00:28:30,785 --> 00:28:35,285: a cleanbot? How were they on Pyrazine? A ChemVend restock already?), 3598 00:28:35,285 --> 00:28:35,464: but 3599 00:28:35,464 --> 00:28:35,585: they 3600 00:28:35,585 --> 00:28:35,884: made 3601 00:28:35,884 --> 00:28:36,065: sure 3602 00:28:36,065 --> 00:28:36,214: to get 3603 00:28:36,214 --> 00:28:36,305: at 3604 00:28:36,305 --> 00:28:36,724: least 3605 00:28:36,724 --> 00:28:36,785: a 3606 00:28:36,785 --> 00:28:37,115: few 3607 00:28:37,115 --> 00:28:37,505: words 3608 00:28:37,505 --> 00:28:37,684: in 3609 00:28:37,684 --> 00:28:37,835: with 3610 00:28:37,835 --> 00:28:38,255: Dr. 3611 00:28:38,255 --> 00:28:38,644: R 3612 00:28:38,644 --> 00:28:38,914: each 3613 00:28:38,914 --> 00:28:39,694: time, 3614 00:28:39,694 --> 00:28:39,934: and 3615 00:28:39,934 --> 00:28:40,204: each 3616 00:28:40,204 --> 00:28:40,684: time, 3617 00:28:40,684 --> 00:28:40,894: they 3618 00:28:40,894 --> 00:28:41,525: realized 3619 00:28:41,525 --> 00:28:41,884: yet 3620 00:28:41,884 --> 00:28:42,424: more 3621 00:28:42,424 --> 00:28:42,755: just 3622 00:28:42,755 --> 00:28:42,964: how 3623 00:28:42,964 --> 00:28:43,265: much 3624 00:28:43,265 --> 00:28:43,414: they 3625 00:28:43,414 --> 00:28:43,595: would 3626 00:28:43,595 --> 00:28:43,835: miss 3627 00:28:43,835 --> 00:28:43,984: their 3628 00:28:43,984 --> 00:28:45,755: friend.
It 3629 00:28:45,755 --> 00:28:45,904: was 3630 00:28:45,904 --> 00:28:46,174: during 3631 00:28:46,174 --> 00:28:46,295: one 3632 00:28:46,295 --> 00:28:46,384: of 3633 00:28:46,384 --> 00:28:46,565: these 3634 00:28:46,565 --> 00:28:47,045: visits, 3635 00:28:47,045 --> 00:28:47,224: while 3636 00:28:47,224 --> 00:28:47,315: they 3637 00:28:47,315 --> 00:28:47,404: were 3638 00:28:47,404 --> 00:28:47,734: chatting 3639 00:28:47,734 --> 00:28:47,884: with 3640 00:28:47,884 --> 00:28:48,694: Dr. R, 3641 00:28:48,694 --> 00:28:49,055: catching 3642 00:28:49,055 --> 00:28:49,204: up 3643 00:28:49,204 --> 00:28:49,325: on 3644 00:28:49,325 --> 00:28:49,483: how 3645 00:28:49,483 --> 00:28:49,625: his 3646 00:28:49,625 --> 00:28:49,865: final 3647 00:28:49,865 --> 00:28:50,015: day 3648 00:28:50,015 --> 00:28:50,194: was 3649 00:28:50,194 --> 00:28:50,914: going, 3650 00:28:50,914 --> 00:28:51,095: that 3651 00:28:51,095 --> 00:28:51,424: Soot 3652 00:28:51,424 --> 00:28:51,605: let 3653 00:28:51,605 --> 00:28:51,815: out 3654 00:28:51,815 --> 00:28:51,845: a 3655 00:28:51,845 --> 00:28:52,384: stifled 3656 00:28:52,384 --> 00:28:53,015: cry 3657 00:28:53,015 --> 00:28:53,224: and 3658 00:28:53,224 --> 00:28:55,325: fell.
Everyone 3659 00:28:55,325 --> 00:28:56,494: fell. 3660 00:28:56,494 --> 00:28:56,795: All 3661 00:28:56,795 --> 00:28:57,125: those 3662 00:28:57,125 --> 00:28:57,214: who 3663 00:28:57,214 --> 00:28:57,305: had 3664 00:28:57,305 --> 00:28:57,454: been 3665 00:28:57,454 --> 00:28:57,994: standing 3666 00:28:57,994 --> 00:28:58,625: stumbled 3667 00:28:58,625 --> 00:28:58,714: to 3668 00:28:58,714 --> 00:28:58,805: the 3669 00:28:58,805 --> 00:28:59,555: side 3670 00:28:59,555 --> 00:28:59,765: and 3671 00:28:59,765 --> 00:29:00,394: crumpled 3672 00:29:00,394 --> 00:29:00,634: as 3673 00:29:00,634 --> 00:29:00,785: though 3674 00:29:00,785 --> 00:29:01,295: gravity 3675 00:29:01,295 --> 00:29:01,505: had 3676 00:29:01,505 --> 00:29:01,924: suddenly 3677 00:29:01,924 --> 00:29:03,005: shifted. 3678 00:29:03,005 --> 00:29:03,154: It 3679 00:29:03,154 --> 00:29:03,335: had 3680 00:29:03,335 --> 00:29:03,605: all 3681 00:29:03,605 --> 00:29:03,694: the 3682 00:29:03,694 --> 00:29:04,025: sudden 3683 00:29:04,025 --> 00:29:04,444: panic 3684 00:29:04,444 --> 00:29:04,595: and 3685 00:29:04,595 --> 00:29:04,865: jolt 3686 00:29:04,865 --> 00:29:04,984: to 3687 00:29:04,984 --> 00:29:05,285: one’s 3688 00:29:05,285 --> 00:29:05,734: understanding 3689 00:29:05,734 --> 00:29:05,825: of 3690 00:29:05,825 --> 00:29:05,914: the 3691 00:29:05,914 --> 00:29:06,515: world 3692 00:29:06,515 --> 00:29:06,694: as 3693 00:29:06,694 --> 00:29:06,904: going 3694 00:29:06,904 --> 00:29:07,055: down 3695 00:29:07,055 --> 00:29:07,115: a 3696 00:29:07,115 --> 00:29:07,625: staircase 3697 00:29:07,625 --> 00:29:07,714: in 3698 00:29:07,714 --> 00:29:07,775: the 3699 00:29:07,775 --> 00:29:08,315: dark 3700 00:29:08,315 --> 00:29:08,434: and 3701 00:29:08,434 --> 00:29:08,825: discovering 3702 00:29:08,825 --> 00:29:09,095: there is 3703 00:29:09,095 --> 00:29:09,365: one 3704 00:29:09,365 --> 00:29:09,575: more 3705 00:29:09,575 --> 00:29:09,964: step 3706 00:29:09,964 --> 00:29:10,144: than 3707 00:29:10,144 --> 00:29:10,325: one 3708 00:29:10,325 --> 00:29:12,125: expected.
It 3709 00:29:12,125 --> 00:29:12,694: was 3710 00:29:12,694 --> 00:29:12,994: by 3711 00:29:12,994 --> 00:29:13,894: its sudden decrease 3712 00:29:13,894 --> 00:29:14,045: that 3713 00:29:14,045 --> 00:29:14,345: Soot 3714 00:29:14,345 --> 00:29:14,795: noticed 3715 00:29:14,795 --> 00:29:14,914: the 3716 00:29:14,914 --> 00:29:15,515: tang 3717 00:29:15,515 --> 00:29:15,634: of 3718 00:29:15,634 --> 00:29:15,934: high 3719 00:29:15,934 --> 00:29:16,325: glimmer 3720 00:29:16,325 --> 00:29:16,414: in 3721 00:29:16,414 --> 00:29:16,535: the 3722 00:29:16,535 --> 00:29:17,525: air. 3723 00:29:17,525 --> 00:29:18,005: Perhaps 3724 00:29:18,005 --> 00:29:18,065: the 3725 00:29:18,065 --> 00:29:18,363: scent 3726 00:29:18,363 --> 00:29:18,484: was 3727 00:29:18,484 --> 00:29:18,815: merely a 3728 00:29:18,815 --> 00:29:20,345: confabulation — 3729 00:29:20,345 --> 00:29:20,704: Cleo 3730 00:29:20,704 --> 00:29:20,884: had 3731 00:29:20,884 --> 00:29:21,394: explained 3732 00:29:21,394 --> 00:29:21,484: that 3733 00:29:21,484 --> 00:29:21,785: she’d 3734 00:29:21,785 --> 00:29:22,055: never 3735 00:29:22,055 --> 00:29:22,384: heard 3736 00:29:22,384 --> 00:29:22,474: of 3737 00:29:22,474 --> 00:29:22,684: glimmer 3738 00:29:22,684 --> 00:29:23,015: having 3739 00:29:23,015 --> 00:29:23,045: a 3740 00:29:23,045 --> 00:29:23,404: scent 3741 00:29:23,404 --> 00:29:25,325: associated with it — but they’d seen 3742 00:29:25,325 --> 00:29:25,505: no 3743 00:29:25,505 --> 00:29:25,744: reason 3744 00:29:25,744 --> 00:29:25,835: to 3745 00:29:25,835 --> 00:29:25,984: set 3746 00:29:25,984 --> 00:29:26,045: it 3747 00:29:26,045 --> 00:29:27,394: aside. 3748 00:29:27,394 --> 00:29:27,605: To 3749 00:29:27,605 --> 00:29:28,325: them, 3750 00:29:28,325 --> 00:29:28,474: it 3751 00:29:28,474 --> 00:29:28,684: was 3752 00:29:28,684 --> 00:29:29,555: sour 3753 00:29:29,555 --> 00:29:29,704: and 3754 00:29:29,704 --> 00:29:31,085: metallic. 3755 00:29:31,085 --> 00:29:31,265: It 3756 00:29:31,265 --> 00:29:31,535: made 3757 00:29:31,535 --> 00:29:31,654: their 3758 00:29:31,654 --> 00:29:32,255: whiskers 3759 00:29:32,255 --> 00:29:33,005: bristle 3760 00:29:33,005 --> 00:29:33,125: and 3761 00:29:33,125 --> 00:29:33,214: their 3762 00:29:33,214 --> 00:29:33,724: hackles 3763 00:29:33,724 --> 00:29:34,384: raise, 3764 00:29:34,384 --> 00:29:34,654: as 3765 00:29:34,654 --> 00:29:34,835: they 3766 00:29:34,835 --> 00:29:35,075: were 3767 00:29:35,075 --> 00:29:36,964: now.
Sure 3768 00:29:36,964 --> 00:29:37,595: enough, 3769 00:29:37,595 --> 00:29:37,954: within 3770 00:29:37,954 --> 00:29:38,704: moments, 3771 00:29:38,704 --> 00:29:38,974: the 3772 00:29:38,974 --> 00:29:39,664: ever-calm 3773 00:29:39,664 --> 00:29:40,144: voice 3774 00:29:40,144 --> 00:29:40,234: of 3775 00:29:40,234 --> 00:29:40,325: the 3776 00:29:40,325 --> 00:29:42,454: sophic grammateus whispered 3777 00:29:42,454 --> 00:29:42,634: over 3778 00:29:42,634 --> 00:29:45,005: comms, “Noöspheric 3779 00:29:45,005 --> 00:29:45,678: discharge 3780 00:29:45,678 --> 00:29:46,744: detected. 3781 00:29:46,744 --> 00:29:47,045: Glimmer 3782 00:29:47,045 --> 00:29:47,375: level 3783 00:29:47,375 --> 00:29:47,615: has 3784 00:29:47,615 --> 00:29:53,944: decreased by 43 to 428Ψ.”
No no no… 3785 00:29:53,944 --> 00:29:54,035: a 3786 00:29:54,035 --> 00:29:54,305: little 3787 00:29:54,305 --> 00:29:54,664: voice 3788 00:29:54,664 --> 00:29:55,025: spoke 3789 00:29:55,025 --> 00:29:55,355: within 3790 00:29:55,355 --> 00:29:56,015: them. 3791 00:29:56,015 --> 00:29:56,375: No 3792 00:29:56,375 --> 00:29:56,674: no 3793 00:29:56,674 --> 00:29:56,974: no 3794 00:29:56,974 --> 00:29:59,017: no…
They pressed 3795 00:29:59,017 --> 00:29:59,102: the 3796 00:29:59,102 --> 00:29:59,434: voice 3797 00:29:59,434 --> 00:30:00,095: gently 3798 00:30:00,095 --> 00:30:00,275: but 3799 00:30:00,275 --> 00:30:01,025: insistently 3800 00:30:01,025 --> 00:30:01,805: down, 3801 00:30:01,805 --> 00:30:02,285: offering 3802 00:30:02,285 --> 00:30:02,464: what 3803 00:30:02,464 --> 00:30:02,795: love 3804 00:30:02,795 --> 00:30:02,944: they 3805 00:30:02,944 --> 00:30:03,305: could 3806 00:30:03,305 --> 00:30:03,424: to 3807 00:30:03,424 --> 00:30:03,515: the 3808 00:30:03,515 --> 00:30:03,785: one 3809 00:30:03,785 --> 00:30:03,875: who 3810 00:30:03,875 --> 00:30:04,234: spoke 3811 00:30:04,234 --> 00:30:04,444: those 3812 00:30:04,444 --> 00:30:05,494: words. 3813 00:30:05,494 --> 00:30:05,704: It’s 3814 00:30:05,704 --> 00:30:06,125: alright, 3815 00:30:06,125 --> 00:30:06,724: it’s 3816 00:30:06,724 --> 00:30:07,414: okay. 3817 00:30:07,414 --> 00:30:07,565: We 3818 00:30:07,565 --> 00:30:07,894: have to 3819 00:30:07,894 --> 00:30:08,765: work. 3820 00:30:08,765 --> 00:30:08,974: It’s 3821 00:30:08,974 --> 00:30:09,964: alright, 3822 00:30:09,964 --> 00:30:10,204: it’s 3823 00:30:10,204 --> 00:30:12,154: okay.
“I 3824 00:30:12,154 --> 00:30:12,394: have 3825 00:30:12,394 --> 00:30:12,484: to 3826 00:30:12,484 --> 00:30:12,575: go 3827 00:30:12,575 --> 00:30:12,694: to 3828 00:30:12,694 --> 00:30:13,325: epi,” 3829 00:30:13,325 --> 00:30:13,505: they 3830 00:30:13,505 --> 00:30:13,805: said 3831 00:30:13,805 --> 00:30:14,525: briskly, 3832 00:30:14,525 --> 00:30:14,974: dusting 3833 00:30:14,974 --> 00:30:15,125: off 3834 00:30:15,125 --> 00:30:15,225: their 3835 00:30:15,225 --> 00:30:16,984: uniform.
“Of 3836 00:30:16,984 --> 00:30:17,704: course, 3837 00:30:17,704 --> 00:30:18,424: Soot. 3838 00:30:18,424 --> 00:30:19,204: Hey–” 3839 00:30:19,204 --> 00:30:19,632: Dr. R 3840 00:30:19,632 --> 00:30:19,954: reached 3841 00:30:19,954 --> 00:30:20,255: out, 3842 00:30:20,255 --> 00:30:20,825: snagged 3843 00:30:20,825 --> 00:30:20,974: one 3844 00:30:20,974 --> 00:30:21,065: of 3845 00:30:21,065 --> 00:30:21,125: the 3846 00:30:21,125 --> 00:30:21,575: mouse’s 3847 00:30:21,575 --> 00:30:21,964: paws 3848 00:30:21,964 --> 00:30:22,204: before 3849 00:30:22,204 --> 00:30:22,325: they 3850 00:30:22,325 --> 00:30:22,474: could 3851 00:30:22,474 --> 00:30:22,775: simply 3852 00:30:22,775 --> 00:30:23,075: dash 3853 00:30:23,075 --> 00:30:24,005: away, 3854 00:30:24,005 --> 00:30:24,293: eyes 3855 00:30:24,293 --> 00:30:24,694: searching 3856 00:30:24,694 --> 00:30:24,845: their 3857 00:30:24,845 --> 00:30:26,615: face. “You 3858 00:30:26,615 --> 00:30:26,855: going to 3859 00:30:26,855 --> 00:30:27,035: be 3860 00:30:27,035 --> 00:30:28,775: okay?”
They 3861 00:30:28,775 --> 00:30:29,134: nodded 3862 00:30:29,134 --> 00:30:30,095: curtly, 3863 00:30:30,095 --> 00:30:30,724: realized 3864 00:30:30,724 --> 00:30:30,815: the 3865 00:30:30,815 --> 00:30:31,144: lack 3866 00:30:31,144 --> 00:30:31,204: of 3867 00:30:31,204 --> 00:30:31,835: reassurance 3868 00:30:31,835 --> 00:30:31,895: in 3869 00:30:31,895 --> 00:30:31,954: the 3870 00:30:31,954 --> 00:30:33,980: gesture, and smiled. 3871 00:30:33,980 --> 00:30:34,460: They gave 3872 00:30:34,460 --> 00:30:34,640: that 3873 00:30:34,640 --> 00:30:34,940: hand 3874 00:30:34,940 --> 00:30:34,999: a 3875 00:30:34,999 --> 00:30:35,750: squeeze, 3876 00:30:35,750 --> 00:30:36,109: pulled 3877 00:30:36,109 --> 00:30:36,859: free, 3878 00:30:36,859 --> 00:30:37,039: and 3879 00:30:37,039 --> 00:30:37,400: jogged 3880 00:30:37,400 --> 00:30:37,640: from 3881 00:30:37,640 --> 00:30:38,420: med, 3882 00:30:38,420 --> 00:30:38,750: heading 3883 00:30:38,750 --> 00:30:39,140: down 3884 00:30:39,140 --> 00:30:40,009: station-south 3885 00:30:40,009 --> 00:30:43,250: toward epistemics.
“Captain!” 3886 00:30:43,250 --> 00:30:43,639: Cleo 3887 00:30:43,639 --> 00:30:44,000: called 3888 00:30:44,000 --> 00:30:44,240: before 3889 00:30:44,240 --> 00:30:44,480: they 3890 00:30:44,480 --> 00:30:44,779: even 3891 00:30:44,779 --> 00:30:45,230: reached the 3892 00:30:45,230 --> 00:30:47,029: windoor. “Prober’s 3893 00:30:47,029 --> 00:30:47,660: off — 3894 00:30:47,660 --> 00:30:47,960: has 3895 00:30:47,960 --> 00:30:48,140: been 3896 00:30:48,140 --> 00:30:48,321: for 3897 00:30:48,321 --> 00:30:48,349: a 3898 00:30:48,349 --> 00:30:48,619: few 3899 00:30:48,619 --> 00:30:49,009: minutes 3900 00:30:49,009 --> 00:30:49,609: now — 3901 00:30:49,609 --> 00:30:49,789: and 3902 00:30:49,789 --> 00:30:50,029: all 3903 00:30:50,029 --> 00:30:50,480: research 3904 00:30:50,480 --> 00:30:50,569: is 3905 00:30:50,569 --> 00:30:54,950: stopped.”
“Psionics?”
“Whispers-to-Ghosts 3906 00:30:54,950 --> 00:30:55,130: is 3907 00:30:55,130 --> 00:30:55,400: out 3908 00:30:55,400 --> 00:30:55,910: now 3909 00:30:55,910 --> 00:30:58,789: but…well…”
Soot 3910 00:30:58,789 --> 00:31:01,009: frowned.
“Well, 3911 00:31:01,009 --> 00:31:01,130: we 3912 00:31:01,130 --> 00:31:01,369: haven’t 3913 00:31:01,369 --> 00:31:01,549: heard 3914 00:31:01,549 --> 00:31:01,674: from 3915 00:31:01,674 --> 00:31:01,754: it 3916 00:31:01,754 --> 00:31:01,819: in 3917 00:31:01,819 --> 00:31:01,880: a 3918 00:31:01,880 --> 00:31:02,089: little 3919 00:31:02,089 --> 00:31:02,779: bit. 3920 00:31:02,779 --> 00:31:02,930: The 3921 00:31:02,930 --> 00:31:03,419: parameds 3922 00:31:03,419 --> 00:31:03,500: are 3923 00:31:03,500 --> 00:31:03,710: doing 3924 00:31:03,710 --> 00:31:03,769: a 3925 00:31:03,769 --> 00:31:04,069: sweep 3926 00:31:04,069 --> 00:31:04,309: for 3927 00:31:04,309 --> 00:31:04,400: it 3928 00:31:04,400 --> 00:31:07,609: now.”
“Concerning,” 3929 00:31:07,609 --> 00:31:07,789: they 3930 00:31:07,789 --> 00:31:08,809: mumbled. 3931 00:31:08,809 --> 00:31:08,990: That 3932 00:31:08,990 --> 00:31:09,079: the 3933 00:31:09,079 --> 00:31:09,589: Mantis 3934 00:31:09,589 --> 00:31:09,740: was 3935 00:31:09,740 --> 00:31:10,190: missing 3936 00:31:10,190 --> 00:31:10,400: during 3937 00:31:10,400 --> 00:31:10,519: what 3938 00:31:10,519 --> 00:31:10,819: appeared 3939 00:31:10,819 --> 00:31:10,910: to 3940 00:31:10,910 --> 00:31:11,000: be 3941 00:31:11,000 --> 00:31:11,029: a 3942 00:31:11,029 --> 00:31:11,450: spike 3943 00:31:11,450 --> 00:31:11,569: in 3944 00:31:11,569 --> 00:31:12,259: glimmer 3945 00:31:12,259 --> 00:31:12,470: was 3946 00:31:12,470 --> 00:31:12,680: not 3947 00:31:12,680 --> 00:31:12,740: a 3948 00:31:12,740 --> 00:31:13,250: positive 3949 00:31:13,250 --> 00:31:15,619: sign.
Soot 3950 00:31:15,619 --> 00:31:16,369: what’s– 3951 00:31:16,369 --> 00:31:17,059: Memories 3952 00:31:17,059 --> 00:31:17,269: of 3953 00:31:17,269 --> 00:31:17,720: Abby 3954 00:31:17,720 --> 00:31:18,170: tugged 3955 00:31:18,170 --> 00:31:18,289: at 3956 00:31:18,289 --> 00:31:19,069: them. 3957 00:31:19,069 --> 00:31:19,190: The 3958 00:31:19,190 --> 00:31:19,519: part 3959 00:31:19,519 --> 00:31:19,609: of 3960 00:31:19,609 --> 00:31:19,849: them 3961 00:31:19,849 --> 00:31:20,089: who 3962 00:31:20,089 --> 00:31:20,420: still was 3963 00:31:20,420 --> 00:31:21,230: Abby — 3964 00:31:21,230 --> 00:31:21,500: not 3965 00:31:21,500 --> 00:31:21,920: Captain 3966 00:31:21,920 --> 00:31:23,119: Abigail “Soot” 3967 00:31:23,119 --> 00:31:23,990: Dale, 3968 00:31:23,990 --> 00:31:24,289: but 3969 00:31:24,289 --> 00:31:25,039: Abby — 3970 00:31:25,039 --> 00:31:25,400: started 3971 00:31:25,400 --> 00:31:25,460: to 3972 00:31:25,460 --> 00:31:25,849: press 3973 00:31:25,849 --> 00:31:26,210: more 3974 00:31:26,210 --> 00:31:26,930: insistently 3975 00:31:26,930 --> 00:31:27,079: to 3976 00:31:27,079 --> 00:31:27,170: the 3977 00:31:27,170 --> 00:31:28,130: front. 3978 00:31:28,130 --> 00:31:28,369: They 3979 00:31:28,369 --> 00:31:28,490: were 3980 00:31:28,490 --> 00:31:28,910: Soot 3981 00:31:28,910 --> 00:31:29,539: now. 3982 00:31:29,539 --> 00:31:29,839: They 3983 00:31:29,839 --> 00:31:30,380: had 3984 00:31:30,380 --> 00:31:30,500: to 3985 00:31:30,500 --> 00:31:30,619: be 3986 00:31:30,619 --> 00:31:30,920: Soot 3987 00:31:30,920 --> 00:31:31,819: now. 3988 00:31:31,819 --> 00:31:32,180: Abby 3989 00:31:32,180 --> 00:31:32,329: could 3990 00:31:32,329 --> 00:31:32,750: return 3991 00:31:32,750 --> 00:31:32,960: to 3992 00:31:32,960 --> 00:31:33,529: front 3993 00:31:33,529 --> 00:31:33,920: after 3994 00:31:33,920 --> 00:31:34,009: the 3995 00:31:34,009 --> 00:31:36,109: shift.
Shush, 3996 00:31:36,109 --> 00:31:36,319: it’ll 3997 00:31:36,319 --> 00:31:36,470: be 3998 00:31:36,470 --> 00:31:37,400: okay. 3999 00:31:37,400 --> 00:31:37,640: It’ll 4000 00:31:37,640 --> 00:31:37,819: be 4001 00:31:37,819 --> 00:31:38,720: alright, 4002 00:31:38,720 --> 00:31:38,900: they 4003 00:31:38,900 --> 00:31:39,410: promised 4004 00:31:39,410 --> 00:31:40,309: her, 4005 00:31:40,309 --> 00:31:40,819: promised 4006 00:31:40,819 --> 00:31:42,799: themself.
They 4007 00:31:42,799 --> 00:31:43,309: toggled 4008 00:31:43,309 --> 00:31:43,430: their 4009 00:31:43,430 --> 00:31:43,910: comms 4010 00:31:43,910 --> 00:31:44,000: to 4011 00:31:44,000 --> 00:31:44,089: the 4012 00:31:44,089 --> 00:31:44,329: med 4013 00:31:44,329 --> 00:31:46,730: channel. “Med, 4014 00:31:46,730 --> 00:31:47,359: status 4015 00:31:47,359 --> 00:31:47,599: on 4016 00:31:47,599 --> 00:31:49,190: Whispers-to-Ghosts?” 4017 00:31:49,190 --> 00:31:49,369: they 4018 00:31:49,369 --> 00:31:49,970: murmured, 4019 00:31:49,970 --> 00:31:50,599: striving 4020 00:31:50,599 --> 00:31:50,720: to 4021 00:31:50,720 --> 00:31:51,230: pronounce 4022 00:31:51,230 --> 00:31:51,319: the 4023 00:31:51,319 --> 00:31:52,130: sibilants 4024 00:31:52,130 --> 00:31:55,880: in the Mantis’s name.
“Crit in maints,” came 4025 00:31:55,880 --> 00:31:56,059: the 4026 00:31:56,059 --> 00:31:56,569: breathless 4027 00:31:56,569 --> 00:31:57,019: hiss 4028 00:31:57,019 --> 00:31:57,109: of 4029 00:31:57,109 --> 00:31:57,230: the 4030 00:31:57,230 --> 00:31:57,769: voice 4031 00:31:57,769 --> 00:31:57,920: of 4032 00:31:57,920 --> 00:31:59,240: Drags-the-Bodies, 4033 00:31:59,240 --> 00:31:59,450: one 4034 00:31:59,450 --> 00:31:59,509: of 4035 00:31:59,509 --> 00:31:59,569: the 4036 00:31:59,569 --> 00:32:02,359: paramedics. “Stable. 4037 00:32:02,359 --> 00:32:03,140: Halfway 4038 00:32:03,140 --> 00:32:03,380: to 4039 00:32:03,380 --> 00:32:03,500: the 4040 00:32:03,500 --> 00:32:07,970: bay.”
“Shit.”
“What?”
They 4041 00:32:07,970 --> 00:32:08,450: frowned 4042 00:32:08,450 --> 00:32:08,690: over 4043 00:32:08,690 --> 00:32:08,809: to 4044 00:32:08,809 --> 00:32:08,900: the 4045 00:32:08,900 --> 00:32:13,250: mystagogue. “Whispers was downed in maints. I’ll keep you up to date 4046 00:32:13,250 --> 00:32:13,369: on 4047 00:32:13,369 --> 00:32:13,759: command 4048 00:32:13,759 --> 00:32:14,750: comms.” 4049 00:32:14,750 --> 00:32:14,930: With 4050 00:32:14,930 --> 00:32:15,170: another 4051 00:32:15,170 --> 00:32:15,440: quick 4052 00:32:15,440 --> 00:32:16,099: tap, 4053 00:32:16,099 --> 00:32:16,308: they 4054 00:32:16,308 --> 00:32:16,690: switched 4055 00:32:16,690 --> 00:32:16,759: to 4056 00:32:16,759 --> 00:32:16,880: the 4057 00:32:16,880 --> 00:32:17,269: command 4058 00:32:17,269 --> 00:32:17,869: channel 4059 00:32:17,869 --> 00:32:17,990: and 4060 00:32:17,990 --> 00:32:18,559: continued 4061 00:32:18,559 --> 00:32:21,170: smoothly. “AI, 4062 00:32:21,170 --> 00:32:21,414: move 4063 00:32:21,414 --> 00:32:21,529: us 4064 00:32:21,529 --> 00:32:21,650: to 4065 00:32:21,650 --> 00:32:24,500: blue.”
“Understood,” 4066 00:32:24,500 --> 00:32:24,710: came 4067 00:32:24,710 --> 00:32:24,829: the 4068 00:32:24,829 --> 00:32:25,339: whispered 4069 00:32:25,339 --> 00:32:26,930: reply.
The 4070 00:32:26,930 --> 00:32:27,619: station’s 4071 00:32:27,619 --> 00:32:28,009: alert 4072 00:32:28,009 --> 00:32:28,369: status 4073 00:32:28,369 --> 00:32:28,579: has 4074 00:32:28,579 --> 00:32:28,730: been 4075 00:32:28,730 --> 00:32:29,000: set 4076 00:32:29,000 --> 00:32:29,150: to 4077 00:32:29,150 --> 00:32:30,140: blue. 4078 00:32:30,140 --> 00:32:30,349: There 4079 00:32:30,349 --> 00:32:30,470: is 4080 00:32:30,470 --> 00:32:30,680: an 4081 00:32:30,680 --> 00:32:31,519: ongoing, 4082 00:32:31,519 --> 00:32:32,089: known, 4083 00:32:32,089 --> 00:32:32,359: or 4084 00:32:32,359 --> 00:32:32,960: suspected 4085 00:32:32,960 --> 00:32:33,410: security 4086 00:32:33,410 --> 00:32:33,769: threat 4087 00:32:33,769 --> 00:32:33,890: to 4088 00:32:33,890 --> 00:32:33,980: the 4089 00:32:33,980 --> 00:32:34,579: station 4090 00:32:34,579 --> 00:32:34,789: or 4091 00:32:34,789 --> 00:32:35,000: its 4092 00:32:35,000 --> 00:32:36,079: crew, 4093 00:32:36,079 --> 00:32:36,319: or 4094 00:32:36,319 --> 00:32:36,710: another 4095 00:32:36,710 --> 00:32:37,460: significant 4096 00:32:37,460 --> 00:32:38,059: security 4097 00:32:38,059 --> 00:32:39,349: emergency. 4098 00:32:39,349 --> 00:32:40,099: Crewmembers 4099 00:32:40,099 --> 00:32:40,279: are 4100 00:32:40,279 --> 00:32:40,789: advised 4101 00:32:40,789 --> 00:32:40,910: to 4102 00:32:40,910 --> 00:32:41,269: follow 4103 00:32:41,269 --> 00:32:41,930: commands 4104 00:32:41,930 --> 00:32:42,440: issued 4105 00:32:42,440 --> 00:32:42,740: by 4106 00:32:42,740 --> 00:32:43,160: any 4107 00:32:43,160 --> 00:32:43,819: relevant 4108 00:32:43,819 --> 00:32:47,063: authority.
Cleo 4109 00:32:47,063 --> 00:32:47,569: jumped 4110 00:32:47,569 --> 00:32:47,630: at 4111 00:32:47,630 --> 00:32:47,720: the 4112 00:32:47,720 --> 00:32:48,079: sudden 4113 00:32:48,079 --> 00:32:48,589: blaring 4114 00:32:48,589 --> 00:32:49,819: announcement, 4115 00:32:49,819 --> 00:32:50,089: as 4116 00:32:50,089 --> 00:32:50,210: did 4117 00:32:50,210 --> 00:32:50,390: the 4118 00:32:50,390 --> 00:32:50,569: other 4119 00:32:50,569 --> 00:32:50,869: members 4120 00:32:50,869 --> 00:32:50,930: of 4121 00:32:50,930 --> 00:32:51,049: the 4122 00:32:51,049 --> 00:32:51,500: epistemics 4123 00:32:51,500 --> 00:32:52,490: department, 4124 00:32:52,490 --> 00:32:52,880: now 4125 00:32:52,880 --> 00:32:53,089: all 4126 00:32:53,089 --> 00:32:53,569: suddenly 4127 00:32:53,569 --> 00:32:54,019: lit 4128 00:32:54,019 --> 00:32:54,140: in 4129 00:32:54,140 --> 00:32:54,200: the 4130 00:32:54,200 --> 00:32:54,859: blue 4131 00:32:54,859 --> 00:32:54,980: of 4132 00:32:54,980 --> 00:32:55,130: the 4133 00:32:55,130 --> 00:32:55,460: alert 4134 00:32:55,460 --> 00:32:55,730: lights 4135 00:32:55,730 --> 00:32:55,819: on 4136 00:32:55,819 --> 00:32:55,910: the 4137 00:32:55,910 --> 00:32:58,609: walls.
“Stay 4138 00:32:58,609 --> 00:32:59,539: safe. 4139 00:32:59,539 --> 00:32:59,869: Send 4140 00:32:59,869 --> 00:32:59,990: your 4141 00:32:59,990 --> 00:33:00,589: department 4142 00:33:00,589 --> 00:33:00,829: out 4143 00:33:00,829 --> 00:33:00,950: in 4144 00:33:00,950 --> 00:33:01,519: pairs 4145 00:33:01,519 --> 00:33:01,670: to 4146 00:33:01,670 --> 00:33:02,059: hunt 4147 00:33:02,059 --> 00:33:02,240: for 4148 00:33:02,240 --> 00:33:03,049: mites 4149 00:33:03,049 --> 00:33:03,259: or 4150 00:33:03,259 --> 00:33:05,330: wisps.”
Cleo 4151 00:33:05,330 --> 00:33:06,380: nodded. “I 4152 00:33:06,380 --> 00:33:06,619: think 4153 00:33:06,619 --> 00:33:06,920: Lio 4154 00:33:06,920 --> 00:33:07,069: has 4155 00:33:07,069 --> 00:33:07,460: been left 4156 00:33:07,460 --> 00:33:07,609: with 4157 00:33:07,609 --> 00:33:08,660: telegnosis 4158 00:33:08,660 --> 00:33:08,750: the 4159 00:33:08,750 --> 00:33:09,019: last 4160 00:33:09,019 --> 00:33:10,069: few shifts. 4161 00:33:10,069 --> 00:33:10,190: I’ll 4162 00:33:10,190 --> 00:33:10,369: see 4163 00:33:10,369 --> 00:33:10,460: if 4164 00:33:10,460 --> 00:33:10,700: he can 4165 00:33:10,700 --> 00:33:11,029: give 4166 00:33:11,029 --> 00:33:11,089: the 4167 00:33:11,089 --> 00:33:11,510: station 4168 00:33:11,510 --> 00:33:11,571: a 4169 00:33:11,571 --> 00:33:12,049: once-over 4170 00:33:12,049 --> 00:33:12,230: while 4171 00:33:12,230 --> 00:33:12,619: glimmer is 4172 00:33:12,619 --> 00:33:12,769: low 4173 00:33:12,769 --> 00:33:13,519: enough. 4174 00:33:13,519 --> 00:33:13,819: Five 4175 00:33:13,819 --> 00:33:14,000: minutes 4176 00:33:14,000 --> 00:33:14,240: shouldn’t 4177 00:33:14,240 --> 00:33:14,450: push 4178 00:33:14,450 --> 00:33:14,509: it 4179 00:33:14,509 --> 00:33:14,660: too 4180 00:33:14,660 --> 00:33:14,839: much 4181 00:33:14,839 --> 00:33:16,579: higher.”
Soot 4182 00:33:16,579 --> 00:33:17,450: nodded. 4183 00:33:17,450 --> 00:33:17,690: Letting 4184 00:33:17,690 --> 00:33:17,869: the 4185 00:33:17,869 --> 00:33:18,109: body 4186 00:33:18,109 --> 00:33:18,410: drift 4187 00:33:18,410 --> 00:33:18,589: into 4188 00:33:18,589 --> 00:33:18,650: a 4189 00:33:18,650 --> 00:33:19,069: trance 4190 00:33:19,069 --> 00:33:19,160: while 4191 00:33:19,160 --> 00:33:19,430: some 4192 00:33:19,430 --> 00:33:19,700: form 4193 00:33:19,700 --> 00:33:19,819: of 4194 00:33:19,819 --> 00:33:20,029: inner 4195 00:33:20,029 --> 00:33:20,509: sight 4196 00:33:20,509 --> 00:33:20,900: wandered 4197 00:33:20,900 --> 00:33:21,049: around 4198 00:33:21,049 --> 00:33:21,140: the 4199 00:33:21,140 --> 00:33:22,069: station, 4200 00:33:22,069 --> 00:33:22,759: watching 4201 00:33:22,759 --> 00:33:22,880: and 4202 00:33:22,880 --> 00:33:24,049: listening, 4203 00:33:24,049 --> 00:33:24,230: would 4204 00:33:24,230 --> 00:33:24,349: be 4205 00:33:24,349 --> 00:33:24,710: quite 4206 00:33:24,710 --> 00:33:25,039: handy 4207 00:33:25,039 --> 00:33:25,130: in 4208 00:33:25,130 --> 00:33:25,430: hunting 4209 00:33:25,430 --> 00:33:25,609: down 4210 00:33:25,609 --> 00:33:25,759: more 4211 00:33:25,759 --> 00:33:28,670: information. “Alright, 4212 00:33:28,670 --> 00:33:28,782: have 4213 00:33:28,782 --> 00:33:28,985: him 4214 00:33:28,985 --> 00:33:29,390: coordinate 4215 00:33:29,390 --> 00:33:29,509: with 4216 00:33:29,509 --> 00:33:29,660: the 4217 00:33:29,660 --> 00:33:31,190: AI.”
She 4218 00:33:31,190 --> 00:33:31,910: nodded 4219 00:33:31,910 --> 00:33:32,089: and 4220 00:33:32,089 --> 00:33:32,359: whirled 4221 00:33:32,359 --> 00:33:32,690: around 4222 00:33:32,690 --> 00:33:32,839: to 4223 00:33:32,839 --> 00:33:33,140: dash 4224 00:33:33,140 --> 00:33:33,410: back 4225 00:33:33,410 --> 00:33:33,559: into 4226 00:33:33,559 --> 00:33:33,680: the 4227 00:33:33,680 --> 00:33:35,930: department.
Soot jogged 4228 00:33:35,930 --> 00:33:36,170: back 4229 00:33:36,170 --> 00:33:36,259: up 4230 00:33:36,259 --> 00:33:36,380: toward 4231 00:33:36,380 --> 00:33:37,369: medical. 4232 00:33:37,369 --> 00:33:38,150: Dissociation 4233 00:33:38,150 --> 00:33:38,419: nipped 4234 00:33:38,419 --> 00:33:38,480: at 4235 00:33:38,480 --> 00:33:38,630: their 4236 00:33:38,630 --> 00:33:39,349: heels, 4237 00:33:39,349 --> 00:33:39,529: but 4238 00:33:39,529 --> 00:33:39,650: they 4239 00:33:39,650 --> 00:33:40,039: gently 4240 00:33:40,039 --> 00:33:40,339: pushed 4241 00:33:40,339 --> 00:33:41,390: back. 4242 00:33:41,390 --> 00:33:41,720: Abby 4243 00:33:41,720 --> 00:33:41,900: would 4244 00:33:41,900 --> 00:33:42,140: have 4245 00:33:42,140 --> 00:33:42,289: her 4246 00:33:42,289 --> 00:33:43,160: comfort, 4247 00:33:43,160 --> 00:33:43,430: all 4248 00:33:43,430 --> 00:33:43,519: the 4249 00:33:43,519 --> 00:33:43,849: comfort 4250 00:33:43,849 --> 00:33:44,000: she 4251 00:33:44,000 --> 00:33:44,930: deserved. 4252 00:33:44,930 --> 00:33:45,349: After 4253 00:33:45,349 --> 00:33:46,670: work, 4254 00:33:46,670 --> 00:33:47,180: after 4255 00:33:47,180 --> 00:33:50,240: work…
Whispers-to-Ghosts 4256 00:33:50,240 --> 00:33:50,390: was 4257 00:33:50,390 --> 00:33:50,450: a 4258 00:33:50,450 --> 00:33:50,930: slight 4259 00:33:50,930 --> 00:33:51,529: lizard 4260 00:33:51,529 --> 00:33:51,740: with 4261 00:33:51,740 --> 00:33:52,579: gray-green 4262 00:33:52,579 --> 00:33:53,450: scales 4263 00:33:53,450 --> 00:33:53,660: and 4264 00:33:53,660 --> 00:33:53,690: a 4265 00:33:53,690 --> 00:33:54,559: perpetually 4266 00:33:54,559 --> 00:33:55,369: faraway 4267 00:33:55,369 --> 00:33:55,759: look 4268 00:33:55,759 --> 00:33:55,940: in 4269 00:33:55,940 --> 00:33:56,089: its 4270 00:33:56,089 --> 00:33:57,289: eyes. 4271 00:33:57,289 --> 00:33:57,650: This 4272 00:33:57,650 --> 00:33:58,099: distant 4273 00:33:58,099 --> 00:33:58,609: gaze 4274 00:33:58,609 --> 00:33:58,880: didn’t 4275 00:33:58,880 --> 00:33:59,240: seem 4276 00:33:59,240 --> 00:33:59,390: to 4277 00:33:59,390 --> 00:33:59,539: be 4278 00:33:59,539 --> 00:34:00,109: affected 4279 00:34:00,109 --> 00:34:00,230: by 4280 00:34:00,230 --> 00:34:00,319: the 4281 00:34:00,319 --> 00:34:00,680: fact 4282 00:34:00,680 --> 00:34:00,830: that 4283 00:34:00,830 --> 00:34:00,890: a 4284 00:34:00,890 --> 00:34:01,400: doctor 4285 00:34:01,400 --> 00:34:01,609: was 4286 00:34:01,609 --> 00:34:02,029: rapidly 4287 00:34:02,029 --> 00:34:02,450: sealing 4288 00:34:02,450 --> 00:34:02,569: up 4289 00:34:02,569 --> 00:34:02,630: a 4290 00:34:02,630 --> 00:34:03,140: wound 4291 00:34:03,140 --> 00:34:03,349: on 4292 00:34:03,349 --> 00:34:03,470: its 4293 00:34:03,470 --> 00:34:04,339: shoulder 4294 00:34:04,339 --> 00:34:04,524: with 4295 00:34:04,524 --> 00:34:04,609: a 4296 00:34:04,609 --> 00:34:05,240: cautery 4297 00:34:05,240 --> 00:34:05,450: and 4298 00:34:05,450 --> 00:34:06,589: hypospray, 4299 00:34:06,589 --> 00:34:07,130: skilled 4300 00:34:07,130 --> 00:34:07,640: hands 4301 00:34:07,640 --> 00:34:10,340: unshaking.
“Whispers, 4302 00:34:10,340 --> 00:34:10,489: are 4303 00:34:10,489 --> 00:34:10,670: you 4304 00:34:10,670 --> 00:34:12,889: okay?”
That 4305 00:34:12,889 --> 00:34:13,369: gaze 4306 00:34:13,369 --> 00:34:13,730: drifted 4307 00:34:13,730 --> 00:34:14,000: over 4308 00:34:14,000 --> 00:34:14,090: to 4309 00:34:14,090 --> 00:34:14,449: some 4310 00:34:14,449 --> 00:34:15,110: point 4311 00:34:15,110 --> 00:34:15,559: just 4312 00:34:15,559 --> 00:34:15,889: over 4313 00:34:15,889 --> 00:34:16,099: their 4314 00:34:16,099 --> 00:34:16,369: left 4315 00:34:16,369 --> 00:34:18,920: shoulder. “Oh. 4316 00:34:18,920 --> 00:34:20,119: Captain. 4317 00:34:20,119 --> 00:34:21,320: Yes. 4318 00:34:21,320 --> 00:34:21,679: This 4319 00:34:21,679 --> 00:34:22,369: one 4320 00:34:22,369 --> 00:34:22,550: is 4321 00:34:22,550 --> 00:34:24,889: okay.”
“Can 4322 00:34:24,889 --> 00:34:25,010: you 4323 00:34:25,010 --> 00:34:25,250: tell 4324 00:34:25,250 --> 00:34:25,340: me 4325 00:34:25,340 --> 00:34:25,519: what 4326 00:34:25,519 --> 00:34:26,659: happened? 4327 00:34:26,659 --> 00:34:26,900: What 4328 00:34:26,900 --> 00:34:27,019: do 4329 00:34:27,019 --> 00:34:27,110: you 4330 00:34:27,110 --> 00:34:29,119: remember?”
A 4331 00:34:29,119 --> 00:34:29,659: dreamy 4332 00:34:29,659 --> 00:34:30,230: smile 4333 00:34:30,230 --> 00:34:30,469: came 4334 00:34:30,469 --> 00:34:30,619: over 4335 00:34:30,619 --> 00:34:30,710: the 4336 00:34:30,710 --> 00:34:31,159: lizard’s 4337 00:34:31,159 --> 00:34:32,269: features, 4338 00:34:32,269 --> 00:34:32,420: the 4339 00:34:32,420 --> 00:34:33,019: slouchy 4340 00:34:33,019 --> 00:34:33,530: fez 4341 00:34:33,530 --> 00:34:33,650: that 4342 00:34:33,650 --> 00:34:33,769: was 4343 00:34:33,769 --> 00:34:33,800: a 4344 00:34:33,800 --> 00:34:34,190: symbol 4345 00:34:34,190 --> 00:34:34,280: of 4346 00:34:34,280 --> 00:34:34,429: its 4347 00:34:34,429 --> 00:34:34,940: office 4348 00:34:34,940 --> 00:34:35,480: only 4349 00:34:35,480 --> 00:34:35,960: adding 4350 00:34:35,960 --> 00:34:36,079: to 4351 00:34:36,079 --> 00:34:36,170: the 4352 00:34:36,170 --> 00:34:36,650: jaunty 4353 00:34:36,650 --> 00:34:38,481: expression. “This 4354 00:34:38,481 --> 00:34:39,199: one 4355 00:34:39,199 --> 00:34:39,530: was 4356 00:34:39,530 --> 00:34:40,190: walking 4357 00:34:40,190 --> 00:34:40,280: the 4358 00:34:40,280 --> 00:34:41,329: halls 4359 00:34:41,329 --> 00:34:41,570: and 4360 00:34:41,570 --> 00:34:42,380: sent 4361 00:34:42,380 --> 00:34:42,590: out 4362 00:34:42,590 --> 00:34:42,650: a 4363 00:34:42,650 --> 00:34:44,539: pulse, 4364 00:34:44,539 --> 00:34:44,690: and 4365 00:34:44,690 --> 00:34:44,929: thought 4366 00:34:44,929 --> 00:34:45,019: it 4367 00:34:45,019 --> 00:34:45,320: felt 4368 00:34:45,320 --> 00:34:45,739: something 4369 00:34:45,739 --> 00:34:45,860: in 4370 00:34:45,860 --> 00:34:45,949: the 4371 00:34:45,949 --> 00:34:46,610: maints 4372 00:34:46,610 --> 00:34:47,090: behind 4373 00:34:47,090 --> 00:34:47,210: the 4374 00:34:47,210 --> 00:34:48,050: dorms, 4375 00:34:48,050 --> 00:34:49,099: so 4376 00:34:49,099 --> 00:34:49,250: it 4377 00:34:49,250 --> 00:34:49,519: went 4378 00:34:49,519 --> 00:34:49,730: to 4379 00:34:49,730 --> 00:34:51,079: look.” 4380 00:34:51,079 --> 00:34:51,260: There 4381 00:34:51,260 --> 00:34:51,469: was 4382 00:34:51,469 --> 00:34:51,530: a 4383 00:34:51,530 --> 00:34:52,280: raspy, 4384 00:34:52,280 --> 00:34:52,849: hissing 4385 00:34:52,849 --> 00:34:53,840: laugh, 4386 00:34:53,840 --> 00:34:54,110: which 4387 00:34:54,110 --> 00:34:54,380: got 4388 00:34:54,380 --> 00:34:54,469: the 4389 00:34:54,469 --> 00:34:54,889: Mantis 4390 00:34:54,889 --> 00:34:55,084: a 4391 00:34:55,084 --> 00:34:55,639: frown 4392 00:34:55,639 --> 00:34:55,789: from 4393 00:34:55,789 --> 00:34:55,880: the 4394 00:34:55,880 --> 00:34:57,409: doctor. “This 4395 00:34:57,409 --> 00:34:58,435: one 4396 00:34:58,435 --> 00:34:59,060: thinks 4397 00:34:59,060 --> 00:34:59,210: it 4398 00:34:59,210 --> 00:34:59,510: was 4399 00:34:59,510 --> 00:35:02,506: stabbed.”
Soot 4400 00:35:02,506 --> 00:35:02,840: stood 4401 00:35:02,840 --> 00:35:02,989: up 4402 00:35:02,989 --> 00:35:03,920: straighter 4403 00:35:03,920 --> 00:35:04,130: and 4404 00:35:04,130 --> 00:35:04,489: pulled 4405 00:35:04,489 --> 00:35:04,670: out 4406 00:35:04,670 --> 00:35:04,820: their 4407 00:35:04,820 --> 00:35:05,869: PDA, 4408 00:35:05,869 --> 00:35:06,380: starting 4409 00:35:06,380 --> 00:35:06,500: up 4410 00:35:06,500 --> 00:35:06,559: a 4411 00:35:06,559 --> 00:35:06,710: new 4412 00:35:06,710 --> 00:35:08,659: note.
Sensing 4413 00:35:08,659 --> 00:35:08,780: the 4414 00:35:08,780 --> 00:35:09,380: expectancy 4415 00:35:09,380 --> 00:35:09,469: in 4416 00:35:09,469 --> 00:35:09,829: Soot’s 4417 00:35:09,829 --> 00:35:10,730: posture, 4418 00:35:10,730 --> 00:35:11,719: Whispers-to-Ghosts 4419 00:35:11,719 --> 00:35:13,400: continued. “It 4420 00:35:13,400 --> 00:35:13,849: lost 4421 00:35:13,849 --> 00:35:14,389: track 4422 00:35:14,389 --> 00:35:14,480: of 4423 00:35:14,480 --> 00:35:14,570: the 4424 00:35:14,570 --> 00:35:15,469: pulse, 4425 00:35:15,469 --> 00:35:15,889: but 4426 00:35:15,889 --> 00:35:16,489: thought 4427 00:35:16,489 --> 00:35:16,579: it 4428 00:35:16,579 --> 00:35:16,880: heard 4429 00:35:16,880 --> 00:35:17,599: mites, 4430 00:35:17,599 --> 00:35:19,190: too, 4431 00:35:19,190 --> 00:35:19,400: and 4432 00:35:19,400 --> 00:35:20,119: so 4433 00:35:20,119 --> 00:35:20,329: it 4434 00:35:20,329 --> 00:35:20,900: walked 4435 00:35:20,900 --> 00:35:21,530: toward 4436 00:35:21,530 --> 00:35:22,219: west 4437 00:35:22,219 --> 00:35:23,869: solars. 4438 00:35:23,869 --> 00:35:25,369: Something 4439 00:35:25,369 --> 00:35:25,969: spun 4440 00:35:25,969 --> 00:35:26,269: it 4441 00:35:26,269 --> 00:35:26,900: around 4442 00:35:26,900 --> 00:35:27,050: and 4443 00:35:27,050 --> 00:35:27,619: punched 4444 00:35:27,619 --> 00:35:27,679: it in 4445 00:35:27,679 --> 00:35:27,739: the 4446 00:35:27,739 --> 00:35:28,880: chest — 4447 00:35:28,880 --> 00:35:29,239: or 4448 00:35:29,239 --> 00:35:30,079: so 4449 00:35:30,079 --> 00:35:30,349: this 4450 00:35:30,349 --> 00:35:31,076: one 4451 00:35:31,076 --> 00:35:32,420: thought, 4452 00:35:32,420 --> 00:35:32,780: until 4453 00:35:32,780 --> 00:35:32,869: it 4454 00:35:32,869 --> 00:35:33,230: started 4455 00:35:33,230 --> 00:35:33,349: to 4456 00:35:33,349 --> 00:35:33,590: get 4457 00:35:33,590 --> 00:35:35,750: light-headed.” 4458 00:35:35,750 --> 00:35:36,079: Another 4459 00:35:36,079 --> 00:35:37,130: laugh, 4460 00:35:37,130 --> 00:35:37,460: another 4461 00:35:37,460 --> 00:35:37,820: dirty 4462 00:35:37,820 --> 00:35:38,387: look, 4463 00:35:38,387 --> 00:35:38,539: though the 4464 00:35:38,539 --> 00:35:38,929: doctor 4465 00:35:38,929 --> 00:35:39,469: finished 4466 00:35:39,469 --> 00:35:39,559: the 4467 00:35:39,559 --> 00:35:40,039: final 4468 00:35:40,039 --> 00:35:40,550: injection 4469 00:35:40,550 --> 00:35:40,909: before 4470 00:35:40,909 --> 00:35:41,329: stepping 4471 00:35:41,329 --> 00:35:43,159: back. “This 4472 00:35:43,159 --> 00:35:43,519: one 4473 00:35:43,519 --> 00:35:44,900: passed out 4474 00:35:44,900 --> 00:35:45,860: faster 4475 00:35:45,860 --> 00:35:46,039: than 4476 00:35:46,039 --> 00:35:47,570: expected. 4477 00:35:47,570 --> 00:35:48,260: It’s 4478 00:35:48,260 --> 00:35:49,039: very 4479 00:35:49,039 --> 00:35:49,789: thankful 4480 00:35:49,789 --> 00:35:50,179: for 4481 00:35:50,179 --> 00:35:53,989: Drags.”
Drags-the-Bodies, 4482 00:35:53,989 --> 00:35:54,349: another 4483 00:35:54,349 --> 00:35:55,219: lizard, 4484 00:35:55,219 --> 00:35:55,460: though 4485 00:35:55,460 --> 00:35:55,969: colored 4486 00:35:55,969 --> 00:35:56,090: in 4487 00:35:56,090 --> 00:35:56,690: shocking 4488 00:35:56,690 --> 00:35:57,199: blue 4489 00:35:57,199 --> 00:35:57,349: and 4490 00:35:57,349 --> 00:35:57,590: deep 4491 00:35:57,590 --> 00:35:58,519: black, 4492 00:35:58,519 --> 00:35:59,630: grinned toothily 4493 00:35:59,630 --> 00:35:59,840: from 4494 00:35:59,840 --> 00:36:00,019: where 4495 00:36:00,019 --> 00:36:00,199: they 4496 00:36:00,199 --> 00:36:00,590: stood 4497 00:36:00,590 --> 00:36:01,969: nearby, 4498 00:36:01,969 --> 00:36:02,510: folding 4499 00:36:02,510 --> 00:36:02,630: up 4500 00:36:02,630 --> 00:36:02,809: their 4501 00:36:02,809 --> 00:36:03,170: roller 4502 00:36:03,170 --> 00:36:03,380: bed 4503 00:36:03,380 --> 00:36:05,630: again. “Just 4504 00:36:05,630 --> 00:36:06,199: doing 4505 00:36:06,199 --> 00:36:06,530: my 4506 00:36:06,530 --> 00:36:09,170: job.”
After 4507 00:36:09,170 --> 00:36:09,289: they 4508 00:36:09,289 --> 00:36:09,707: finished 4509 00:36:09,707 --> 00:36:10,130: typing 4510 00:36:10,130 --> 00:36:10,400: down 4511 00:36:10,400 --> 00:36:10,489: the 4512 00:36:10,489 --> 00:36:11,030: report 4513 00:36:11,030 --> 00:36:11,150: and 4514 00:36:11,150 --> 00:36:11,510: sending 4515 00:36:11,510 --> 00:36:11,599: it 4516 00:36:11,599 --> 00:36:11,750: off 4517 00:36:11,750 --> 00:36:11,840: to 4518 00:36:11,840 --> 00:36:12,739: security, 4519 00:36:12,739 --> 00:36:13,219: Soot 4520 00:36:13,219 --> 00:36:13,849: nodded, 4521 00:36:13,849 --> 00:36:14,420: smiling 4522 00:36:14,420 --> 00:36:14,510: up 4523 00:36:14,510 --> 00:36:14,630: to 4524 00:36:14,630 --> 00:36:14,690: the 4525 00:36:14,690 --> 00:36:17,630: paramedic. “Yes. 4526 00:36:17,630 --> 00:36:17,960: Thank 4527 00:36:17,960 --> 00:36:18,110: you, 4528 00:36:18,110 --> 00:36:19,280: Drags. 4529 00:36:19,280 --> 00:36:19,429: You 4530 00:36:19,429 --> 00:36:19,670: do 4531 00:36:19,670 --> 00:36:19,849: your 4532 00:36:19,849 --> 00:36:20,269: job 4533 00:36:20,269 --> 00:36:20,989: well,” 4534 00:36:20,989 --> 00:36:21,170: they 4535 00:36:21,170 --> 00:36:22,579: said.
They 4536 00:36:22,579 --> 00:36:23,059: snapped 4537 00:36:23,059 --> 00:36:23,090: a 4538 00:36:23,090 --> 00:36:23,659: salute 4539 00:36:23,659 --> 00:36:23,809: and 4540 00:36:23,809 --> 00:36:24,230: trotted 4541 00:36:24,230 --> 00:36:24,530: back 4542 00:36:24,530 --> 00:36:24,650: to 4543 00:36:24,650 --> 00:36:24,769: the 4544 00:36:24,769 --> 00:36:25,099: front 4545 00:36:25,099 --> 00:36:25,460: desk 4546 00:36:25,460 --> 00:36:25,579: where 4547 00:36:25,579 --> 00:36:25,699: the 4548 00:36:25,699 --> 00:36:26,329: paramedics 4549 00:36:26,329 --> 00:36:26,630: usually 4550 00:36:26,630 --> 00:36:26,960: parked 4551 00:36:26,960 --> 00:36:28,639: themselves.
Another 4552 00:36:28,639 --> 00:36:29,119: psionics 4553 00:36:29,119 --> 00:36:29,960: user aboard 4554 00:36:29,960 --> 00:36:30,650: found 4555 00:36:30,650 --> 00:36:30,860: by 4556 00:36:30,860 --> 00:36:31,670: Whispers-to-Ghosts’s 4557 00:36:31,670 --> 00:36:33,380: searching. 4558 00:36:33,380 --> 00:36:33,500: The 4559 00:36:33,500 --> 00:36:33,800: sound 4560 00:36:33,800 --> 00:36:33,889: of 4561 00:36:33,889 --> 00:36:33,949: a 4562 00:36:33,949 --> 00:36:34,219: glimmer 4563 00:36:34,219 --> 00:36:34,849: mite, 4564 00:36:34,849 --> 00:36:35,179: those 4565 00:36:35,179 --> 00:36:35,869: mindless, 4566 00:36:35,869 --> 00:36:36,679: fuchsia-shelled 4567 00:36:36,679 --> 00:36:37,070: bugs 4568 00:36:37,070 --> 00:36:37,190: that 4569 00:36:37,190 --> 00:36:37,639: served 4570 00:36:37,639 --> 00:36:37,849: as 4571 00:36:37,849 --> 00:36:38,300: anchors 4572 00:36:38,300 --> 00:36:38,539: between 4573 00:36:38,539 --> 00:36:38,599: the 4574 00:36:38,599 --> 00:36:39,829: noösphere 4575 00:36:39,829 --> 00:36:40,039: and 4576 00:36:40,039 --> 00:36:40,219: this 4577 00:36:40,219 --> 00:36:41,389: reality. 4578 00:36:41,389 --> 00:36:42,110: Violence 4579 00:36:42,110 --> 00:36:42,199: in 4580 00:36:42,199 --> 00:36:42,289: the 4581 00:36:42,289 --> 00:36:42,829: maintenance 4582 00:36:42,829 --> 00:36:46,039: tunnels.
Violence!
This 4583 00:36:46,039 --> 00:36:46,460: shift 4584 00:36:46,460 --> 00:36:46,579: was 4585 00:36:46,579 --> 00:36:46,909: supposed 4586 00:36:46,909 --> 00:36:46,969: to 4587 00:36:46,969 --> 00:36:47,059: be 4588 00:36:47,059 --> 00:36:47,449: smooth 4589 00:36:47,449 --> 00:36:49,670: sailing.
Soot, 4590 00:36:49,670 --> 00:36:50,690: please– 4591 00:36:50,690 --> 00:36:51,170: whispered 4592 00:36:51,170 --> 00:36:51,289: that 4593 00:36:51,289 --> 00:36:51,619: ghost 4594 00:36:51,619 --> 00:36:51,679: of 4595 00:36:51,679 --> 00:36:51,800: their 4596 00:36:51,800 --> 00:36:52,039: other 4597 00:36:52,039 --> 00:36:52,909: self, 4598 00:36:52,909 --> 00:36:53,000: a 4599 00:36:53,000 --> 00:36:53,900: plaintive 4600 00:36:53,900 --> 00:36:54,469: clutching 4601 00:36:54,469 --> 00:36:54,619: at 4602 00:36:54,619 --> 00:36:54,829: their 4603 00:36:54,829 --> 00:36:55,280: paw 4604 00:36:55,280 --> 00:36:55,489: that 4605 00:36:55,489 --> 00:36:55,789: felt 4606 00:36:55,789 --> 00:36:56,119: so 4607 00:36:56,119 --> 00:36:56,420: real 4608 00:36:56,420 --> 00:36:56,750: that they 4609 00:36:56,750 --> 00:36:57,110: clenched 4610 00:36:57,110 --> 00:36:57,260: their 4611 00:36:57,260 --> 00:36:58,039: fist 4612 00:36:58,039 --> 00:36:58,219: in 4613 00:36:58,219 --> 00:36:58,369: an 4614 00:36:58,369 --> 00:36:58,940: attempt 4615 00:36:58,940 --> 00:36:59,090: to 4616 00:36:59,090 --> 00:36:59,630: squeeze 4617 00:36:59,630 --> 00:37:01,099: back. 4618 00:37:01,099 --> 00:37:01,280: I 4619 00:37:01,280 --> 00:37:01,489: want 4620 00:37:01,489 --> 00:37:01,550: to 4621 00:37:01,550 --> 00:37:01,760: go 4622 00:37:01,760 --> 00:37:04,250: home…
“Shush, 4623 00:37:04,250 --> 00:37:04,519: little 4624 00:37:04,519 --> 00:37:05,239: one,” 4625 00:37:05,239 --> 00:37:05,420: they 4626 00:37:05,420 --> 00:37:06,230: murmured, 4627 00:37:06,230 --> 00:37:06,590: then 4628 00:37:06,590 --> 00:37:07,010: waved 4629 00:37:07,010 --> 00:37:07,190: off 4630 00:37:07,190 --> 00:37:07,309: the 4631 00:37:07,309 --> 00:37:07,670: curious 4632 00:37:07,670 --> 00:37:07,969: glance 4633 00:37:07,969 --> 00:37:08,119: from 4634 00:37:08,119 --> 00:37:08,210: the 4635 00:37:08,210 --> 00:37:09,440: Mantis. 4636 00:37:09,440 --> 00:37:09,889: Speaking 4637 00:37:09,889 --> 00:37:10,130: more 4638 00:37:10,130 --> 00:37:10,460: loudly, 4639 00:37:10,460 --> 00:37:10,610: they 4640 00:37:10,610 --> 00:37:12,320: continued, “We’re 4641 00:37:12,320 --> 00:37:12,559: now 4642 00:37:12,559 --> 00:37:12,710: on 4643 00:37:12,710 --> 00:37:13,039: code 4644 00:37:13,039 --> 00:37:13,489: blue, 4645 00:37:13,489 --> 00:37:13,760: so 4646 00:37:13,760 --> 00:37:15,557: please–”
The 4647 00:37:15,557 --> 00:37:16,369: station-wide 4648 00:37:16,369 --> 00:37:16,820: alert system 4649 00:37:16,820 --> 00:37:17,000: gave 4650 00:37:17,000 --> 00:37:17,059: a 4651 00:37:17,059 --> 00:37:17,539: pleasant 4652 00:37:17,539 --> 00:37:18,500: chime, 4653 00:37:18,500 --> 00:37:18,920: followed 4654 00:37:18,920 --> 00:37:19,519: by 4655 00:37:19,519 --> 00:37:19,639: the far 4656 00:37:19,639 --> 00:37:19,909: more 4657 00:37:19,909 --> 00:37:20,480: frantic 4658 00:37:20,480 --> 00:37:21,019: voice 4659 00:37:21,019 --> 00:37:21,230: of 4660 00:37:21,230 --> 00:37:23,719: Cleo. “This 4661 00:37:23,719 --> 00:37:23,840: is 4662 00:37:23,840 --> 00:37:23,929: your 4663 00:37:23,929 --> 00:37:24,860: mystagogue. 4664 00:37:24,860 --> 00:37:25,400: Station 4665 00:37:25,400 --> 00:37:25,820: status 4666 00:37:25,820 --> 00:37:25,909: is 4667 00:37:25,909 --> 00:37:26,119: now 4668 00:37:26,119 --> 00:37:27,170: blue-white. 4669 00:37:27,170 --> 00:37:27,590: Glimmer 4670 00:37:27,590 --> 00:37:27,920: is up 4671 00:37:27,920 --> 00:37:28,760: at 550 4672 00:37:28,760 --> 00:37:28,940: and 4673 00:37:28,940 --> 00:37:30,320: still rising. I 4674 00:37:30,320 --> 00:37:30,469: need 4675 00:37:30,469 --> 00:37:31,010: a salv 4676 00:37:31,010 --> 00:37:31,099: to 4677 00:37:31,099 --> 00:37:31,309: come 4678 00:37:31,309 --> 00:37:31,579: help 4679 00:37:31,579 --> 00:37:31,820: blow 4680 00:37:31,820 --> 00:37:31,940: the 4681 00:37:31,940 --> 00:37:32,437: prober 4682 00:37:32,437 --> 00:37:32,570: in 4683 00:37:32,570 --> 00:37:33,769: space, and I 4684 00:37:33,769 --> 00:37:34,250: need engi 4685 00:37:34,250 --> 00:37:34,460: on 4686 00:37:34,460 --> 00:37:35,119: hand 4687 00:37:35,119 --> 00:37:35,510: just 4688 00:37:35,510 --> 00:37:35,630: in 4689 00:37:35,630 --> 00:37:36,590: case. 4690 00:37:36,590 --> 00:37:36,800: Any 4691 00:37:36,800 --> 00:37:37,309: psionics 4692 00:37:37,309 --> 00:37:37,369: who 4693 00:37:37,369 --> 00:37:37,460: are 4694 00:37:37,460 --> 00:37:38,179: willing, 4695 00:37:38,179 --> 00:37:38,269: I 4696 00:37:38,269 --> 00:37:38,510: have 4697 00:37:38,510 --> 00:37:39,199: mindbreaker 4698 00:37:39,199 --> 00:37:39,320: at 4699 00:37:39,320 --> 00:37:39,409: the 4700 00:37:39,409 --> 00:37:40,340: ready. 4701 00:37:40,340 --> 00:37:40,550: I 4702 00:37:40,550 --> 00:37:40,909: know 4703 00:37:40,909 --> 00:37:41,059: it 4704 00:37:41,059 --> 00:37:41,480: sucks, 4705 00:37:41,480 --> 00:37:41,659: but 4706 00:37:41,659 --> 00:37:42,469: hey, 4707 00:37:42,469 --> 00:37:42,619: you’ll 4708 00:37:42,619 --> 00:37:42,800: see 4709 00:37:42,800 --> 00:37:42,980: some 4710 00:37:42,980 --> 00:37:43,190: pretty 4711 00:37:43,190 --> 00:37:43,639: colors 4712 00:37:43,639 --> 00:37:43,730: and 4713 00:37:43,730 --> 00:37:43,909: get 4714 00:37:43,909 --> 00:37:43,940: a 4715 00:37:43,940 --> 00:37:44,329: bonus 4716 00:37:44,329 --> 00:37:44,449: on 4717 00:37:44,449 --> 00:37:44,539: your 4718 00:37:44,539 --> 00:37:45,530: paycheck. 4719 00:37:45,530 --> 00:37:45,710: I 4720 00:37:45,710 --> 00:37:46,550: repeat, 4721 00:37:46,550 --> 00:37:47,150: station 4722 00:37:47,150 --> 00:37:47,780: status 4723 00:37:47,780 --> 00:37:47,929: is 4724 00:37:47,929 --> 00:37:48,469: now 4725 00:37:48,469 --> 00:37:49,699: blue-white. 4726 00:37:49,699 --> 00:37:50,150: Stay 4727 00:37:50,150 --> 00:37:50,929: safe, 4728 00:37:50,929 --> 00:37:51,260: just 4729 00:37:51,260 --> 00:37:51,380: an 4730 00:37:51,380 --> 00:37:51,739: hour 4731 00:37:51,739 --> 00:37:53,000: left.”
I 4732 00:37:53,000 --> 00:37:53,269: want 4733 00:37:53,269 --> 00:37:53,329: to 4734 00:37:53,329 --> 00:37:53,539: go 4735 00:37:53,539 --> 00:37:54,500: home. 4736 00:37:54,500 --> 00:37:54,619: I 4737 00:37:54,619 --> 00:37:54,889: want to 4738 00:37:54,889 --> 00:37:55,130: see 4739 00:37:55,130 --> 00:37:56,420: mama. 4740 00:37:56,420 --> 00:37:56,510: A 4741 00:37:56,510 --> 00:37:56,989: plea 4742 00:37:56,989 --> 00:37:57,289: for a 4743 00:37:57,289 --> 00:37:57,800: parent 4744 00:37:57,800 --> 00:37:57,920: who 4745 00:37:57,920 --> 00:37:58,039: had 4746 00:37:58,039 --> 00:37:58,400: very 4747 00:37:58,400 --> 00:37:58,820: nearly 4748 00:37:58,820 --> 00:37:59,210: died 4749 00:37:59,210 --> 00:37:59,300: in 4750 00:37:59,300 --> 00:37:59,360: the 4751 00:37:59,360 --> 00:37:59,780: same 4752 00:37:59,780 --> 00:38:00,289: accident 4753 00:38:00,289 --> 00:38:00,386: that 4754 00:38:00,386 --> 00:38:00,466: had 4755 00:38:00,466 --> 00:38:00,739: led 4756 00:38:00,739 --> 00:38:00,860: to 4757 00:38:00,860 --> 00:38:00,949: this 4758 00:38:00,949 --> 00:38:01,460: splitting 4759 00:38:01,460 --> 00:38:01,550: of 4760 00:38:01,550 --> 00:38:02,690: self. 4761 00:38:02,690 --> 00:38:02,779: A 4762 00:38:02,779 --> 00:38:03,349: request 4763 00:38:03,349 --> 00:38:03,500: for 4764 00:38:03,500 --> 00:38:05,269: comfort.
The 4765 00:38:05,269 --> 00:38:06,079: sensation 4766 00:38:06,079 --> 00:38:06,289: of 4767 00:38:06,289 --> 00:38:07,250: tugging, 4768 00:38:07,250 --> 00:38:07,579: of 4769 00:38:07,579 --> 00:38:08,449: pulling, 4770 00:38:08,449 --> 00:38:08,659: of 4771 00:38:08,659 --> 00:38:09,349: Abby’s 4772 00:38:09,349 --> 00:38:10,010: grasping 4773 00:38:10,010 --> 00:38:10,610: paws 4774 00:38:10,610 --> 00:38:11,000: only 4775 00:38:11,000 --> 00:38:11,300: grew 4776 00:38:11,300 --> 00:38:12,260: stronger. 4777 00:38:12,260 --> 00:38:12,380: It 4778 00:38:12,380 --> 00:38:12,530: was 4779 00:38:12,530 --> 00:38:12,800: so 4780 00:38:12,800 --> 00:38:13,579: real, 4781 00:38:13,579 --> 00:38:13,789: and 4782 00:38:13,789 --> 00:38:14,150: made 4783 00:38:14,150 --> 00:38:14,449: all 4784 00:38:14,449 --> 00:38:14,539: the 4785 00:38:14,539 --> 00:38:14,840: more 4786 00:38:14,840 --> 00:38:15,170: so 4787 00:38:15,170 --> 00:38:15,380: for 4788 00:38:15,380 --> 00:38:15,500: the 4789 00:38:15,500 --> 00:38:16,011: Mantis 4790 00:38:16,011 --> 00:38:16,460: staring 4791 00:38:16,460 --> 00:38:16,550: at 4792 00:38:16,550 --> 00:38:16,639: the 4793 00:38:16,639 --> 00:38:17,090: space 4794 00:38:17,090 --> 00:38:17,570: beside 4795 00:38:17,570 --> 00:38:17,809: them 4796 00:38:17,809 --> 00:38:18,019: from 4797 00:38:18,019 --> 00:38:18,289: which 4798 00:38:18,289 --> 00:38:18,440: they 4799 00:38:18,440 --> 00:38:18,739: heard 4800 00:38:18,739 --> 00:38:18,860: her 4801 00:38:18,860 --> 00:38:19,250: quiet 4802 00:38:19,250 --> 00:38:20,840: pleas.
The 4803 00:38:20,840 --> 00:38:22,039: dreaminess 4804 00:38:22,039 --> 00:38:22,250: of 4805 00:38:22,250 --> 00:38:22,648: Abby 4806 00:38:22,648 --> 00:38:23,179: struggling 4807 00:38:23,179 --> 00:38:23,269: to 4808 00:38:23,269 --> 00:38:23,630: take 4809 00:38:23,630 --> 00:38:24,050: front 4810 00:38:24,050 --> 00:38:24,710: interwove 4811 00:38:24,710 --> 00:38:25,190: itself 4812 00:38:25,190 --> 00:38:25,340: with 4813 00:38:25,340 --> 00:38:25,460: the 4814 00:38:25,460 --> 00:38:25,880: electric 4815 00:38:25,880 --> 00:38:26,750: tingle 4816 00:38:26,750 --> 00:38:26,960: of 4817 00:38:26,960 --> 00:38:27,320: glimmer 4818 00:38:27,320 --> 00:38:27,440: in 4819 00:38:27,440 --> 00:38:27,590: the 4820 00:38:27,590 --> 00:38:28,639: air. 4821 00:38:28,639 --> 00:38:28,969: Glimmer 4822 00:38:28,969 --> 00:38:29,210: being 4823 00:38:29,210 --> 00:38:29,690: so 4824 00:38:29,690 --> 00:38:30,409: high, 4825 00:38:30,409 --> 00:38:30,800: perhaps 4826 00:38:30,800 --> 00:38:30,920: it was 4827 00:38:30,920 --> 00:38:31,039: no 4828 00:38:31,039 --> 00:38:31,579: surprise 4829 00:38:31,579 --> 00:38:31,699: that the 4830 00:38:31,699 --> 00:38:32,119: ghosts 4831 00:38:32,119 --> 00:38:32,239: of 4832 00:38:32,239 --> 00:38:32,329: the 4833 00:38:32,329 --> 00:38:32,809: past 4834 00:38:32,809 --> 00:38:33,019: had 4835 00:38:33,019 --> 00:38:33,349: begun 4836 00:38:33,349 --> 00:38:33,500: to 4837 00:38:33,500 --> 00:38:33,679: make 4838 00:38:33,679 --> 00:38:34,159: themselves 4839 00:38:34,159 --> 00:38:36,110: known.
Evac 4840 00:38:36,110 --> 00:38:36,829: soon, 4841 00:38:36,829 --> 00:38:37,010: they 4842 00:38:37,010 --> 00:38:37,849: thought back, 4843 00:38:37,849 --> 00:38:38,389: cooing 4844 00:38:38,389 --> 00:38:39,019: soothing 4845 00:38:39,019 --> 00:38:40,670: reassurances. 4846 00:38:40,670 --> 00:38:40,820: One 4847 00:38:40,820 --> 00:38:41,119: more 4848 00:38:41,119 --> 00:38:41,719: hour, 4849 00:38:41,719 --> 00:38:42,139: just 4850 00:38:42,139 --> 00:38:42,320: like 4851 00:38:42,320 --> 00:38:42,652: Cleo 4852 00:38:42,652 --> 00:38:43,550: said. Just 4853 00:38:43,550 --> 00:38:43,969: hold 4854 00:38:43,969 --> 00:38:44,179: on, 4855 00:38:44,179 --> 00:38:46,250: Abby.
It 4856 00:38:46,250 --> 00:38:46,489: was 4857 00:38:46,489 --> 00:38:46,969: times 4858 00:38:46,969 --> 00:38:47,239: like 4859 00:38:47,239 --> 00:38:48,079: these, 4860 00:38:48,079 --> 00:38:48,260: when 4861 00:38:48,260 --> 00:38:48,650: Abby 4862 00:38:48,650 --> 00:38:49,099: most 4863 00:38:49,099 --> 00:38:49,644: expressed 4864 00:38:49,644 --> 00:38:49,969: that 4865 00:38:49,969 --> 00:38:50,420: need 4866 00:38:50,420 --> 00:38:50,539: to 4867 00:38:50,539 --> 00:38:50,719: come 4868 00:38:50,719 --> 00:38:50,809: to 4869 00:38:50,809 --> 00:38:50,900: the 4870 00:38:50,900 --> 00:38:51,590: front, 4871 00:38:51,590 --> 00:38:51,800: to 4872 00:38:51,800 --> 00:38:52,130: be 4873 00:38:52,130 --> 00:38:52,250: the 4874 00:38:52,250 --> 00:38:52,940: identity 4875 00:38:52,940 --> 00:38:53,150: that 4876 00:38:53,150 --> 00:38:53,480: drove 4877 00:38:53,480 --> 00:38:53,570: the 4878 00:38:53,570 --> 00:38:54,079: body, 4879 00:38:54,079 --> 00:38:54,521: seeking 4880 00:38:54,521 --> 00:38:54,679: for 4881 00:38:54,679 --> 00:38:55,519: comfort, 4882 00:38:55,519 --> 00:38:55,760: that 4883 00:38:55,760 --> 00:38:56,300: Soot 4884 00:38:56,300 --> 00:38:56,780: most 4885 00:38:56,780 --> 00:38:57,139: often felt 4886 00:38:57,139 --> 00:38:58,369: haunted. 4887 00:38:58,369 --> 00:38:58,550: It 4888 00:38:58,550 --> 00:38:58,760: was 4889 00:38:58,760 --> 00:38:59,030: not 4890 00:38:59,030 --> 00:38:59,809: wrong, 4891 00:38:59,809 --> 00:39:00,050: not 4892 00:39:00,050 --> 00:39:01,340: unpleasant, 4893 00:39:01,340 --> 00:39:01,579: was 4894 00:39:01,579 --> 00:39:01,820: even 4895 00:39:01,820 --> 00:39:01,969: at 4896 00:39:01,969 --> 00:39:02,480: times 4897 00:39:02,480 --> 00:39:03,559: cherished, 4898 00:39:03,559 --> 00:39:03,739: but 4899 00:39:03,739 --> 00:39:03,829: it 4900 00:39:03,829 --> 00:39:04,039: was 4901 00:39:04,039 --> 00:39:04,369: still 4902 00:39:04,369 --> 00:39:04,429: a 4903 00:39:04,429 --> 00:39:05,659: haunting. 4904 00:39:05,659 --> 00:39:05,869: It 4905 00:39:05,869 --> 00:39:05,989: was 4906 00:39:05,989 --> 00:39:06,139: an 4907 00:39:06,139 --> 00:39:06,829: intimation 4908 00:39:06,829 --> 00:39:07,039: from 4909 00:39:07,039 --> 00:39:07,130: a 4910 00:39:07,130 --> 00:39:07,639: ghost 4911 00:39:07,639 --> 00:39:07,849: that the 4912 00:39:07,849 --> 00:39:08,269: ghost 4913 00:39:08,269 --> 00:39:08,809: become 4914 00:39:08,809 --> 00:39:09,469: real 4915 00:39:09,469 --> 00:39:09,710: and 4916 00:39:09,710 --> 00:39:09,980: they 4917 00:39:09,980 --> 00:39:10,369: become 4918 00:39:10,369 --> 00:39:10,460: the 4919 00:39:10,460 --> 00:39:11,210: ghost, 4920 00:39:11,210 --> 00:39:11,389: that 4921 00:39:11,389 --> 00:39:11,539: they 4922 00:39:11,539 --> 00:39:12,050: trade 4923 00:39:12,050 --> 00:39:14,090: places.
They 4924 00:39:14,090 --> 00:39:14,360: just 4925 00:39:14,360 --> 00:39:14,539: needed 4926 00:39:14,539 --> 00:39:14,630: to 4927 00:39:14,630 --> 00:39:14,840: make 4928 00:39:14,840 --> 00:39:14,900: it 4929 00:39:14,900 --> 00:39:14,989: to 4930 00:39:14,989 --> 00:39:15,079: the 4931 00:39:15,079 --> 00:39:15,199: end 4932 00:39:15,199 --> 00:39:15,260: of 4933 00:39:15,260 --> 00:39:15,320: the 4934 00:39:15,320 --> 00:39:16,309: shift. 4935 00:39:16,309 --> 00:39:16,610: Should 4936 00:39:16,610 --> 00:39:16,730: their 4937 00:39:16,730 --> 00:39:17,360: identity 4938 00:39:17,360 --> 00:39:18,289: unlatch, 4939 00:39:18,289 --> 00:39:18,530: should 4940 00:39:18,530 --> 00:39:18,650: they 4941 00:39:18,650 --> 00:39:19,219: disperse 4942 00:39:19,219 --> 00:39:19,400: into 4943 00:39:19,400 --> 00:39:19,489: the 4944 00:39:19,489 --> 00:39:19,909: demanding 4945 00:39:19,909 --> 00:39:20,269: presence 4946 00:39:20,269 --> 00:39:20,360: of 4947 00:39:20,360 --> 00:39:20,420: their 4948 00:39:20,420 --> 00:39:20,750: younger 4949 00:39:20,750 --> 00:39:21,619: self, 4950 00:39:21,619 --> 00:39:21,889: they 4951 00:39:21,889 --> 00:39:22,039: would 4952 00:39:22,039 --> 00:39:22,340: have 4953 00:39:22,340 --> 00:39:22,429: to 4954 00:39:22,429 --> 00:39:22,760: step 4955 00:39:22,760 --> 00:39:23,030: down 4956 00:39:23,030 --> 00:39:23,210: from 4957 00:39:23,210 --> 00:39:24,079: command, 4958 00:39:24,079 --> 00:39:24,380: pass 4959 00:39:24,380 --> 00:39:24,469: it 4960 00:39:24,469 --> 00:39:24,619: off 4961 00:39:24,619 --> 00:39:24,769: to 4962 00:39:24,769 --> 00:39:25,880: another — 4963 00:39:25,880 --> 00:39:26,208: Cleo 4964 00:39:26,208 --> 00:39:26,329: would 4965 00:39:26,329 --> 00:39:26,420: be 4966 00:39:26,420 --> 00:39:26,480: the 4967 00:39:26,480 --> 00:39:26,840: ideal 4968 00:39:26,840 --> 00:39:27,139: choice 4969 00:39:27,139 --> 00:39:27,380: for 4970 00:39:27,380 --> 00:39:27,710: acting 4971 00:39:27,710 --> 00:39:28,130: commanding 4972 00:39:28,130 --> 00:39:28,969: officer, 4973 00:39:28,969 --> 00:39:29,269: given 4974 00:39:29,269 --> 00:39:29,420: the 4975 00:39:29,420 --> 00:39:29,780: events 4976 00:39:29,780 --> 00:39:30,139: behind 4977 00:39:30,139 --> 00:39:30,230: the 4978 00:39:30,230 --> 00:39:31,579: stress. 4979 00:39:31,579 --> 00:39:31,940: Such 4980 00:39:31,940 --> 00:39:32,119: was 4981 00:39:32,119 --> 00:39:32,269: on 4982 00:39:32,269 --> 00:39:32,419: their 4983 00:39:32,419 --> 00:39:32,929: record 4984 00:39:32,929 --> 00:39:33,110: and 4985 00:39:33,110 --> 00:39:33,230: would 4986 00:39:33,230 --> 00:39:33,409: not 4987 00:39:33,409 --> 00:39:33,860: reflect 4988 00:39:33,860 --> 00:39:33,920: on 4989 00:39:33,920 --> 00:39:34,039: their 4990 00:39:34,039 --> 00:39:34,489: career 4991 00:39:34,489 --> 00:39:34,579: at 4992 00:39:34,579 --> 00:39:35,239: all, 4993 00:39:35,239 --> 00:39:35,389: and 4994 00:39:35,389 --> 00:39:35,510: yet 4995 00:39:35,510 --> 00:39:35,630: it 4996 00:39:35,630 --> 00:39:35,780: was 4997 00:39:35,780 --> 00:39:36,530: still, 4998 00:39:36,530 --> 00:39:36,679: in 4999 00:39:36,679 --> 00:39:36,829: its 5000 00:39:36,829 --> 00:39:37,070: own 5001 00:39:37,070 --> 00:39:37,699: way, 5002 00:39:37,699 --> 00:39:37,789: a 5003 00:39:37,789 --> 00:39:38,059: little 5004 00:39:38,059 --> 00:39:38,809: humiliating 5005 00:39:38,809 --> 00:39:39,050: for 5006 00:39:39,050 --> 00:39:40,849: Soot.
Better, 5007 00:39:40,849 --> 00:39:41,599: instead, 5008 00:39:41,599 --> 00:39:41,750: to 5009 00:39:41,750 --> 00:39:43,309: focus.
They 5010 00:39:43,309 --> 00:39:43,699: slipped 5011 00:39:43,699 --> 00:39:43,760: from 5012 00:39:43,760 --> 00:39:43,849: the 5013 00:39:43,849 --> 00:39:44,090: med 5014 00:39:44,090 --> 00:39:44,690: bay 5015 00:39:44,690 --> 00:39:44,840: and 5016 00:39:44,840 --> 00:39:45,050: sought 5017 00:39:45,050 --> 00:39:45,165: out 5018 00:39:45,165 --> 00:39:45,260: the 5019 00:39:45,260 --> 00:39:45,469: head 5020 00:39:45,469 --> 00:39:45,559: of 5021 00:39:45,559 --> 00:39:46,190: security 5022 00:39:46,190 --> 00:39:47,210: instead. 5023 00:39:47,210 --> 00:39:47,449: They 5024 00:39:47,449 --> 00:39:47,750: needed 5025 00:39:47,750 --> 00:39:47,840: the 5026 00:39:47,840 --> 00:39:48,650: no-nonsense 5027 00:39:48,650 --> 00:39:49,400: professionalism 5028 00:39:49,400 --> 00:39:49,579: of 5029 00:39:49,579 --> 00:39:50,000: Artie 5030 00:39:50,000 --> 00:39:50,150: to 5031 00:39:50,150 --> 00:39:50,420: keep 5032 00:39:50,420 --> 00:39:50,630: them 5033 00:39:50,630 --> 00:39:51,349: grounded 5034 00:39:51,349 --> 00:39:51,559: and 5035 00:39:51,559 --> 00:39:51,679: in 5036 00:39:51,679 --> 00:39:51,769: the 5037 00:39:51,769 --> 00:39:52,969: moment. 5038 00:39:52,969 --> 00:39:53,150: They 5039 00:39:53,150 --> 00:39:53,300: had 5040 00:39:53,300 --> 00:39:53,719: worked 5041 00:39:53,719 --> 00:39:54,199: countless 5042 00:39:54,199 --> 00:39:54,500: shifts 5043 00:39:54,500 --> 00:39:55,280: together, 5044 00:39:55,280 --> 00:39:55,489: and 5045 00:39:55,489 --> 00:39:55,789: few 5046 00:39:55,789 --> 00:39:56,030: knew 5047 00:39:56,030 --> 00:39:56,239: them 5048 00:39:56,239 --> 00:39:56,510: better 5049 00:39:56,510 --> 00:39:56,690: except 5050 00:39:56,690 --> 00:39:57,139: perhaps 5051 00:39:57,139 --> 00:39:57,469: Dr. 5052 00:39:57,469 --> 00:39:59,750: R.
“Cap. 5053 00:39:59,750 --> 00:39:59,960: Was 5054 00:39:59,960 --> 00:40:00,260: just 5055 00:40:00,260 --> 00:40:00,469: looking 5056 00:40:00,469 --> 00:40:00,710: for 5057 00:40:00,710 --> 00:40:01,730: you,” 5058 00:40:01,730 --> 00:40:02,090: Artie 5059 00:40:02,090 --> 00:40:02,510: said 5060 00:40:02,510 --> 00:40:03,110: briskly 5061 00:40:03,110 --> 00:40:03,380: when 5062 00:40:03,380 --> 00:40:03,829: Soot 5063 00:40:03,829 --> 00:40:04,219: fell 5064 00:40:04,219 --> 00:40:04,340: in 5065 00:40:04,340 --> 00:40:04,820: step 5066 00:40:04,820 --> 00:40:05,300: beside 5067 00:40:05,300 --> 00:40:05,929: him. 5068 00:40:05,929 --> 00:40:06,110: The 5069 00:40:06,110 --> 00:40:06,500: ruddy 5070 00:40:06,500 --> 00:40:07,219: vulpkanin 5071 00:40:07,219 --> 00:40:07,610: cut 5072 00:40:07,610 --> 00:40:07,730: an 5073 00:40:07,730 --> 00:40:08,300: imposing 5074 00:40:08,300 --> 00:40:08,659: figure 5075 00:40:08,659 --> 00:40:08,840: at 5076 00:40:08,840 --> 00:40:08,929: the 5077 00:40:08,929 --> 00:40:09,320: best 5078 00:40:09,320 --> 00:40:09,409: of 5079 00:40:09,409 --> 00:40:10,190: times, 5080 00:40:10,190 --> 00:40:10,909: especially 5081 00:40:10,909 --> 00:40:11,150: given 5082 00:40:11,150 --> 00:40:11,269: that 5083 00:40:11,269 --> 00:40:11,389: he 5084 00:40:11,389 --> 00:40:11,750: stood 5085 00:40:11,750 --> 00:40:12,079: half 5086 00:40:12,079 --> 00:40:12,110: a 5087 00:40:12,110 --> 00:40:12,349: meter 5088 00:40:12,349 --> 00:40:12,769: taller 5089 00:40:12,769 --> 00:40:12,949: than 5090 00:40:12,949 --> 00:40:13,969: Soot, 5091 00:40:13,969 --> 00:40:14,179: but 5092 00:40:14,179 --> 00:40:14,480: now 5093 00:40:14,480 --> 00:40:14,690: he 5094 00:40:14,690 --> 00:40:15,110: moved 5095 00:40:15,110 --> 00:40:15,233: with 5096 00:40:15,233 --> 00:40:15,318: a 5097 00:40:15,318 --> 00:40:15,500: near 5098 00:40:15,500 --> 00:40:16,099: mechanical 5099 00:40:16,099 --> 00:40:16,849: grace 5100 00:40:16,849 --> 00:40:17,059: with 5101 00:40:17,059 --> 00:40:17,117: the 5102 00:40:17,117 --> 00:40:17,420: subtle 5103 00:40:17,420 --> 00:40:18,050: servos 5104 00:40:18,050 --> 00:40:18,320: within 5105 00:40:18,320 --> 00:40:18,500: his 5106 00:40:18,500 --> 00:40:19,070: hardsuit 5107 00:40:19,070 --> 00:40:19,610: helping 5108 00:40:19,610 --> 00:40:19,760: to 5109 00:40:19,760 --> 00:40:20,000: keep 5110 00:40:20,000 --> 00:40:20,119: him 5111 00:40:20,119 --> 00:40:21,469: going. “Come 5112 00:40:21,469 --> 00:40:21,590: out 5113 00:40:21,590 --> 00:40:21,679: to 5114 00:40:21,679 --> 00:40:21,769: the 5115 00:40:21,769 --> 00:40:22,010: dock 5116 00:40:22,010 --> 00:40:22,190: with 5117 00:40:22,190 --> 00:40:23,719: us.”
“Is 5118 00:40:23,719 --> 00:40:23,869: that 5119 00:40:23,869 --> 00:40:23,960: where 5120 00:40:23,960 --> 00:40:24,110: you’re 5121 00:40:24,110 --> 00:40:24,920: heading? 5122 00:40:24,920 --> 00:40:25,130: I 5123 00:40:25,130 --> 00:40:25,280: just 5124 00:40:25,280 --> 00:40:25,460: wanted 5125 00:40:25,460 --> 00:40:25,519: to 5126 00:40:25,519 --> 00:40:25,699: make 5127 00:40:25,699 --> 00:40:26,000: sure 5128 00:40:26,000 --> 00:40:26,059: I 5129 00:40:26,059 --> 00:40:26,360: stayed 5130 00:40:26,360 --> 00:40:26,449: on 5131 00:40:26,449 --> 00:40:26,750: top 5132 00:40:26,750 --> 00:40:26,809: of 5133 00:40:26,809 --> 00:40:27,079: what’s 5134 00:40:27,079 --> 00:40:28,039: happening. 5135 00:40:28,039 --> 00:40:28,340: Just 5136 00:40:28,340 --> 00:40:28,550: going 5137 00:40:28,550 --> 00:40:28,789: along 5138 00:40:28,789 --> 00:40:28,969: for 5139 00:40:28,969 --> 00:40:29,659: firepower 5140 00:40:29,659 --> 00:40:29,809: for 5141 00:40:29,809 --> 00:40:29,929: the 5142 00:40:29,929 --> 00:40:31,760: prober?”
Artie 5143 00:40:31,760 --> 00:40:32,239: reached 5144 00:40:32,239 --> 00:40:32,480: up 5145 00:40:32,480 --> 00:40:32,719: with a 5146 00:40:32,719 --> 00:40:33,079: paw 5147 00:40:33,079 --> 00:40:33,199: to 5148 00:40:33,199 --> 00:40:33,530: tap 5149 00:40:33,530 --> 00:40:33,679: at 5150 00:40:33,679 --> 00:40:33,713: a 5151 00:40:33,713 --> 00:40:34,099: button 5152 00:40:34,099 --> 00:40:34,250: on 5153 00:40:34,250 --> 00:40:34,429: his 5154 00:40:34,429 --> 00:40:35,449: collar, 5155 00:40:35,449 --> 00:40:35,570: the 5156 00:40:35,570 --> 00:40:36,019: helmet 5157 00:40:36,019 --> 00:40:36,139: of 5158 00:40:36,139 --> 00:40:36,260: his 5159 00:40:36,260 --> 00:40:37,130: hardsuit 5160 00:40:37,130 --> 00:40:37,760: slipping up 5161 00:40:37,760 --> 00:40:38,059: over 5162 00:40:38,059 --> 00:40:38,300: his 5163 00:40:38,300 --> 00:40:38,690: head 5164 00:40:38,690 --> 00:40:43,335: and sealing to his suit with a pneumatic hush. “No. I 5165 00:40:43,335 --> 00:40:43,545: have 5166 00:40:43,545 --> 00:40:43,635: a 5167 00:40:43,635 --> 00:40:44,744: hunch. 5168 00:40:44,744 --> 00:40:44,864: I 5169 00:40:44,864 --> 00:40:45,195: grabbed 5170 00:40:45,195 --> 00:40:45,255: a 5171 00:40:45,255 --> 00:40:45,554: glimmer 5172 00:40:45,554 --> 00:40:45,945: monitor 5173 00:40:45,945 --> 00:40:46,184: from 5174 00:40:46,184 --> 00:40:47,144: Cleo. 5175 00:40:47,144 --> 00:40:47,355: It’s 5176 00:40:47,355 --> 00:40:47,804: rising 5177 00:40:47,804 --> 00:40:48,014: too 5178 00:40:48,014 --> 00:40:48,525: steadily 5179 00:40:48,525 --> 00:40:48,675: to 5180 00:40:48,675 --> 00:40:48,824: be 5181 00:40:48,824 --> 00:40:49,125: from 5182 00:40:49,125 --> 00:40:50,114: psionics, 5183 00:40:50,114 --> 00:40:50,565: and 5184 00:40:50,565 --> 00:40:51,255: too fast to be 5185 00:40:51,255 --> 00:40:51,494: just 5186 00:40:51,494 --> 00:40:51,644: from 5187 00:40:51,644 --> 00:40:52,215: mites 5188 00:40:52,215 --> 00:40:52,394: or 5189 00:40:52,394 --> 00:40:53,264: wisps. 5190 00:40:53,264 --> 00:40:53,804: Something 5191 00:40:53,804 --> 00:40:54,045: else 5192 00:40:54,045 --> 00:40:54,164: is 5193 00:40:54,164 --> 00:40:54,434: going 5194 00:40:54,434 --> 00:40:56,204: on.”
Soot 5195 00:40:56,204 --> 00:40:56,594: felt 5196 00:40:56,594 --> 00:40:56,775: their 5197 00:40:56,775 --> 00:40:57,135: gait 5198 00:40:57,135 --> 00:40:57,675: falter 5199 00:40:57,675 --> 00:40:58,009: beside 5200 00:40:58,009 --> 00:40:58,094: the 5201 00:40:58,094 --> 00:40:59,114: vulp. 5202 00:40:59,114 --> 00:40:59,295: There 5203 00:40:59,295 --> 00:40:59,414: was 5204 00:40:59,414 --> 00:40:59,565: no 5205 00:40:59,565 --> 00:41:00,105: announcement 5206 00:41:00,105 --> 00:41:00,175: of 5207 00:41:00,175 --> 00:41:00,284: a 5208 00:41:00,284 --> 00:41:01,005: discharge, 5209 00:41:01,005 --> 00:41:01,275: no 5210 00:41:01,275 --> 00:41:01,664: break 5211 00:41:01,664 --> 00:41:01,755: in 5212 00:41:01,755 --> 00:41:01,815: the 5213 00:41:01,815 --> 00:41:02,115: stride 5214 00:41:02,115 --> 00:41:02,175: of 5215 00:41:02,175 --> 00:41:02,355: any of 5216 00:41:02,355 --> 00:41:02,445: the 5217 00:41:02,445 --> 00:41:02,985: secoffs 5218 00:41:02,985 --> 00:41:03,284: around 5219 00:41:03,284 --> 00:41:03,914: them, 5220 00:41:03,914 --> 00:41:04,094: but 5221 00:41:04,094 --> 00:41:04,184: the 5222 00:41:04,184 --> 00:41:04,844: sour 5223 00:41:04,844 --> 00:41:05,324: scent 5224 00:41:05,324 --> 00:41:05,474: of 5225 00:41:05,474 --> 00:41:05,835: glimmer 5226 00:41:05,835 --> 00:41:05,925: in 5227 00:41:05,925 --> 00:41:06,105: the 5228 00:41:06,105 --> 00:41:06,525: air 5229 00:41:06,525 --> 00:41:06,735: was 5230 00:41:06,735 --> 00:41:07,125: still 5231 00:41:07,125 --> 00:41:08,414: strong. 5232 00:41:08,414 --> 00:41:08,504: A 5233 00:41:08,504 --> 00:41:08,985: strong 5234 00:41:08,985 --> 00:41:09,375: paw 5235 00:41:09,375 --> 00:41:09,764: helped 5236 00:41:09,764 --> 00:41:10,125: nudge 5237 00:41:10,125 --> 00:41:10,244: them 5238 00:41:10,244 --> 00:41:10,514: back 5239 00:41:10,514 --> 00:41:10,695: on 5240 00:41:10,695 --> 00:41:11,715: course, 5241 00:41:11,715 --> 00:41:11,894: at 5242 00:41:11,894 --> 00:41:12,135: which 5243 00:41:12,135 --> 00:41:12,284: they 5244 00:41:12,284 --> 00:41:12,554: gave 5245 00:41:12,554 --> 00:41:12,585: a 5246 00:41:12,585 --> 00:41:13,094: tired 5247 00:41:13,094 --> 00:41:13,905: smile 5248 00:41:13,905 --> 00:41:14,025: of 5249 00:41:14,025 --> 00:41:16,184: acknowledgment. “Glad 5250 00:41:16,184 --> 00:41:16,574: someone’s 5251 00:41:16,574 --> 00:41:16,905: keeping 5252 00:41:16,905 --> 00:41:17,025: an 5253 00:41:17,025 --> 00:41:17,144: eye 5254 00:41:17,144 --> 00:41:17,295: on 5255 00:41:17,295 --> 00:41:17,625: it,” 5256 00:41:17,625 --> 00:41:17,804: they 5257 00:41:17,804 --> 00:41:19,815: muttered.
Artie 5258 00:41:19,815 --> 00:41:20,144: gave 5259 00:41:20,144 --> 00:41:20,264: the 5260 00:41:20,264 --> 00:41:20,775: barest 5261 00:41:20,775 --> 00:41:21,284: hint 5262 00:41:21,284 --> 00:41:21,405: of 5263 00:41:21,405 --> 00:41:21,434: a 5264 00:41:21,434 --> 00:41:22,275: nod, 5265 00:41:22,275 --> 00:41:22,454: and 5266 00:41:22,454 --> 00:41:22,605: they 5267 00:41:22,605 --> 00:41:22,934: made 5268 00:41:22,934 --> 00:41:23,025: the 5269 00:41:23,025 --> 00:41:23,324: rest 5270 00:41:23,324 --> 00:41:23,385: of 5271 00:41:23,385 --> 00:41:23,474: the 5272 00:41:23,474 --> 00:41:23,804: journey 5273 00:41:23,804 --> 00:41:23,985: to 5274 00:41:23,985 --> 00:41:24,074: the 5275 00:41:24,074 --> 00:41:24,585: salvage 5276 00:41:24,585 --> 00:41:25,034: dock 5277 00:41:25,034 --> 00:41:25,215: in 5278 00:41:25,215 --> 00:41:27,494: silence.
Soot had 5279 00:41:27,494 --> 00:41:27,824: only 5280 00:41:27,824 --> 00:41:28,005: ever 5281 00:41:28,005 --> 00:41:28,275: seen 5282 00:41:28,275 --> 00:41:28,335: a 5283 00:41:28,335 --> 00:41:28,724: prober 5284 00:41:28,724 --> 00:41:29,445: explosion 5285 00:41:29,445 --> 00:41:29,775: once 5286 00:41:29,775 --> 00:41:30,224: before 5287 00:41:30,224 --> 00:41:30,315: in 5288 00:41:30,315 --> 00:41:30,465: their 5289 00:41:30,465 --> 00:41:31,514: life, 5290 00:41:31,514 --> 00:41:31,724: and 5291 00:41:31,724 --> 00:41:31,994: this 5292 00:41:31,994 --> 00:41:32,295: one 5293 00:41:32,295 --> 00:41:32,684: acted 5294 00:41:32,684 --> 00:41:32,775: as 5295 00:41:32,775 --> 00:41:33,735: confirmation of 5296 00:41:33,735 --> 00:41:33,855: the 5297 00:41:33,855 --> 00:41:34,485: strange 5298 00:41:34,485 --> 00:41:35,324: beauty 5299 00:41:35,324 --> 00:41:35,445: of 5300 00:41:35,445 --> 00:41:35,534: the 5301 00:41:35,534 --> 00:41:36,375: glimmer-fueled 5302 00:41:36,375 --> 00:41:36,795: fire 5303 00:41:36,795 --> 00:41:36,914: of 5304 00:41:36,914 --> 00:41:37,005: it 5305 00:41:37,005 --> 00:41:38,054: all. 5306 00:41:38,054 --> 00:41:38,445: Whatever 5307 00:41:38,445 --> 00:41:39,074: comprised 5308 00:41:39,074 --> 00:41:39,164: the 5309 00:41:39,164 --> 00:41:39,914: combination 5310 00:41:39,914 --> 00:41:40,005: of 5311 00:41:40,005 --> 00:41:40,994: materials, 5312 00:41:40,994 --> 00:41:41,684: compressed 5313 00:41:41,684 --> 00:41:42,434: gasses, 5314 00:41:42,434 --> 00:41:42,675: and 5315 00:41:42,675 --> 00:41:43,125: crystal 5316 00:41:43,125 --> 00:41:44,175: matrices 5317 00:41:44,175 --> 00:41:44,385: that 5318 00:41:44,385 --> 00:41:44,715: made 5319 00:41:44,715 --> 00:41:44,894: up 5320 00:41:44,894 --> 00:41:45,014: the 5321 00:41:45,014 --> 00:41:45,405: piece 5322 00:41:45,405 --> 00:41:45,525: of 5323 00:41:45,525 --> 00:41:46,275: hardware 5324 00:41:46,275 --> 00:41:46,635: made 5325 00:41:46,635 --> 00:41:46,875: for 5326 00:41:46,875 --> 00:41:46,965: a 5327 00:41:46,965 --> 00:41:47,324: bright 5328 00:41:47,324 --> 00:41:48,224: flash 5329 00:41:48,224 --> 00:41:48,405: and 5330 00:41:48,405 --> 00:41:48,434: a 5331 00:41:48,434 --> 00:41:48,855: scant 5332 00:41:48,855 --> 00:41:49,364: second 5333 00:41:49,364 --> 00:41:49,424: of 5334 00:41:49,424 --> 00:41:49,815: electric 5335 00:41:49,815 --> 00:41:50,085: blue 5336 00:41:50,085 --> 00:41:50,835: flames 5337 00:41:50,835 --> 00:41:51,585: tracing 5338 00:41:51,585 --> 00:41:52,125: outward 5339 00:41:52,125 --> 00:41:52,574: before 5340 00:41:52,574 --> 00:41:52,755: what 5341 00:41:52,755 --> 00:41:53,264: fuels 5342 00:41:53,264 --> 00:41:53,445: there 5343 00:41:53,445 --> 00:41:54,164: were 5344 00:41:54,164 --> 00:41:54,375: were 5345 00:41:54,375 --> 00:41:57,824: consumed.
Soot… 5346 00:41:57,824 --> 00:41:58,034: Her 5347 00:41:58,034 --> 00:41:58,574: voice 5348 00:41:58,574 --> 00:41:58,784: was 5349 00:41:58,784 --> 00:41:59,114: starting 5350 00:41:59,114 --> 00:41:59,235: to 5351 00:41:59,235 --> 00:41:59,804: sound 5352 00:41:59,804 --> 00:42:00,045: far 5353 00:42:00,045 --> 00:42:00,375: more 5354 00:42:00,375 --> 00:42:00,735: real 5355 00:42:00,735 --> 00:42:00,855: to 5356 00:42:00,855 --> 00:42:01,755: them, 5357 00:42:01,755 --> 00:42:02,204: far 5358 00:42:02,204 --> 00:42:02,534: more 5359 00:42:02,534 --> 00:42:03,914: present. 5360 00:42:03,914 --> 00:42:04,215: She 5361 00:42:04,215 --> 00:42:04,394: was 5362 00:42:04,394 --> 00:42:04,695: starting 5363 00:42:04,695 --> 00:42:04,784: to 5364 00:42:04,784 --> 00:42:05,355: sound 5365 00:42:05,355 --> 00:42:05,775: far 5366 00:42:05,775 --> 00:42:06,465: closer 5367 00:42:06,465 --> 00:42:06,644: to 5368 00:42:06,644 --> 00:42:06,885: this 5369 00:42:06,885 --> 00:42:08,144: world. 5370 00:42:08,144 --> 00:42:08,355: They 5371 00:42:08,355 --> 00:42:08,666: felt 5372 00:42:08,666 --> 00:42:08,775: they 5373 00:42:08,775 --> 00:42:08,954: could 5374 00:42:08,954 --> 00:42:09,465: almost 5375 00:42:09,465 --> 00:42:09,824: catch 5376 00:42:09,824 --> 00:42:09,914: a 5377 00:42:09,914 --> 00:42:10,574: glimpse 5378 00:42:10,574 --> 00:42:10,755: of 5379 00:42:10,755 --> 00:42:10,875: the 5380 00:42:10,875 --> 00:42:11,324: ghost 5381 00:42:11,324 --> 00:42:11,414: of 5382 00:42:11,414 --> 00:42:12,105: her 5383 00:42:12,105 --> 00:42:12,315: in 5384 00:42:12,315 --> 00:42:12,405: their 5385 00:42:12,405 --> 00:42:13,755: reflection 5386 00:42:13,755 --> 00:42:13,934: in 5387 00:42:13,934 --> 00:42:14,025: the 5388 00:42:14,025 --> 00:42:14,534: glass 5389 00:42:14,534 --> 00:42:14,655: of 5390 00:42:14,655 --> 00:42:14,835: the 5391 00:42:14,835 --> 00:42:15,255: airlock 5392 00:42:15,255 --> 00:42:18,434: window.
No…she 5393 00:42:18,434 --> 00:42:19,065: was 5394 00:42:19,065 --> 00:42:20,114: there. 5395 00:42:20,114 --> 00:42:20,324: If 5396 00:42:20,324 --> 00:42:20,534: they 5397 00:42:20,534 --> 00:42:20,835: looked 5398 00:42:20,835 --> 00:42:21,224: just 5399 00:42:21,224 --> 00:42:21,974: right, 5400 00:42:21,974 --> 00:42:22,155: if 5401 00:42:22,155 --> 00:42:22,275: the 5402 00:42:22,275 --> 00:42:22,695: light 5403 00:42:22,695 --> 00:42:23,355: shined 5404 00:42:23,355 --> 00:42:23,744: just 5405 00:42:23,744 --> 00:42:24,554: so, 5406 00:42:24,554 --> 00:42:24,675: it 5407 00:42:24,675 --> 00:42:24,824: was 5408 00:42:24,824 --> 00:42:25,184: not 5409 00:42:25,184 --> 00:42:25,485: their 5410 00:42:25,485 --> 00:42:25,934: face 5411 00:42:25,934 --> 00:42:26,175: that 5412 00:42:26,175 --> 00:42:26,295: they 5413 00:42:26,295 --> 00:42:26,894: saw 5414 00:42:26,894 --> 00:42:27,074: in 5415 00:42:27,074 --> 00:42:27,164: the 5416 00:42:27,164 --> 00:42:27,554: gently 5417 00:42:27,554 --> 00:42:28,034: smudged 5418 00:42:28,034 --> 00:42:28,994: glass. 5419 00:42:28,994 --> 00:42:29,144: It 5420 00:42:29,144 --> 00:42:29,445: was 5421 00:42:29,445 --> 00:42:30,764: hers. 5422 00:42:30,764 --> 00:42:31,184: Same 5423 00:42:31,184 --> 00:42:31,485: black 5424 00:42:31,485 --> 00:42:32,324: coat, 5425 00:42:32,324 --> 00:42:32,925: same 5426 00:42:32,925 --> 00:42:33,704: unruly 5427 00:42:33,704 --> 00:42:34,065: white 5428 00:42:34,065 --> 00:42:34,425: mop 5429 00:42:34,425 --> 00:42:34,545: of 5430 00:42:34,545 --> 00:42:35,114: headfur, 5431 00:42:35,114 --> 00:42:36,344: yes, 5432 00:42:36,344 --> 00:42:36,585: but 5433 00:42:36,585 --> 00:42:36,855: her 5434 00:42:36,855 --> 00:42:37,394: eyes 5435 00:42:37,394 --> 00:42:37,844: bore 5436 00:42:37,844 --> 00:42:37,905: a 5437 00:42:37,905 --> 00:42:38,565: pleading 5438 00:42:38,565 --> 00:42:39,405: innocence 5439 00:42:39,405 --> 00:42:39,585: that 5440 00:42:39,585 --> 00:42:41,025: theirs lacked. 5441 00:42:41,025 --> 00:42:41,204: The 5442 00:42:41,204 --> 00:42:41,864: expression 5443 00:42:41,864 --> 00:42:42,344: lacked 5444 00:42:42,344 --> 00:42:42,704: all 5445 00:42:42,704 --> 00:42:42,795: of 5446 00:42:42,795 --> 00:42:42,914: the 5447 00:42:42,914 --> 00:42:43,454: calm 5448 00:42:43,454 --> 00:42:44,175: confidence 5449 00:42:44,175 --> 00:42:44,355: that 5450 00:42:44,355 --> 00:42:44,505: they 5451 00:42:44,505 --> 00:42:45,074: strived 5452 00:42:45,074 --> 00:42:46,005: for, 5453 00:42:46,005 --> 00:42:46,514: even 5454 00:42:46,514 --> 00:42:46,695: in 5455 00:42:46,695 --> 00:42:47,264: moments 5456 00:42:47,264 --> 00:42:47,385: of 5457 00:42:47,385 --> 00:42:48,135: vulnerability 5458 00:42:48,135 --> 00:42:48,434: like 5459 00:42:48,434 --> 00:42:49,755: these. 5460 00:42:49,755 --> 00:42:49,965: There 5461 00:42:49,965 --> 00:42:50,264: was 5462 00:42:50,264 --> 00:42:50,625: fear 5463 00:42:50,625 --> 00:42:50,925: there, 5464 00:42:50,925 --> 00:42:51,945: yes, 5465 00:42:51,945 --> 00:42:52,304: and 5466 00:42:52,304 --> 00:42:53,534: terror, 5467 00:42:53,534 --> 00:42:53,715: but 5468 00:42:53,715 --> 00:42:53,804: there 5469 00:42:53,804 --> 00:42:53,925: was 5470 00:42:53,925 --> 00:42:54,405: also 5471 00:42:54,405 --> 00:42:54,704: so 5472 00:42:54,704 --> 00:42:54,974: much 5473 00:42:54,974 --> 00:42:55,034: of 5474 00:42:55,034 --> 00:42:55,155: the 5475 00:42:55,155 --> 00:42:55,724: wonder 5476 00:42:55,724 --> 00:42:55,815: that 5477 00:42:55,815 --> 00:42:56,025: had 5478 00:42:56,025 --> 00:42:56,324: filled 5479 00:42:56,324 --> 00:42:56,625: them 5480 00:42:56,625 --> 00:42:56,925: all 5481 00:42:56,925 --> 00:42:57,195: those 5482 00:42:57,195 --> 00:42:57,494: years 5483 00:42:57,494 --> 00:42:58,905: ago.
They 5484 00:42:58,905 --> 00:42:59,295: tore 5485 00:42:59,295 --> 00:42:59,474: their 5486 00:42:59,474 --> 00:42:59,894: gaze 5487 00:42:59,894 --> 00:43:00,105: back 5488 00:43:00,105 --> 00:43:00,195: to 5489 00:43:00,195 --> 00:43:00,315: the 5490 00:43:00,315 --> 00:43:00,885: rapidly 5491 00:43:00,885 --> 00:43:01,574: expanding 5492 00:43:01,574 --> 00:43:02,054: cloud 5493 00:43:02,054 --> 00:43:02,144: of 5494 00:43:02,144 --> 00:43:02,655: debris 5495 00:43:02,655 --> 00:43:02,864: from 5496 00:43:02,864 --> 00:43:02,985: the 5497 00:43:02,985 --> 00:43:03,465: blown 5498 00:43:03,465 --> 00:43:05,355: prober.
See, 5499 00:43:05,355 --> 00:43:05,625: little 5500 00:43:05,625 --> 00:43:06,135: one? 5501 00:43:06,135 --> 00:43:06,315: they 5502 00:43:06,315 --> 00:43:06,885: reassured 5503 00:43:06,885 --> 00:43:07,485: her, 5504 00:43:07,485 --> 00:43:07,784: this other 5505 00:43:07,784 --> 00:43:08,264: portion 5506 00:43:08,264 --> 00:43:08,355: of 5507 00:43:08,355 --> 00:43:08,864: themself 5508 00:43:08,864 --> 00:43:09,224: living 5509 00:43:09,224 --> 00:43:09,644: just 5510 00:43:09,644 --> 00:43:09,974: beneath 5511 00:43:09,974 --> 00:43:10,065: the 5512 00:43:10,065 --> 00:43:11,295: surface. 5513 00:43:11,295 --> 00:43:11,594: There 5514 00:43:11,594 --> 00:43:11,655: it 5515 00:43:11,655 --> 00:43:12,554: goes. 5516 00:43:12,554 --> 00:43:13,005: Safe 5517 00:43:13,005 --> 00:43:13,125: and 5518 00:43:13,125 --> 00:43:14,114: sound, 5519 00:43:14,114 --> 00:43:14,355: out 5520 00:43:14,355 --> 00:43:14,505: in 5521 00:43:14,505 --> 00:43:15,494: space, 5522 00:43:15,494 --> 00:43:15,764: no 5523 00:43:15,764 --> 00:43:16,005: one 5524 00:43:16,005 --> 00:43:17,954: hurt.
A 5525 00:43:17,954 --> 00:43:19,844: moment’s straining. 5526 00:43:19,844 --> 00:43:19,934: A 5527 00:43:19,934 --> 00:43:20,295: vague 5528 00:43:20,295 --> 00:43:20,864: pawing 5529 00:43:20,864 --> 00:43:20,985: at 5530 00:43:20,985 --> 00:43:21,074: the 5531 00:43:21,074 --> 00:43:21,735: barrier 5532 00:43:21,735 --> 00:43:21,855: of 5533 00:43:21,855 --> 00:43:23,414: dissociation, 5534 00:43:23,414 --> 00:43:23,534: the 5535 00:43:23,534 --> 00:43:23,894: thin 5536 00:43:23,894 --> 00:43:24,195: line 5537 00:43:24,195 --> 00:43:24,315: that 5538 00:43:24,315 --> 00:43:24,795: separated 5539 00:43:24,795 --> 00:43:25,244: front 5540 00:43:25,244 --> 00:43:25,514: from 5541 00:43:25,514 --> 00:43:26,295: back, 5542 00:43:26,295 --> 00:43:26,804: present 5543 00:43:26,804 --> 00:43:27,135: from 5544 00:43:27,135 --> 00:43:28,574: absent.
And 5545 00:43:28,574 --> 00:43:28,934: then 5546 00:43:28,934 --> 00:43:29,144: she 5547 00:43:29,144 --> 00:43:31,844: subsided.
Realizing 5548 00:43:31,844 --> 00:43:31,994: that 5549 00:43:31,994 --> 00:43:32,114: they 5550 00:43:32,114 --> 00:43:32,264: had 5551 00:43:32,264 --> 00:43:32,414: been 5552 00:43:32,414 --> 00:43:32,804: holding 5553 00:43:32,804 --> 00:43:32,954: their 5554 00:43:32,954 --> 00:43:33,855: breath, 5555 00:43:33,855 --> 00:43:34,034: they 5556 00:43:34,034 --> 00:43:34,244: let 5557 00:43:34,244 --> 00:43:34,335: it 5558 00:43:34,335 --> 00:43:34,514: out 5559 00:43:34,514 --> 00:43:34,695: as 5560 00:43:34,695 --> 00:43:35,175: carefully 5561 00:43:35,175 --> 00:43:35,324: as 5562 00:43:35,324 --> 00:43:36,405: possible, 5563 00:43:36,405 --> 00:43:36,945: masking 5564 00:43:36,945 --> 00:43:37,065: it 5565 00:43:37,065 --> 00:43:37,244: by 5566 00:43:37,244 --> 00:43:37,605: reaching 5567 00:43:37,605 --> 00:43:37,755: for 5568 00:43:37,755 --> 00:43:37,875: their 5569 00:43:37,875 --> 00:43:38,954: PDA, 5570 00:43:38,954 --> 00:43:39,465: quickly 5571 00:43:39,465 --> 00:43:40,034: tapping 5572 00:43:40,034 --> 00:43:40,304: open 5573 00:43:40,304 --> 00:43:40,394: the 5574 00:43:40,394 --> 00:43:40,605: glimmer 5575 00:43:40,605 --> 00:43:41,204: tracker 5576 00:43:41,204 --> 00:43:41,534: once 5577 00:43:41,534 --> 00:43:43,905: more.
Glimmer 5578 00:43:43,905 --> 00:43:44,114: had finally 5579 00:43:44,114 --> 00:43:44,445: stopped 5580 00:43:44,445 --> 00:43:45,105: rising, 5581 00:43:45,105 --> 00:43:45,585: sitting 5582 00:43:45,585 --> 00:43:55,454: at a solid 618Ψ.
618Ψ…
Still…
They 5583 00:43:55,454 --> 00:43:57,434: frowned. 5584 00:43:57,434 --> 00:43:57,945: Glimmer 5585 00:43:57,945 --> 00:43:58,184: should 5586 00:43:58,184 --> 00:43:58,275: have 5587 00:43:58,275 --> 00:43:58,695: immediately 5588 00:43:58,695 --> 00:43:58,994: started 5589 00:43:58,994 --> 00:43:59,114: to 5590 00:43:59,114 --> 00:44:00,315: drop. 5591 00:44:00,315 --> 00:44:00,494: The 5592 00:44:00,494 --> 00:44:01,394: prober 5593 00:44:01,394 --> 00:44:01,664: was 5594 00:44:01,664 --> 00:44:01,695: the 5595 00:44:01,695 --> 00:44:02,114: steadiest 5596 00:44:02,114 --> 00:44:02,565: source 5597 00:44:02,565 --> 00:44:02,684: of 5598 00:44:02,684 --> 00:44:03,074: glimmer 5599 00:44:03,074 --> 00:44:03,554: aboard 5600 00:44:03,554 --> 00:44:03,704: at 5601 00:44:03,704 --> 00:44:03,824: the 5602 00:44:03,824 --> 00:44:04,215: best 5603 00:44:04,215 --> 00:44:04,304: of 5604 00:44:04,304 --> 00:44:05,175: times, 5605 00:44:05,175 --> 00:44:05,414: and 5606 00:44:05,414 --> 00:44:05,985: now, 5607 00:44:05,985 --> 00:44:06,284: with 5608 00:44:06,284 --> 00:44:06,585: all 5609 00:44:06,585 --> 00:44:07,065: research 5610 00:44:07,065 --> 00:44:07,635: stopped 5611 00:44:07,635 --> 00:44:08,025: and, 5612 00:44:08,025 --> 00:44:08,894: hopefully, 5613 00:44:08,894 --> 00:44:09,164: all 5614 00:44:09,164 --> 00:44:09,764: psionics 5615 00:44:09,764 --> 00:44:10,034: users 5616 00:44:10,034 --> 00:44:10,335: holding 5617 00:44:10,335 --> 00:44:11,144: off, 5618 00:44:11,144 --> 00:44:11,235: it 5619 00:44:11,235 --> 00:44:11,414: should 5620 00:44:11,414 --> 00:44:11,505: have 5621 00:44:11,505 --> 00:44:11,655: been 5622 00:44:11,655 --> 00:44:11,775: the 5623 00:44:11,775 --> 00:44:12,135: only 5624 00:44:12,135 --> 00:44:14,235: one.
So 5625 00:44:14,235 --> 00:44:14,565: why 5626 00:44:14,565 --> 00:44:15,074: wasn’t 5627 00:44:15,074 --> 00:44:15,195: it 5628 00:44:15,195 --> 00:44:17,835: falling?
Their 5629 00:44:17,835 --> 00:44:18,195: radio 5630 00:44:18,195 --> 00:44:18,614: sparked 5631 00:44:18,614 --> 00:44:18,735: to 5632 00:44:18,735 --> 00:44:19,065: life 5633 00:44:19,065 --> 00:44:19,155: in 5634 00:44:19,155 --> 00:44:19,244: the 5635 00:44:19,244 --> 00:44:19,875: double-chirp 5636 00:44:19,875 --> 00:44:19,965: of 5637 00:44:19,965 --> 00:44:20,054: the 5638 00:44:20,054 --> 00:44:20,474: command 5639 00:44:20,474 --> 00:44:21,315: channel, 5640 00:44:21,315 --> 00:44:21,554: and 5641 00:44:21,554 --> 00:44:22,215: Cleo’s 5642 00:44:22,215 --> 00:44:22,784: anxious 5643 00:44:22,784 --> 00:44:23,235: voice 5644 00:44:23,235 --> 00:44:23,414: could 5645 00:44:23,414 --> 00:44:23,625: be 5646 00:44:23,625 --> 00:44:24,045: heard 5647 00:44:24,045 --> 00:44:24,135: on 5648 00:44:24,135 --> 00:44:24,224: the 5649 00:44:24,224 --> 00:44:24,465: other 5650 00:44:24,465 --> 00:44:27,585: end. “Cap! 5651 00:44:27,585 --> 00:44:28,066: Second 5652 00:44:28,066 --> 00:44:28,516: prober! 5653 00:44:28,516 --> 00:44:28,815: Old 5654 00:44:28,815 --> 00:44:29,235: boxing 5655 00:44:29,235 --> 00:44:29,505: ring, 5656 00:44:29,505 --> 00:44:29,864: embedded 5657 00:44:29,864 --> 00:44:29,925: in 5658 00:44:29,925 --> 00:44:29,985: the 5659 00:44:29,985 --> 00:44:30,434: wall. 5660 00:44:30,434 --> 00:44:31,635: It’s…it’s 5661 00:44:31,635 --> 00:44:31,965: half 5662 00:44:31,965 --> 00:44:32,925: constructed. 5663 00:44:32,925 --> 00:44:33,704: Someone’s 5664 00:44:33,704 --> 00:44:34,275: building 5665 00:44:34,275 --> 00:44:36,945: it!”
“What?!”
“Lio 5666 00:44:36,945 --> 00:44:37,304: called it 5667 00:44:37,304 --> 00:44:37,425: out 5668 00:44:37,425 --> 00:44:37,514: on 5669 00:44:37,514 --> 00:44:37,574: the 5670 00:44:37,574 --> 00:44:38,565: sideband, 5671 00:44:38,565 --> 00:44:39,016: saw it 5672 00:44:39,016 --> 00:44:39,164: on 5673 00:44:39,164 --> 00:44:39,224: a 5674 00:44:39,224 --> 00:44:39,914: telegnosis 5675 00:44:39,914 --> 00:44:40,545: sweep, 5676 00:44:40,545 --> 00:44:40,784: says 5677 00:44:40,784 --> 00:44:40,905: he’s 5678 00:44:40,905 --> 00:44:41,114: trying 5679 00:44:41,114 --> 00:44:41,175: to 5680 00:44:41,175 --> 00:44:41,324: get 5681 00:44:41,324 --> 00:44:41,534: back 5682 00:44:41,534 --> 00:44:41,684: to 5683 00:44:41,684 --> 00:44:41,835: his 5684 00:44:41,835 --> 00:44:43,875: body.”
“Artie, 5685 00:44:43,875 --> 00:44:44,144: got 5686 00:44:44,144 --> 00:44:45,914: that?”
“Heard,” 5687 00:44:45,914 --> 00:44:46,125: came 5688 00:44:46,125 --> 00:44:46,545: the immediate 5689 00:44:46,545 --> 00:44:47,114: response 5690 00:44:47,114 --> 00:44:47,565: beside 5691 00:44:47,565 --> 00:44:48,195: them. 5692 00:44:48,195 --> 00:44:48,284: A 5693 00:44:48,284 --> 00:44:48,885: diminished 5694 00:44:48,885 --> 00:44:49,364: chime 5695 00:44:49,364 --> 00:44:49,875: announced 5696 00:44:49,875 --> 00:44:49,905: a 5697 00:44:49,905 --> 00:44:50,144: new 5698 00:44:50,144 --> 00:44:50,684: message 5699 00:44:50,684 --> 00:44:50,804: on 5700 00:44:50,804 --> 00:44:51,284: security 5701 00:44:51,284 --> 00:44:52,755: comms. “Blue 5702 00:44:52,755 --> 00:44:53,085: team, 5703 00:44:53,085 --> 00:44:53,355: green 5704 00:44:53,355 --> 00:44:53,804: team, 5705 00:44:53,804 --> 00:44:54,135: west 5706 00:44:54,135 --> 00:44:54,554: maints, 5707 00:44:54,554 --> 00:44:54,885: just 5708 00:44:54,885 --> 00:44:55,125: west 5709 00:44:55,125 --> 00:44:55,192: of 5710 00:44:55,192 --> 00:44:55,724: dorms. 5711 00:44:55,724 --> 00:44:55,965: Blue 5712 00:44:55,965 --> 00:44:56,175: from 5713 00:44:56,175 --> 00:44:56,775: north, 5714 00:44:56,775 --> 00:44:57,045: green 5715 00:44:57,045 --> 00:44:57,195: from 5716 00:44:57,195 --> 00:44:57,855: south. 5717 00:44:57,855 --> 00:44:58,155: Red 5718 00:44:58,155 --> 00:44:58,335: team 5719 00:44:58,335 --> 00:44:58,485: with 5720 00:44:58,485 --> 00:44:58,875: me, 5721 00:44:58,875 --> 00:44:59,114: via 5722 00:44:59,114 --> 00:44:59,954: solars. 5723 00:44:59,954 --> 00:45:00,284: Gold 5724 00:45:00,284 --> 00:45:00,525: team 5725 00:45:00,525 --> 00:45:00,735: on 5726 00:45:00,735 --> 00:45:02,505: cap.”
There 5727 00:45:02,505 --> 00:45:02,684: was 5728 00:45:02,684 --> 00:45:02,744: a 5729 00:45:02,744 --> 00:45:03,375: chorus 5730 00:45:03,375 --> 00:45:04,184: of ‘heard’s 5731 00:45:04,184 --> 00:45:04,364: through 5732 00:45:04,364 --> 00:45:07,394: sec comms.
“What? 5733 00:45:07,394 --> 00:45:08,445: Why?” 5734 00:45:08,445 --> 00:45:08,655: They 5735 00:45:08,655 --> 00:45:09,074: frowned 5736 00:45:09,074 --> 00:45:09,255: up 5737 00:45:09,255 --> 00:45:09,375: to 5738 00:45:09,375 --> 00:45:09,614: the 5739 00:45:09,614 --> 00:45:11,144: HoS. “You 5740 00:45:11,144 --> 00:45:11,565: don’t think 5741 00:45:11,565 --> 00:45:11,684: I’m 5742 00:45:11,684 --> 00:45:11,835: in 5743 00:45:11,835 --> 00:45:13,454: danger–”
Artie 5744 00:45:13,454 --> 00:45:13,755: bent 5745 00:45:13,755 --> 00:45:14,684: down, 5746 00:45:14,684 --> 00:45:15,014: head 5747 00:45:15,014 --> 00:45:16,335: beside Soot’s, 5748 00:45:16,335 --> 00:45:16,545: and 5749 00:45:16,545 --> 00:45:18,284: murmured, “Helping 5750 00:45:18,284 --> 00:45:18,945: both 5751 00:45:18,945 --> 00:45:19,094: of 5752 00:45:19,094 --> 00:45:19,304: you 5753 00:45:19,304 --> 00:45:19,605: feel 5754 00:45:19,605 --> 00:45:20,925: safe.” 5755 00:45:20,925 --> 00:45:21,224: His 5756 00:45:21,224 --> 00:45:21,644: voice 5757 00:45:21,644 --> 00:45:21,855: was 5758 00:45:21,855 --> 00:45:22,394: barely 5759 00:45:22,394 --> 00:45:22,934: audible 5760 00:45:22,934 --> 00:45:23,114: through 5761 00:45:23,114 --> 00:45:23,235: his 5762 00:45:23,235 --> 00:45:23,804: hardsuit 5763 00:45:23,804 --> 00:45:24,764: helmet, 5764 00:45:24,764 --> 00:45:24,974: but 5765 00:45:24,974 --> 00:45:25,275: all 5766 00:45:25,275 --> 00:45:25,394: the 5767 00:45:25,394 --> 00:45:26,085: same, 5768 00:45:26,085 --> 00:45:26,235: the 5769 00:45:26,235 --> 00:45:26,804: words 5770 00:45:26,804 --> 00:45:27,525: rang 5771 00:45:27,525 --> 00:45:27,735: in 5772 00:45:27,735 --> 00:45:28,215: Soot’s 5773 00:45:28,215 --> 00:45:29,295: ears. 5774 00:45:29,295 --> 00:45:29,505: They 5775 00:45:29,505 --> 00:45:29,835: felt 5776 00:45:29,835 --> 00:45:30,284: struck 5777 00:45:30,284 --> 00:45:30,554: by 5778 00:45:30,554 --> 00:45:31,335: them, 5779 00:45:31,335 --> 00:45:31,394: a 5780 00:45:31,394 --> 00:45:31,784: verbal 5781 00:45:31,784 --> 00:45:32,235: slap to 5782 00:45:32,235 --> 00:45:32,355: the 5783 00:45:32,355 --> 00:45:33,135: cheek, 5784 00:45:33,135 --> 00:45:33,315: and 5785 00:45:33,315 --> 00:45:33,525: had 5786 00:45:33,525 --> 00:45:33,614: to 5787 00:45:33,614 --> 00:45:33,914: work 5788 00:45:33,914 --> 00:45:34,065: to 5789 00:45:34,065 --> 00:45:34,454: quell 5790 00:45:34,454 --> 00:45:34,605: the 5791 00:45:34,605 --> 00:45:35,025: flush 5792 00:45:35,025 --> 00:45:35,175: of 5793 00:45:35,175 --> 00:45:35,684: anger 5794 00:45:35,684 --> 00:45:35,894: that 5795 00:45:35,894 --> 00:45:36,195: was 5796 00:45:36,195 --> 00:45:36,344: the 5797 00:45:36,344 --> 00:45:36,704: first 5798 00:45:36,704 --> 00:45:38,295: response. 5799 00:45:38,295 --> 00:45:38,534: They 5800 00:45:38,534 --> 00:45:38,894: knew 5801 00:45:38,894 --> 00:45:39,255: Artie had 5802 00:45:39,255 --> 00:45:39,644: only 5803 00:45:39,644 --> 00:45:39,764: the 5804 00:45:39,764 --> 00:45:40,094: best 5805 00:45:40,094 --> 00:45:40,184: of 5806 00:45:40,184 --> 00:45:41,295: intentions, 5807 00:45:41,295 --> 00:45:41,414: and 5808 00:45:41,414 --> 00:45:41,565: that 5809 00:45:41,565 --> 00:45:41,715: he 5810 00:45:41,715 --> 00:45:41,925: was 5811 00:45:41,925 --> 00:45:42,554: indeed 5812 00:45:42,554 --> 00:45:42,974: right, 5813 00:45:42,974 --> 00:45:43,155: for 5814 00:45:43,155 --> 00:45:43,275: they 5815 00:45:43,275 --> 00:45:43,485: could 5816 00:45:43,485 --> 00:45:44,175: feel 5817 00:45:44,175 --> 00:45:44,445: that 5818 00:45:44,445 --> 00:45:44,594: of 5819 00:45:44,594 --> 00:45:45,074: Abby 5820 00:45:45,074 --> 00:45:45,525: within 5821 00:45:45,525 --> 00:45:45,945: them 5822 00:45:45,945 --> 00:45:46,755: thankful 5823 00:45:46,755 --> 00:45:46,905: for 5824 00:45:46,905 --> 00:45:47,085: this 5825 00:45:47,085 --> 00:45:47,324: act 5826 00:45:47,324 --> 00:45:47,414: of 5827 00:45:47,414 --> 00:45:48,945: kindness. 5828 00:45:48,945 --> 00:45:49,514: Still, 5829 00:45:49,514 --> 00:45:49,664: to 5830 00:45:49,664 --> 00:45:50,295: them, 5831 00:45:50,295 --> 00:45:50,445: it 5832 00:45:50,445 --> 00:45:50,684: was 5833 00:45:50,684 --> 00:45:51,105: difficult 5834 00:45:51,105 --> 00:45:51,284: not 5835 00:45:51,284 --> 00:45:51,375: to 5836 00:45:51,375 --> 00:45:51,585: see 5837 00:45:51,585 --> 00:45:51,824: this 5838 00:45:51,824 --> 00:45:51,974: as 5839 00:45:51,974 --> 00:45:52,034: a 5840 00:45:52,034 --> 00:45:52,815: recognition 5841 00:45:52,815 --> 00:45:52,965: of 5842 00:45:52,965 --> 00:45:53,385: some 5843 00:45:53,385 --> 00:45:55,635: shortcoming.
They 5844 00:45:55,635 --> 00:45:56,445: loathed 5845 00:45:56,445 --> 00:45:56,744: this 5846 00:45:56,744 --> 00:45:57,045: about 5847 00:45:57,045 --> 00:45:57,644: themself, 5848 00:45:57,644 --> 00:45:57,914: this 5849 00:45:57,914 --> 00:45:59,204: reaction. 5850 00:45:59,204 --> 00:45:59,385: That 5851 00:45:59,385 --> 00:45:59,565: they 5852 00:45:59,565 --> 00:45:59,985: might 5853 00:45:59,985 --> 00:46:00,135: in 5854 00:46:00,135 --> 00:46:00,465: some 5855 00:46:00,465 --> 00:46:00,644: way 5856 00:46:00,644 --> 00:46:01,005: feel 5857 00:46:01,005 --> 00:46:01,545: broken 5858 00:46:01,545 --> 00:46:01,815: by 5859 00:46:01,815 --> 00:46:02,235: Abby’s 5860 00:46:02,235 --> 00:46:02,954: presence 5861 00:46:02,954 --> 00:46:03,255: went 5862 00:46:03,255 --> 00:46:03,494: against 5863 00:46:03,494 --> 00:46:03,914: so 5864 00:46:03,914 --> 00:46:04,275: much 5865 00:46:04,275 --> 00:46:04,364: of 5866 00:46:04,364 --> 00:46:04,545: what 5867 00:46:04,545 --> 00:46:04,664: they 5868 00:46:04,664 --> 00:46:05,085: stood 5869 00:46:05,085 --> 00:46:06,014: for. 5870 00:46:06,014 --> 00:46:06,135: It 5871 00:46:06,135 --> 00:46:06,314: went 5872 00:46:06,314 --> 00:46:06,644: against 5873 00:46:06,644 --> 00:46:06,824: their 5874 00:46:06,824 --> 00:46:07,304: love 5875 00:46:07,304 --> 00:46:07,605: of 5876 00:46:07,605 --> 00:46:07,784: and 5877 00:46:07,784 --> 00:46:08,534: devotion 5878 00:46:08,534 --> 00:46:08,804: to 5879 00:46:08,804 --> 00:46:08,985: this 5880 00:46:08,985 --> 00:46:09,195: other 5881 00:46:09,195 --> 00:46:09,525: part 5882 00:46:09,525 --> 00:46:09,585: of 5883 00:46:09,585 --> 00:46:12,014: themself.
They 5884 00:46:12,014 --> 00:46:12,375: pushed 5885 00:46:12,375 --> 00:46:12,434: it 5886 00:46:12,434 --> 00:46:12,704: down 5887 00:46:12,704 --> 00:46:13,784: forcefully, 5888 00:46:13,784 --> 00:46:13,934: and 5889 00:46:13,934 --> 00:46:14,385: allowed 5890 00:46:14,385 --> 00:46:14,864: Abby’s 5891 00:46:14,864 --> 00:46:15,375: presence 5892 00:46:15,375 --> 00:46:15,554: to 5893 00:46:15,554 --> 00:46:16,005: fill 5894 00:46:16,005 --> 00:46:16,094: the 5895 00:46:16,094 --> 00:46:16,574: space 5896 00:46:16,574 --> 00:46:16,844: left 5897 00:46:16,844 --> 00:46:19,304: behind.
Perhaps 5898 00:46:19,304 --> 00:46:19,695: seeing 5899 00:46:19,695 --> 00:46:19,784: the 5900 00:46:19,784 --> 00:46:20,385: flash 5901 00:46:20,385 --> 00:46:20,505: of 5902 00:46:20,505 --> 00:46:21,045: distress 5903 00:46:21,045 --> 00:46:21,105: on 5904 00:46:21,105 --> 00:46:21,224: their 5905 00:46:21,224 --> 00:46:22,125: face, 5906 00:46:22,125 --> 00:46:22,485: Artie 5907 00:46:22,485 --> 00:46:22,965: rested 5908 00:46:22,965 --> 00:46:23,235: his 5909 00:46:23,235 --> 00:46:23,594: paw 5910 00:46:23,594 --> 00:46:23,775: on 5911 00:46:23,775 --> 00:46:23,864: their 5912 00:46:23,864 --> 00:46:24,764: shoulder, 5913 00:46:24,764 --> 00:46:25,125: giving 5914 00:46:25,125 --> 00:46:25,304: it 5915 00:46:25,304 --> 00:46:25,364: a 5916 00:46:25,364 --> 00:46:27,494: squeeze. 5917 00:46:27,494 --> 00:46:27,614: A 5918 00:46:27,614 --> 00:46:28,304: tacit 5919 00:46:28,304 --> 00:46:29,085: acknowledgment 5920 00:46:29,085 --> 00:46:29,295: of 5921 00:46:29,295 --> 00:46:29,414: the 5922 00:46:29,414 --> 00:46:30,014: difficulty 5923 00:46:30,014 --> 00:46:30,105: of 5924 00:46:30,105 --> 00:46:30,195: it 5925 00:46:30,195 --> 00:46:31,094: all. 5926 00:46:31,094 --> 00:46:31,244: It 5927 00:46:31,244 --> 00:46:31,335: was 5928 00:46:31,335 --> 00:46:31,394: a 5929 00:46:31,394 --> 00:46:31,695: touch 5930 00:46:31,695 --> 00:46:31,844: that 5931 00:46:31,844 --> 00:46:32,684: said, 5932 00:46:32,684 --> 00:46:32,925: I 5933 00:46:32,925 --> 00:46:34,244: understand, 5934 00:46:34,244 --> 00:46:35,054: and 5935 00:46:35,054 --> 00:46:35,264: we 5936 00:46:35,264 --> 00:46:35,684: both 5937 00:46:35,684 --> 00:46:36,164: know 5938 00:46:36,164 --> 00:46:36,344: it’s 5939 00:46:36,344 --> 00:46:36,525: for 5940 00:46:36,525 --> 00:46:36,614: the 5941 00:46:36,614 --> 00:46:37,784: best. 5942 00:46:37,784 --> 00:46:37,934: It 5943 00:46:37,934 --> 00:46:38,144: was 5944 00:46:38,144 --> 00:46:38,204: a 5945 00:46:38,204 --> 00:46:39,014: gesture 5946 00:46:39,014 --> 00:46:39,224: of 5947 00:46:39,224 --> 00:46:41,114: care.
They 5948 00:46:41,114 --> 00:46:41,505: nodded 5949 00:46:41,505 --> 00:46:42,675: decisively, 5950 00:46:42,675 --> 00:46:43,005: clapped 5951 00:46:43,005 --> 00:46:43,155: their 5952 00:46:43,155 --> 00:46:43,724: paw 5953 00:46:43,724 --> 00:46:44,054: against 5954 00:46:44,054 --> 00:46:44,445: Artie’s 5955 00:46:44,445 --> 00:46:44,985: forearm 5956 00:46:44,985 --> 00:46:46,215: companionably, 5957 00:46:46,215 --> 00:46:46,425: and 5958 00:46:46,425 --> 00:46:47,175: about-faced 5959 00:46:47,175 --> 00:46:47,324: to 5960 00:46:47,324 --> 00:46:47,744: trot 5961 00:46:47,744 --> 00:46:47,925: out 5962 00:46:47,925 --> 00:46:47,985: of 5963 00:46:47,985 --> 00:46:49,394: logistics. 5964 00:46:49,394 --> 00:46:49,605: They 5965 00:46:49,605 --> 00:46:50,045: tapped 5966 00:46:50,045 --> 00:46:50,204: their 5967 00:46:50,204 --> 00:46:50,474: way 5968 00:46:50,474 --> 00:46:50,804: through 5969 00:46:50,804 --> 00:46:51,195: comms 5970 00:46:51,195 --> 00:46:51,675: channels, 5971 00:46:51,675 --> 00:46:52,065: calling 5972 00:46:52,065 --> 00:46:53,054: out, “Gold 5973 00:46:53,054 --> 00:46:53,505: team, 5974 00:46:53,505 --> 00:46:53,775: meet 5975 00:46:53,775 --> 00:46:53,864: at 5976 00:46:53,864 --> 00:46:54,525: epi. 5977 00:46:54,525 --> 00:46:55,005: Engi, 5978 00:46:55,005 --> 00:46:55,364: prepare 5979 00:46:55,364 --> 00:46:55,485: for 5980 00:46:55,485 --> 00:46:55,994: possible 5981 00:46:55,994 --> 00:46:56,385: damage 5982 00:46:56,385 --> 00:46:56,534: up 5983 00:46:56,534 --> 00:46:56,715: near 5984 00:46:56,715 --> 00:46:57,344: dorms 5985 00:46:57,344 --> 00:46:57,434: and 5986 00:46:57,434 --> 00:46:57,914: northwest 5987 00:46:57,914 --> 00:46:59,715: solars. Parameds, 5988 00:46:59,715 --> 00:47:00,135: stay 5989 00:47:00,135 --> 00:47:02,204: alert.”
They 5990 00:47:02,204 --> 00:47:02,385: were 5991 00:47:02,385 --> 00:47:02,835: twenty 5992 00:47:02,835 --> 00:47:03,344: paces 5993 00:47:03,344 --> 00:47:03,855: away 5994 00:47:03,855 --> 00:47:04,034: from 5995 00:47:04,034 --> 00:47:04,125: the 5996 00:47:04,125 --> 00:47:04,635: door 5997 00:47:04,635 --> 00:47:05,744: to epistemics 5998 00:47:05,744 --> 00:47:05,985: when 5999 00:47:05,985 --> 00:47:06,255: two 6000 00:47:06,255 --> 00:47:07,094: announcements 6001 00:47:07,094 --> 00:47:07,514: rang out 6002 00:47:07,514 --> 00:47:07,664: at 6003 00:47:07,664 --> 00:47:10,094: once.
“Noöspheric 6004 00:47:10,094 --> 00:47:10,770: discharge 6005 00:47:10,770 --> 00:47:12,224: detected. 6006 00:47:12,224 --> 00:47:12,525: Glimmer 6007 00:47:12,525 --> 00:47:12,824: level 6008 00:47:12,824 --> 00:47:13,155: has 6009 00:47:13,155 --> 00:47:13,844: decreased 6010 00:47:13,844 --> 00:47:19,125: by 22 to 603Ψ,” the sophic grammateus stated 6011 00:47:19,125 --> 00:47:21,074: calmly.
An 6012 00:47:21,074 --> 00:47:21,675: automatic 6013 00:47:21,675 --> 00:47:21,885: crew 6014 00:47:21,885 --> 00:47:22,215: shift 6015 00:47:22,215 --> 00:47:22,574: change 6016 00:47:22,574 --> 00:47:23,054: shuttle 6017 00:47:23,054 --> 00:47:23,324: has 6018 00:47:23,324 --> 00:47:23,474: been 6019 00:47:23,474 --> 00:47:24,614: sent. 6020 00:47:24,614 --> 00:47:25,514: ETA: 6021 00:47:25,514 --> 00:47:25,905: ten 6022 00:47:25,905 --> 00:47:27,105: minutes. 6023 00:47:27,105 --> 00:47:27,525: Please 6024 00:47:27,525 --> 00:47:27,914: return 6025 00:47:27,914 --> 00:47:28,155: all 6026 00:47:28,155 --> 00:47:28,545: station 6027 00:47:28,545 --> 00:47:28,994: property 6028 00:47:28,994 --> 00:47:29,144: to 6029 00:47:29,144 --> 00:47:29,295: its 6030 00:47:29,295 --> 00:47:29,565: proper 6031 00:47:29,565 --> 00:47:30,764: locations, 6032 00:47:30,764 --> 00:47:31,066: clean 6033 00:47:31,066 --> 00:47:31,215: your 6034 00:47:31,215 --> 00:47:32,385: workstations, 6035 00:47:32,385 --> 00:47:32,534: and 6036 00:47:32,534 --> 00:47:33,045: proceed 6037 00:47:33,045 --> 00:47:33,135: to 6038 00:47:33,135 --> 00:47:33,255: the 6039 00:47:33,255 --> 00:47:33,614: southern 6040 00:47:33,614 --> 00:47:34,125: shuttle 6041 00:47:34,125 --> 00:47:37,155: airlocks.
The 6042 00:47:37,155 --> 00:47:37,485: shuttle 6043 00:47:37,485 --> 00:47:37,934: announcement 6044 00:47:37,934 --> 00:47:38,085: was 6045 00:47:38,085 --> 00:47:38,655: obscured 6046 00:47:38,655 --> 00:47:38,744: by 6047 00:47:38,744 --> 00:47:38,894: the 6048 00:47:38,894 --> 00:47:39,585: waterfall 6049 00:47:39,585 --> 00:47:39,945: rush 6050 00:47:39,945 --> 00:47:40,065: of 6051 00:47:40,065 --> 00:47:40,454: blood 6052 00:47:40,454 --> 00:47:40,545: in 6053 00:47:40,545 --> 00:47:40,724: their 6054 00:47:40,724 --> 00:47:41,235: ears 6055 00:47:41,235 --> 00:47:41,385: as 6056 00:47:41,385 --> 00:47:41,565: they 6057 00:47:41,565 --> 00:47:42,105: crumpled 6058 00:47:42,105 --> 00:47:42,195: to 6059 00:47:42,195 --> 00:47:42,315: the 6060 00:47:42,315 --> 00:47:43,155: floor 6061 00:47:43,155 --> 00:47:43,364: with 6062 00:47:43,364 --> 00:47:43,425: the 6063 00:47:43,425 --> 00:47:44,534: discharge — 6064 00:47:44,534 --> 00:47:44,835: as 6065 00:47:44,835 --> 00:47:44,985: did 6066 00:47:44,985 --> 00:47:45,344: everyone 6067 00:47:45,344 --> 00:47:45,554: else 6068 00:47:45,554 --> 00:47:45,644: in 6069 00:47:45,644 --> 00:47:45,704: the 6070 00:47:45,704 --> 00:47:46,994: hall. 6071 00:47:46,994 --> 00:47:47,144: The 6072 00:47:47,144 --> 00:47:47,505: general 6073 00:47:47,505 --> 00:47:47,835: comms 6074 00:47:47,835 --> 00:47:48,344: channel 6075 00:47:48,344 --> 00:47:49,155: erupted 6076 00:47:49,155 --> 00:47:49,304: in 6077 00:47:49,304 --> 00:47:49,335: a 6078 00:47:49,335 --> 00:47:49,605: mix 6079 00:47:49,605 --> 00:47:49,755: of 6080 00:47:49,755 --> 00:47:50,114: ragged 6081 00:47:50,114 --> 00:47:50,594: cheers 6082 00:47:50,594 --> 00:47:50,744: and 6083 00:47:50,744 --> 00:47:51,735: complaints 6084 00:47:51,735 --> 00:47:51,885: of 6085 00:47:51,885 --> 00:47:52,194: dropped 6086 00:47:52,194 --> 00:47:55,125: tools.
Soot!
They 6087 00:47:55,125 --> 00:47:55,514: shied 6088 00:47:55,514 --> 00:47:55,844: away 6089 00:47:55,844 --> 00:47:56,054: from 6090 00:47:56,054 --> 00:47:56,445: two 6091 00:47:56,445 --> 00:47:56,744: pairs 6092 00:47:56,744 --> 00:47:56,864: of 6093 00:47:56,864 --> 00:47:57,675: hands 6094 00:47:57,675 --> 00:47:58,244: clad 6095 00:47:58,244 --> 00:47:58,695: all 6096 00:47:58,695 --> 00:47:58,815: in 6097 00:47:58,815 --> 00:47:59,114: black 6098 00:47:59,114 --> 00:47:59,835: hardsuit 6099 00:47:59,835 --> 00:48:00,195: reaching 6100 00:48:00,195 --> 00:48:00,375: out 6101 00:48:00,375 --> 00:48:00,525: to 6102 00:48:00,525 --> 00:48:01,724: them. 6103 00:48:01,724 --> 00:48:02,085: Abby 6104 00:48:02,085 --> 00:48:02,295: was 6105 00:48:02,295 --> 00:48:02,505: there 6106 00:48:02,505 --> 00:48:02,684: with 6107 00:48:02,684 --> 00:48:02,954: them, 6108 00:48:02,954 --> 00:48:03,764: now, 6109 00:48:03,764 --> 00:48:04,994: imagined fists 6110 00:48:04,994 --> 00:48:05,505: balled 6111 00:48:05,505 --> 00:48:05,804: up, 6112 00:48:05,804 --> 00:48:06,105: beating 6113 00:48:06,105 --> 00:48:06,434: against 6114 00:48:06,434 --> 00:48:06,525: the 6115 00:48:06,525 --> 00:48:06,974: last 6116 00:48:06,974 --> 00:48:07,304: barrier 6117 00:48:07,304 --> 00:48:07,724: between 6118 00:48:07,724 --> 00:48:07,965: her 6119 00:48:07,965 --> 00:48:08,385: taking 6120 00:48:08,385 --> 00:48:09,224: front 6121 00:48:09,224 --> 00:48:09,405: and 6122 00:48:09,405 --> 00:48:09,614: their 6123 00:48:09,614 --> 00:48:10,065: control on 6124 00:48:10,065 --> 00:48:10,125: the 6125 00:48:10,125 --> 00:48:12,465: situation. 6126 00:48:12,465 --> 00:48:12,675: They 6127 00:48:12,675 --> 00:48:12,855: could 6128 00:48:12,855 --> 00:48:13,304: almost 6129 00:48:13,304 --> 00:48:13,664: see 6130 00:48:13,664 --> 00:48:14,385: her, 6131 00:48:14,385 --> 00:48:14,864: almost 6132 00:48:14,864 --> 00:48:15,195: see 6133 00:48:15,195 --> 00:48:15,525: this 6134 00:48:15,525 --> 00:48:15,974: ghost 6135 00:48:15,974 --> 00:48:16,094: of 6136 00:48:16,094 --> 00:48:16,275: who 6137 00:48:16,275 --> 00:48:16,425: they 6138 00:48:16,425 --> 00:48:16,724: used 6139 00:48:16,724 --> 00:48:16,844: to 6140 00:48:16,844 --> 00:48:17,655: be, 6141 00:48:17,655 --> 00:48:17,954: this 6142 00:48:17,954 --> 00:48:18,494: person 6143 00:48:18,494 --> 00:48:18,675: they 6144 00:48:18,675 --> 00:48:19,215: still 6145 00:48:19,215 --> 00:48:19,364: at 6146 00:48:19,364 --> 00:48:19,905: times 6147 00:48:19,905 --> 00:48:21,135: were. 6148 00:48:21,135 --> 00:48:21,315: They 6149 00:48:21,315 --> 00:48:21,554: could 6150 00:48:21,554 --> 00:48:22,034: almost 6151 00:48:22,034 --> 00:48:22,364: see 6152 00:48:22,364 --> 00:48:22,605: this 6153 00:48:22,605 --> 00:48:23,264: twelve-year-old 6154 00:48:23,264 --> 00:48:23,985: self 6155 00:48:23,985 --> 00:48:24,195: with 6156 00:48:24,195 --> 00:48:24,375: her 6157 00:48:24,375 --> 00:48:24,824: unruly 6158 00:48:24,824 --> 00:48:25,155: mop 6159 00:48:25,155 --> 00:48:25,275: of 6160 00:48:25,275 --> 00:48:25,905: hair 6161 00:48:25,905 --> 00:48:26,144: and 6162 00:48:26,144 --> 00:48:26,684: tears 6163 00:48:26,684 --> 00:48:27,224: streaming 6164 00:48:27,224 --> 00:48:27,525: down 6165 00:48:27,525 --> 00:48:27,675: her 6166 00:48:27,675 --> 00:48:31,364: cheeks.
Just…ten 6167 00:48:31,364 --> 00:48:31,635: more 6168 00:48:31,635 --> 00:48:32,594: minutes. 6169 00:48:32,594 --> 00:48:32,744: We just 6170 00:48:32,744 --> 00:48:33,014: need 6171 00:48:33,014 --> 00:48:33,135: to 6172 00:48:33,135 --> 00:48:33,315: get 6173 00:48:33,315 --> 00:48:33,405: on 6174 00:48:33,405 --> 00:48:33,494: the 6175 00:48:33,494 --> 00:48:34,005: shuttle, 6176 00:48:34,005 --> 00:48:34,275: little 6177 00:48:34,275 --> 00:48:36,164: one…
She 6178 00:48:36,164 --> 00:48:37,335: sobbed 6179 00:48:37,335 --> 00:48:37,875: within 6180 00:48:37,875 --> 00:48:38,625: them, 6181 00:48:38,625 --> 00:48:39,405: and, 6182 00:48:39,405 --> 00:48:39,644: with 6183 00:48:39,644 --> 00:48:39,735: a 6184 00:48:39,735 --> 00:48:40,514: start, 6185 00:48:40,514 --> 00:48:40,815: they 6186 00:48:40,815 --> 00:48:41,355: realized 6187 00:48:41,355 --> 00:48:41,474: that 6188 00:48:41,474 --> 00:48:41,715: they, 6189 00:48:41,715 --> 00:48:42,405: too, 6190 00:48:42,405 --> 00:48:42,644: were 6191 00:48:42,644 --> 00:48:44,925: crying.
They 6192 00:48:44,925 --> 00:48:45,465: finally 6193 00:48:45,465 --> 00:48:45,824: allowed 6194 00:48:45,824 --> 00:48:45,914: the 6195 00:48:45,914 --> 00:48:46,364: helping 6196 00:48:46,364 --> 00:48:46,724: hands of 6197 00:48:46,724 --> 00:48:46,844: the 6198 00:48:46,844 --> 00:48:47,144: two 6199 00:48:47,144 --> 00:48:47,474: gold 6200 00:48:47,474 --> 00:48:47,684: team 6201 00:48:47,684 --> 00:48:48,315: officers 6202 00:48:48,315 --> 00:48:48,465: to 6203 00:48:48,465 --> 00:48:48,764: lift 6204 00:48:48,764 --> 00:48:48,974: them 6205 00:48:48,974 --> 00:48:49,184: to 6206 00:48:49,184 --> 00:48:49,335: their 6207 00:48:49,335 --> 00:48:50,655: feet. 6208 00:48:50,655 --> 00:48:51,135: Brushing 6209 00:48:51,135 --> 00:48:51,255: their 6210 00:48:51,255 --> 00:48:51,797: uniform 6211 00:48:51,797 --> 00:48:52,394: straight 6212 00:48:52,394 --> 00:48:52,605: with 6213 00:48:52,605 --> 00:48:53,474: trembling, 6214 00:48:53,474 --> 00:48:53,985: tingling 6215 00:48:53,985 --> 00:48:54,885: paws, 6216 00:48:54,885 --> 00:48:55,125: they 6217 00:48:55,125 --> 00:48:55,844: gasped 6218 00:48:55,844 --> 00:48:55,934: a 6219 00:48:55,934 --> 00:48:56,925: thank-you 6220 00:48:56,925 --> 00:48:57,135: and 6221 00:48:57,135 --> 00:48:57,578: dashed 6222 00:48:57,578 --> 00:48:57,675: the 6223 00:48:57,675 --> 00:48:58,005: last 6224 00:48:58,005 --> 00:48:58,244: few 6225 00:48:58,244 --> 00:48:58,934: meters 6226 00:48:58,934 --> 00:48:59,114: to 6227 00:48:59,114 --> 00:49:03,585: epistemics.
“Cleo!”
“Here, 6228 00:49:03,585 --> 00:49:04,215: cap!” 6229 00:49:04,215 --> 00:49:04,454: she 6230 00:49:04,454 --> 00:49:04,815: hollered 6231 00:49:04,815 --> 00:49:04,965: from 6232 00:49:04,965 --> 00:49:05,114: where 6233 00:49:05,114 --> 00:49:05,204: the 6234 00:49:05,204 --> 00:49:05,565: last 6235 00:49:05,565 --> 00:49:05,985: artifact 6236 00:49:05,985 --> 00:49:06,105: was 6237 00:49:06,105 --> 00:49:06,255: being 6238 00:49:06,255 --> 00:49:06,585: locked 6239 00:49:06,585 --> 00:49:08,324: away. “I– 6240 00:49:08,324 --> 00:49:08,625: oh, 6241 00:49:08,625 --> 00:49:09,164: shit, 6242 00:49:09,164 --> 00:49:09,375: you 6243 00:49:09,375 --> 00:49:11,054: okay?”
They 6244 00:49:11,054 --> 00:49:11,414: barked 6245 00:49:11,414 --> 00:49:11,474: a 6246 00:49:11,474 --> 00:49:11,804: hoarse 6247 00:49:11,804 --> 00:49:12,045: laugh 6248 00:49:12,045 --> 00:49:12,164: and 6249 00:49:12,164 --> 00:49:12,375: shook 6250 00:49:12,375 --> 00:49:12,494: their 6251 00:49:12,494 --> 00:49:14,594: head. “No, 6252 00:49:14,594 --> 00:49:14,864: but 6253 00:49:14,864 --> 00:49:15,135: we’re 6254 00:49:15,135 --> 00:49:15,284: on 6255 00:49:15,284 --> 00:49:15,405: our 6256 00:49:15,405 --> 00:49:15,644: way 6257 00:49:15,644 --> 00:49:16,335: home, 6258 00:49:16,335 --> 00:49:17,385: right? 6259 00:49:17,385 --> 00:49:17,594: Any 6260 00:49:17,594 --> 00:49:17,894: further 6261 00:49:17,894 --> 00:49:18,164: news 6262 00:49:18,164 --> 00:49:18,255: on 6263 00:49:18,255 --> 00:49:19,425: the prober? 6264 00:49:19,425 --> 00:49:19,514: Do 6265 00:49:19,514 --> 00:49:19,605: you 6266 00:49:19,605 --> 00:49:19,875: have 6267 00:49:19,875 --> 00:49:19,994: what 6268 00:49:19,994 --> 00:49:20,114: you 6269 00:49:20,114 --> 00:49:20,385: need 6270 00:49:20,385 --> 00:49:20,505: to 6271 00:49:20,505 --> 00:49:20,804: build 6272 00:49:20,804 --> 00:49:20,864: a 6273 00:49:20,864 --> 00:49:21,195: glimmer 6274 00:49:21,195 --> 00:49:25,065: drain?”
“Uh…alright,” 6275 00:49:25,065 --> 00:49:25,394: she 6276 00:49:25,394 --> 00:49:25,815: said, 6277 00:49:25,815 --> 00:49:26,295: clearly 6278 00:49:26,295 --> 00:49:26,655: still 6279 00:49:26,655 --> 00:49:27,405: wrong-footed 6280 00:49:27,405 --> 00:49:27,554: by 6281 00:49:27,554 --> 00:49:28,005: whatever 6282 00:49:28,005 --> 00:49:28,724: expression 6283 00:49:28,724 --> 00:49:28,905: they 6284 00:49:28,905 --> 00:49:29,235: wore 6285 00:49:29,235 --> 00:49:29,385: on 6286 00:49:29,385 --> 00:49:29,534: their 6287 00:49:29,534 --> 00:49:31,605: face. “Right. 6288 00:49:31,605 --> 00:49:31,905: No 6289 00:49:31,905 --> 00:49:32,534: news. 6290 00:49:32,534 --> 00:49:32,804: No 6291 00:49:32,804 --> 00:49:32,985: one 6292 00:49:32,985 --> 00:49:33,135: was 6293 00:49:33,135 --> 00:49:33,824: nearby. 6294 00:49:33,824 --> 00:49:34,095: Just 6295 00:49:34,095 --> 00:49:34,154: a 6296 00:49:34,154 --> 00:49:35,264: mostly-finished 6297 00:49:35,264 --> 00:49:35,804: prober 6298 00:49:35,804 --> 00:49:36,344: masked in 6299 00:49:36,344 --> 00:49:36,405: a 6300 00:49:36,405 --> 00:49:36,704: hole 6301 00:49:36,704 --> 00:49:36,795: in 6302 00:49:36,795 --> 00:49:36,885: the 6303 00:49:36,885 --> 00:49:37,875: wall, 6304 00:49:37,875 --> 00:49:38,025: and 6305 00:49:38,025 --> 00:49:38,175: we’re 6306 00:49:38,175 --> 00:49:38,445: still 6307 00:49:38,445 --> 00:49:38,715: short 6308 00:49:38,715 --> 00:49:38,835: on 6309 00:49:38,835 --> 00:49:39,195: ecto 6310 00:49:39,195 --> 00:49:39,375: for 6311 00:49:39,375 --> 00:49:39,465: the 6312 00:49:39,465 --> 00:49:40,875: drain. 6313 00:49:40,875 --> 00:49:41,594: Hey, 6314 00:49:41,594 --> 00:49:41,684: are 6315 00:49:41,684 --> 00:49:41,864: you 6316 00:49:41,864 --> 00:49:42,344: sure 6317 00:49:42,344 --> 00:49:42,585: you’re 6318 00:49:42,585 --> 00:49:44,534: okay?”
They 6319 00:49:44,534 --> 00:49:45,074: swayed 6320 00:49:45,074 --> 00:49:45,164: on 6321 00:49:45,164 --> 00:49:45,284: their 6322 00:49:45,284 --> 00:49:45,644: feet 6323 00:49:45,644 --> 00:49:45,855: for 6324 00:49:45,855 --> 00:49:45,914: a 6325 00:49:45,914 --> 00:49:46,695: moment, 6326 00:49:46,695 --> 00:49:46,994: then 6327 00:49:46,994 --> 00:49:47,474: beckoned 6328 00:49:47,474 --> 00:49:48,045: Cleo 6329 00:49:48,045 --> 00:49:48,195: and 6330 00:49:48,195 --> 00:49:48,284: their 6331 00:49:48,284 --> 00:49:48,735: security 6332 00:49:48,735 --> 00:49:49,155: detail 6333 00:49:49,155 --> 00:49:49,244: to 6334 00:49:49,244 --> 00:49:49,545: follow 6335 00:49:49,545 --> 00:49:50,385: them. 6336 00:49:50,385 --> 00:49:50,594: They 6337 00:49:50,594 --> 00:49:50,925: bumped 6338 00:49:50,925 --> 00:49:51,074: their 6339 00:49:51,074 --> 00:49:51,344: hip 6340 00:49:51,344 --> 00:49:51,704: against 6341 00:49:51,704 --> 00:49:52,075: Cleo’s 6342 00:49:52,075 --> 00:49:52,454: secure 6343 00:49:52,454 --> 00:49:52,784: office 6344 00:49:52,784 --> 00:49:53,625: door, 6345 00:49:53,625 --> 00:49:54,045: opening 6346 00:49:54,045 --> 00:49:54,135: it 6347 00:49:54,135 --> 00:49:54,255: with 6348 00:49:54,255 --> 00:49:54,375: their 6349 00:49:54,375 --> 00:49:54,764: override 6350 00:49:54,764 --> 00:49:55,695: access, 6351 00:49:55,695 --> 00:49:55,934: and 6352 00:49:55,934 --> 00:49:56,505: ushered 6353 00:49:56,505 --> 00:49:57,195: everyone 6354 00:49:57,195 --> 00:50:00,045: inside. “I’ll 6355 00:50:00,045 --> 00:50:00,164: be 6356 00:50:00,164 --> 00:50:00,704: speaking 6357 00:50:00,704 --> 00:50:01,065: this 6358 00:50:01,065 --> 00:50:01,215: on 6359 00:50:01,215 --> 00:50:01,635: command 6360 00:50:01,635 --> 00:50:02,085: comms, 6361 00:50:02,085 --> 00:50:03,704: understood?”
The 6362 00:50:03,704 --> 00:50:03,914: two 6363 00:50:03,914 --> 00:50:04,514: secoffs 6364 00:50:04,514 --> 00:50:04,635: and 6365 00:50:04,635 --> 00:50:05,414: the mystagogue 6366 00:50:05,414 --> 00:50:05,804: both 6367 00:50:05,804 --> 00:50:06,914: nodded. 6368 00:50:06,914 --> 00:50:07,454: Cleo’s 6369 00:50:07,454 --> 00:50:07,875: eyes 6370 00:50:07,875 --> 00:50:07,965: were 6371 00:50:07,965 --> 00:50:09,824: wide.
They 6372 00:50:09,824 --> 00:50:10,155: tapped 6373 00:50:10,155 --> 00:50:10,304: their 6374 00:50:10,304 --> 00:50:10,965: radio 6375 00:50:10,965 --> 00:50:11,204: and 6376 00:50:11,204 --> 00:50:14,144: spoke. “Foreseeing 6377 00:50:14,144 --> 00:50:14,204: a 6378 00:50:14,204 --> 00:50:15,074: psychological 6379 00:50:15,074 --> 00:50:15,885: shift 6380 00:50:15,885 --> 00:50:16,155: and 6381 00:50:16,155 --> 00:50:16,364: as 6382 00:50:16,364 --> 00:50:16,725: stated 6383 00:50:16,725 --> 00:50:16,784: in 6384 00:50:16,784 --> 00:50:16,875: my 6385 00:50:16,875 --> 00:50:17,204: medical 6386 00:50:17,204 --> 00:50:17,954: records, 6387 00:50:17,954 --> 00:50:18,074: I 6388 00:50:18,074 --> 00:50:18,824: preemptively 6389 00:50:18,824 --> 00:50:19,364: name 6390 00:50:19,364 --> 00:50:19,774: Cleo 6391 00:50:19,774 --> 00:50:20,414: Lord, 6392 00:50:20,414 --> 00:50:21,315: mystagogue, 6393 00:50:21,315 --> 00:50:21,735: acting 6394 00:50:21,735 --> 00:50:22,184: commanding 6395 00:50:22,184 --> 00:50:23,175: officer. 6396 00:50:23,175 --> 00:50:25,236: Objections?”
Cleo 6397 00:50:25,236 --> 00:50:25,875: stood, 6398 00:50:25,875 --> 00:50:26,565: agog, 6399 00:50:26,565 --> 00:50:26,775: as 6400 00:50:26,775 --> 00:50:26,835: the 6401 00:50:26,835 --> 00:50:27,315: leadership 6402 00:50:27,315 --> 00:50:27,735: team 6403 00:50:27,735 --> 00:50:28,184: called 6404 00:50:28,184 --> 00:50:28,304: in 6405 00:50:28,304 --> 00:50:28,485: their 6406 00:50:28,485 --> 00:50:29,385: assent. 6407 00:50:29,385 --> 00:50:29,625: Head 6408 00:50:29,625 --> 00:50:29,715: of 6409 00:50:29,715 --> 00:50:30,675: security. 6410 00:50:30,675 --> 00:50:30,914: Head 6411 00:50:30,914 --> 00:50:31,005: of 6412 00:50:31,005 --> 00:50:32,114: personnel. 6413 00:50:32,114 --> 00:50:32,474: Chief 6414 00:50:32,474 --> 00:50:32,864: medical 6415 00:50:32,864 --> 00:50:33,465: officer. 6416 00:50:33,465 --> 00:50:34,065: Logistics 6417 00:50:34,065 --> 00:50:35,295: officer. 6418 00:50:35,295 --> 00:50:35,414: The 6419 00:50:35,414 --> 00:50:35,835: chief 6420 00:50:35,835 --> 00:50:36,855: engineer, 6421 00:50:36,855 --> 00:50:36,974: a 6422 00:50:36,974 --> 00:50:37,364: skittish 6423 00:50:37,364 --> 00:50:38,175: rodentia 6424 00:50:38,175 --> 00:50:38,295: who 6425 00:50:38,295 --> 00:50:38,414: was 6426 00:50:38,414 --> 00:50:38,864: always 6427 00:50:38,864 --> 00:50:39,135: quick 6428 00:50:39,135 --> 00:50:39,315: with 6429 00:50:39,315 --> 00:50:39,375: a 6430 00:50:39,375 --> 00:50:39,974: quip, 6431 00:50:39,974 --> 00:50:40,244: just 6432 00:50:40,244 --> 00:50:40,485: called 6433 00:50:40,485 --> 00:50:41,445: out, “Better 6434 00:50:41,445 --> 00:50:41,744: you’n 6435 00:50:41,744 --> 00:50:41,954: me, 6436 00:50:41,954 --> 00:50:45,244: boss!”
“Cleo?”
She 6437 00:50:45,244 --> 00:50:45,784: stared 6438 00:50:45,784 --> 00:50:45,815: a 6439 00:50:45,815 --> 00:50:46,144: moment 6440 00:50:46,144 --> 00:50:46,954: longer, 6441 00:50:46,954 --> 00:50:47,284: then 6442 00:50:47,284 --> 00:50:47,675: coughed 6443 00:50:47,675 --> 00:50:47,764: and 6444 00:50:47,764 --> 00:50:48,094: shuffled 6445 00:50:48,094 --> 00:50:48,184: her 6446 00:50:48,184 --> 00:50:48,605: feet 6447 00:50:48,605 --> 00:50:48,724: on 6448 00:50:48,724 --> 00:50:48,815: the 6449 00:50:48,815 --> 00:50:49,204: steel 6450 00:50:49,204 --> 00:50:49,655: tile 6451 00:50:49,655 --> 00:50:49,744: of 6452 00:50:49,744 --> 00:50:49,894: her 6453 00:50:49,894 --> 00:50:53,375: office. “Well…alright. 6454 00:50:53,375 --> 00:50:54,815: I’ll uh…just 6455 00:50:54,815 --> 00:50:55,054: let 6456 00:50:55,054 --> 00:50:55,414: everyone 6457 00:50:55,414 --> 00:50:55,534: do 6458 00:50:55,534 --> 00:50:55,655: what 6459 00:50:55,655 --> 00:50:55,744: they 6460 00:50:55,744 --> 00:50:56,164: need 6461 00:50:56,164 --> 00:50:56,284: to 6462 00:50:56,284 --> 00:50:56,525: keep 6463 00:50:56,525 --> 00:50:56,614: the 6464 00:50:56,614 --> 00:50:56,914: shift 6465 00:50:56,914 --> 00:50:57,215: running 6466 00:50:57,215 --> 00:50:57,274: as 6467 00:50:57,274 --> 00:50:57,574: smooth 6468 00:50:57,574 --> 00:50:57,664: as 6469 00:50:57,664 --> 00:51:00,155: possible.”
“You’re 6470 00:51:00,155 --> 00:51:00,514: already 6471 00:51:00,514 --> 00:51:00,784: better 6472 00:51:00,784 --> 00:51:00,905: than 6473 00:51:00,905 --> 00:51:01,235: most 6474 00:51:01,235 --> 00:51:02,284: captains,” 6475 00:51:02,284 --> 00:51:02,675: chimed 6476 00:51:02,675 --> 00:51:02,824: in 6477 00:51:02,824 --> 00:51:03,034: the 6478 00:51:03,034 --> 00:51:04,894: LO.
Soot 6479 00:51:04,894 --> 00:51:06,184: nodded. “That’s 6480 00:51:06,184 --> 00:51:06,275: what 6481 00:51:06,275 --> 00:51:06,335: a 6482 00:51:06,335 --> 00:51:06,514: good 6483 00:51:06,514 --> 00:51:06,934: captain 6484 00:51:06,934 --> 00:51:07,655: does. 6485 00:51:07,655 --> 00:51:08,074: Trust 6486 00:51:08,074 --> 00:51:08,164: the 6487 00:51:08,164 --> 00:51:08,375: other 6488 00:51:08,375 --> 00:51:10,414: heads.”
Cleo 6489 00:51:10,414 --> 00:51:10,715: gave 6490 00:51:10,715 --> 00:51:10,744: a 6491 00:51:10,744 --> 00:51:11,164: shaky 6492 00:51:11,164 --> 00:51:12,275: smile, 6493 00:51:12,275 --> 00:51:13,235: bowed, 6494 00:51:13,235 --> 00:51:13,355: and 6495 00:51:13,355 --> 00:51:13,534: then 6496 00:51:13,534 --> 00:51:13,954: dashed 6497 00:51:13,954 --> 00:51:14,135: out 6498 00:51:14,135 --> 00:51:14,224: of 6499 00:51:14,224 --> 00:51:14,344: the 6500 00:51:14,344 --> 00:51:15,425: office, 6501 00:51:15,425 --> 00:51:15,994: Soot 6502 00:51:15,994 --> 00:51:16,114: and 6503 00:51:16,114 --> 00:51:16,175: the 6504 00:51:16,175 --> 00:51:16,385: two 6505 00:51:16,385 --> 00:51:17,014: SeCoffs 6506 00:51:17,014 --> 00:51:17,644: following 6507 00:51:17,644 --> 00:51:18,000: with 6508 00:51:18,000 --> 00:51:18,514: at a slower 6509 00:51:18,514 --> 00:51:19,894: pace.
Eight 6510 00:51:19,894 --> 00:51:20,224: minutes 6511 00:51:20,224 --> 00:51:21,335: left.
They 6512 00:51:21,335 --> 00:51:21,784: trudged 6513 00:51:21,784 --> 00:51:21,994: all 6514 00:51:21,994 --> 00:51:22,085: the 6515 00:51:22,085 --> 00:51:22,235: way 6516 00:51:22,235 --> 00:51:23,074: station-north 6517 00:51:23,074 --> 00:51:23,195: to 6518 00:51:23,195 --> 00:51:23,284: the 6519 00:51:23,284 --> 00:51:24,514: bridge.
Seven 6520 00:51:24,514 --> 00:51:25,894: minutes.
Just 6521 00:51:25,894 --> 00:51:25,925: a 6522 00:51:25,925 --> 00:51:26,434: moment 6523 00:51:26,434 --> 00:51:26,554: of 6524 00:51:26,554 --> 00:51:27,005: quiet 6525 00:51:27,005 --> 00:51:27,275: back 6526 00:51:27,275 --> 00:51:27,364: in 6527 00:51:27,364 --> 00:51:27,485: their 6528 00:51:27,485 --> 00:51:28,054: bedroom 6529 00:51:28,054 --> 00:51:28,204: to 6530 00:51:28,204 --> 00:51:28,474: grab 6531 00:51:28,474 --> 00:51:28,565: the 6532 00:51:28,565 --> 00:51:28,864: medal 6533 00:51:28,864 --> 00:51:28,954: of 6534 00:51:28,954 --> 00:51:30,005: crewmanship 6535 00:51:30,005 --> 00:51:30,244: that 6536 00:51:30,244 --> 00:51:30,754: Cleo 6537 00:51:30,754 --> 00:51:31,054: most 6538 00:51:31,054 --> 00:51:31,565: certainly 6539 00:51:31,565 --> 00:51:34,324: deserved.
Six.
They 6540 00:51:34,324 --> 00:51:34,414: were 6541 00:51:34,414 --> 00:51:34,655: running 6542 00:51:34,655 --> 00:51:34,985: against 6543 00:51:34,985 --> 00:51:35,045: the 6544 00:51:35,045 --> 00:51:35,434: clock, 6545 00:51:35,434 --> 00:51:36,125: here, 6546 00:51:36,125 --> 00:51:36,304: and 6547 00:51:36,304 --> 00:51:36,695: still 6548 00:51:36,695 --> 00:51:36,815: there 6549 00:51:36,815 --> 00:51:36,965: was 6550 00:51:36,965 --> 00:51:37,204: no 6551 00:51:37,204 --> 00:51:37,474: word 6552 00:51:37,474 --> 00:51:37,534: on 6553 00:51:37,534 --> 00:51:37,625: this 6554 00:51:37,625 --> 00:51:37,985: second 6555 00:51:37,985 --> 00:51:38,855: prober 6556 00:51:38,855 --> 00:51:39,005: and 6557 00:51:39,005 --> 00:51:39,275: just 6558 00:51:39,275 --> 00:51:39,485: who 6559 00:51:39,485 --> 00:51:39,605: it 6560 00:51:39,605 --> 00:51:39,994: was 6561 00:51:39,994 --> 00:51:40,173: that 6562 00:51:40,173 --> 00:51:40,295: had 6563 00:51:40,295 --> 00:51:40,474: been 6564 00:51:40,474 --> 00:51:40,894: building 6565 00:51:40,894 --> 00:51:42,275: it.
With 6566 00:51:42,275 --> 00:51:42,664: five 6567 00:51:42,664 --> 00:51:42,965: minutes 6568 00:51:42,965 --> 00:51:43,114: to 6569 00:51:43,114 --> 00:51:43,414: go 6570 00:51:43,414 --> 00:51:43,625: until 6571 00:51:43,625 --> 00:51:43,684: the 6572 00:51:43,684 --> 00:51:43,985: shuttle 6573 00:51:43,985 --> 00:51:44,914: arrived, 6574 00:51:44,914 --> 00:51:45,034: there 6575 00:51:45,034 --> 00:51:45,184: was 6576 00:51:45,184 --> 00:51:45,215: a 6577 00:51:45,215 --> 00:51:45,605: sudden 6578 00:51:45,605 --> 00:51:46,114: flurry 6579 00:51:46,114 --> 00:51:46,204: of 6580 00:51:46,204 --> 00:51:46,864: activity 6581 00:51:46,864 --> 00:51:47,045: over 6582 00:51:47,045 --> 00:51:47,494: security 6583 00:51:47,494 --> 00:51:48,574: comms 6584 00:51:48,574 --> 00:51:48,815: as 6585 00:51:48,815 --> 00:51:48,994: the 6586 00:51:48,994 --> 00:51:49,204: other 6587 00:51:49,204 --> 00:51:49,445: two 6588 00:51:49,445 --> 00:51:49,835: security 6589 00:51:49,835 --> 00:51:50,434: teams 6590 00:51:50,434 --> 00:51:50,945: executed 6591 00:51:50,945 --> 00:51:51,094: their 6592 00:51:51,094 --> 00:51:52,864: search.
“West 6593 00:51:52,864 --> 00:51:53,195: maints! 6594 00:51:53,195 --> 00:51:53,494: Running 6595 00:51:53,494 --> 00:51:56,735: south!”
“Heard!”
“Botanist 6596 00:51:56,735 --> 00:51:56,974: has 6597 00:51:56,974 --> 00:51:57,034: a 6598 00:51:57,034 --> 00:51:58,684: shiv.”
“Watch 6599 00:51:58,684 --> 00:51:58,804: it! 6600 00:51:58,804 --> 00:51:59,135: Watch 6601 00:51:59,135 --> 00:51:59,554: it! 6602 00:51:59,554 --> 00:52:01,505: Motherfucker–”
“Suspect 6603 00:52:01,505 --> 00:52:03,275: down.”
A 6604 00:52:03,275 --> 00:52:03,784: glance 6605 00:52:03,784 --> 00:52:03,875: in 6606 00:52:03,875 --> 00:52:03,965: the 6607 00:52:03,965 --> 00:52:04,505: mirror, 6608 00:52:04,505 --> 00:52:04,625: and 6609 00:52:04,625 --> 00:52:04,744: they 6610 00:52:04,744 --> 00:52:05,135: saw 6611 00:52:05,135 --> 00:52:05,494: just 6612 00:52:05,494 --> 00:52:05,614: to the 6613 00:52:05,614 --> 00:52:06,364: left, 6614 00:52:06,364 --> 00:52:06,755: half 6615 00:52:06,755 --> 00:52:07,565: super imposed 6616 00:52:07,565 --> 00:52:07,684: over 6617 00:52:07,684 --> 00:52:09,545: themself, Abby, 6618 00:52:09,545 --> 00:52:10,235: straining 6619 00:52:10,235 --> 00:52:10,385: to 6620 00:52:10,385 --> 00:52:10,534: be 6621 00:52:10,534 --> 00:52:11,585: free. 6622 00:52:11,585 --> 00:52:11,855: They 6623 00:52:11,855 --> 00:52:12,094: were 6624 00:52:12,094 --> 00:52:13,264: in two: 6625 00:52:13,264 --> 00:52:13,625: Abby 6626 00:52:13,625 --> 00:52:13,985: felt 6627 00:52:13,985 --> 00:52:14,764: terror; 6628 00:52:14,764 --> 00:52:15,184: Soot 6629 00:52:15,184 --> 00:52:15,454: felt 6630 00:52:15,454 --> 00:52:15,755: only 6631 00:52:15,755 --> 00:52:16,204: relief 6632 00:52:16,204 --> 00:52:16,324: that 6633 00:52:16,324 --> 00:52:16,385: a 6634 00:52:16,385 --> 00:52:16,985: resolution 6635 00:52:16,985 --> 00:52:17,164: was 6636 00:52:17,164 --> 00:52:20,255: in sight.
“Status?” 6637 00:52:20,255 --> 00:52:20,434: they 6638 00:52:20,434 --> 00:52:21,034: whispered 6639 00:52:21,034 --> 00:52:23,284: hoarsely.
“Botanist 6640 00:52:23,284 --> 00:52:23,525: ran 6641 00:52:23,525 --> 00:52:23,855: into 6642 00:52:23,855 --> 00:52:24,065: do 6643 00:52:24,065 --> 00:52:24,425: something 6644 00:52:24,425 --> 00:52:24,514: to 6645 00:52:24,514 --> 00:52:24,635: the 6646 00:52:24,635 --> 00:52:25,775: prober,” came Artie’s 6647 00:52:25,775 --> 00:52:26,195: ever-calm 6648 00:52:26,195 --> 00:52:27,184: voice. “He 6649 00:52:27,184 --> 00:52:27,454: ran 6650 00:52:27,454 --> 00:52:27,695: right 6651 00:52:27,695 --> 00:52:27,875: into 6652 00:52:27,875 --> 00:52:28,175: green 6653 00:52:28,175 --> 00:52:28,655: team, 6654 00:52:28,655 --> 00:52:28,985: dropped 6655 00:52:28,985 --> 00:52:29,014: a 6656 00:52:29,014 --> 00:52:29,375: welder, 6657 00:52:29,375 --> 00:52:29,525: and 6658 00:52:29,525 --> 00:52:29,736: drew 6659 00:52:29,736 --> 00:52:29,764: a 6660 00:52:29,764 --> 00:52:31,684: shiv.”
One 6661 00:52:31,684 --> 00:52:31,744: of 6662 00:52:31,744 --> 00:52:31,894: the 6663 00:52:31,894 --> 00:52:32,074: other 6664 00:52:32,074 --> 00:52:32,735: officers 6665 00:52:32,735 --> 00:52:33,155: chimed 6666 00:52:33,155 --> 00:52:33,724: in, 6667 00:52:33,724 --> 00:52:33,844: the 6668 00:52:33,844 --> 00:52:34,235: muted 6669 00:52:34,235 --> 00:52:34,625: sound 6670 00:52:34,625 --> 00:52:34,715: of 6671 00:52:34,715 --> 00:52:35,164: hollering 6672 00:52:35,164 --> 00:52:35,255: in 6673 00:52:35,255 --> 00:52:35,315: the 6674 00:52:35,315 --> 00:52:36,724: background. “He 6675 00:52:36,724 --> 00:52:36,934: went 6676 00:52:36,934 --> 00:52:37,144: down 6677 00:52:37,144 --> 00:52:37,236: with 6678 00:52:37,236 --> 00:52:37,324: a 6679 00:52:37,324 --> 00:52:38,105: stun-flash. 6680 00:52:38,105 --> 00:52:38,224: We 6681 00:52:38,224 --> 00:52:38,523: have him 6682 00:52:38,523 --> 00:52:39,335: cuffed. 6683 00:52:39,335 --> 00:52:39,514: What 6684 00:52:39,514 --> 00:52:39,639: should 6685 00:52:39,639 --> 00:52:39,755: we do with 6686 00:52:39,755 --> 00:52:39,875: the 6687 00:52:39,875 --> 00:52:40,414: prober? 6688 00:52:40,414 --> 00:52:40,565: There’s 6689 00:52:40,565 --> 00:52:40,625: a 6690 00:52:40,625 --> 00:52:40,835: bunch 6691 00:52:40,835 --> 00:52:40,925: of 6692 00:52:40,925 --> 00:52:41,105: those 6693 00:52:41,105 --> 00:52:41,405: blue 6694 00:52:41,405 --> 00:52:41,764: crystal 6695 00:52:41,764 --> 00:52:42,335: matrices 6696 00:52:42,335 --> 00:52:42,605: laying 6697 00:52:42,605 --> 00:52:42,905: around 6698 00:52:42,905 --> 00:52:42,994: it 6699 00:52:42,994 --> 00:52:44,885: now.”
Keeping 6700 00:52:44,885 --> 00:52:45,094: their 6701 00:52:45,094 --> 00:52:45,514: eyes 6702 00:52:45,514 --> 00:52:45,815: locked 6703 00:52:45,815 --> 00:52:45,934: on 6704 00:52:45,934 --> 00:52:46,715: Abby’s, 6705 00:52:46,715 --> 00:52:46,894: they 6706 00:52:46,894 --> 00:52:47,315: spoke 6707 00:52:47,315 --> 00:52:49,864: mechanically. “Just 6708 00:52:49,864 --> 00:52:50,344: don’t 6709 00:52:50,344 --> 00:52:50,795: touch 6710 00:52:50,795 --> 00:52:51,994: anything. 6711 00:52:51,994 --> 00:52:52,187: I’ll 6712 00:52:52,187 --> 00:52:52,385: let 6713 00:52:52,385 --> 00:52:53,164: CentComm 6714 00:52:53,164 --> 00:52:53,494: know that 6715 00:52:53,494 --> 00:52:53,704: they 6716 00:52:53,704 --> 00:52:54,034: need 6717 00:52:54,034 --> 00:52:54,125: to 6718 00:52:54,125 --> 00:52:54,485: send 6719 00:52:54,485 --> 00:52:54,605: in 6720 00:52:54,605 --> 00:52:54,635: a 6721 00:52:54,635 --> 00:52:55,144: crew 6722 00:52:55,144 --> 00:52:55,295: to 6723 00:52:55,295 --> 00:52:55,534: take 6724 00:52:55,534 --> 00:52:55,804: care 6725 00:52:55,804 --> 00:52:55,925: of 6726 00:52:55,925 --> 00:52:59,494: it.”
“Heard.”
“Shuttle in 6727 00:52:59,494 --> 00:53:00,275: four,” 6728 00:53:00,275 --> 00:53:00,574: Artie 6729 00:53:00,574 --> 00:53:01,775: said. “We’ll 6730 00:53:01,775 --> 00:53:02,045: bring 6731 00:53:02,045 --> 00:53:02,195: him 6732 00:53:02,195 --> 00:53:02,284: to 6733 00:53:02,284 --> 00:53:02,855: Central 6734 00:53:02,855 --> 00:53:02,945: and 6735 00:53:02,945 --> 00:53:03,094: they 6736 00:53:03,094 --> 00:53:03,244: can 6737 00:53:03,244 --> 00:53:03,394: deal 6738 00:53:03,394 --> 00:53:03,514: with 6739 00:53:03,514 --> 00:53:03,635: him 6740 00:53:03,635 --> 00:53:04,534: there. 6741 00:53:04,534 --> 00:53:05,105: AI, 6742 00:53:05,105 --> 00:53:05,375: drop 6743 00:53:05,375 --> 00:53:05,585: from 6744 00:53:05,585 --> 00:53:05,795: blue 6745 00:53:05,795 --> 00:53:05,885: to 6746 00:53:05,885 --> 00:53:10,085: white.”
Attention! 6747 00:53:10,085 --> 00:53:10,625: Station 6748 00:53:10,625 --> 00:53:10,985: alert 6749 00:53:10,985 --> 00:53:11,344: level 6750 00:53:11,344 --> 00:53:11,585: has 6751 00:53:11,585 --> 00:53:11,704: been 6752 00:53:11,704 --> 00:53:12,005: set 6753 00:53:12,005 --> 00:53:12,184: to 6754 00:53:12,184 --> 00:53:13,355: white!
The 6755 00:53:13,355 --> 00:53:14,014: station 6756 00:53:14,014 --> 00:53:14,135: is 6757 00:53:14,135 --> 00:53:14,704: suffering 6758 00:53:14,704 --> 00:53:15,244: dangerously 6759 00:53:15,244 --> 00:53:15,605: high 6760 00:53:15,605 --> 00:53:15,905: levels 6761 00:53:15,905 --> 00:53:16,025: of 6762 00:53:16,025 --> 00:53:16,894: glimmer, 6763 00:53:16,894 --> 00:53:17,105: there 6764 00:53:17,105 --> 00:53:17,315: are 6765 00:53:17,315 --> 00:53:17,885: several 6766 00:53:17,885 --> 00:53:18,364: active 6767 00:53:18,364 --> 00:53:18,844: psionic 6768 00:53:18,844 --> 00:53:19,835: threats, 6769 00:53:19,835 --> 00:53:20,554: or 6770 00:53:20,554 --> 00:53:20,764: there 6771 00:53:20,764 --> 00:53:20,885: is 6772 00:53:20,885 --> 00:53:21,215: another 6773 00:53:21,215 --> 00:53:21,965: significant 6774 00:53:21,965 --> 00:53:22,534: epistemic 6775 00:53:22,534 --> 00:53:23,764: emergency. 6776 00:53:23,764 --> 00:53:24,065: Turn 6777 00:53:24,065 --> 00:53:24,394: off 6778 00:53:24,394 --> 00:53:24,724: all 6779 00:53:24,724 --> 00:53:24,994: glimmer 6780 00:53:24,994 --> 00:53:26,045: probers. 6781 00:53:26,045 --> 00:53:26,614: Seek 6782 00:53:26,614 --> 00:53:27,304: psionic 6783 00:53:27,304 --> 00:53:28,565: insulation. 6784 00:53:28,565 --> 00:53:29,224: Psionics 6785 00:53:29,224 --> 00:53:29,855: users 6786 00:53:29,855 --> 00:53:30,125: should 6787 00:53:30,125 --> 00:53:30,454: report 6788 00:53:30,454 --> 00:53:30,574: to 6789 00:53:30,574 --> 00:53:30,664: the 6790 00:53:30,664 --> 00:53:31,355: Mantis 6791 00:53:31,355 --> 00:53:31,655: should 6792 00:53:31,655 --> 00:53:31,835: they 6793 00:53:31,835 --> 00:53:32,045: deem 6794 00:53:32,045 --> 00:53:32,164: it 6795 00:53:32,164 --> 00:53:34,775: necessary.
Abby 6796 00:53:34,775 --> 00:53:35,585: wailed 6797 00:53:35,585 --> 00:53:36,005: within 6798 00:53:36,005 --> 00:53:38,434: them.
“Good,” 6799 00:53:38,434 --> 00:53:38,914: Soot 6800 00:53:38,914 --> 00:53:39,394: said, 6801 00:53:39,394 --> 00:53:39,934: swaying 6802 00:53:39,934 --> 00:53:40,085: on 6803 00:53:40,085 --> 00:53:40,235: their 6804 00:53:40,235 --> 00:53:41,405: feet. “See 6805 00:53:41,405 --> 00:53:41,644: you 6806 00:53:41,644 --> 00:53:43,835: there.”
We’re 6807 00:53:43,835 --> 00:53:44,704: safe, 6808 00:53:44,704 --> 00:53:44,974: little 6809 00:53:44,974 --> 00:53:45,695: one, 6810 00:53:45,695 --> 00:53:45,905: they 6811 00:53:45,905 --> 00:53:46,528: promised 6812 00:53:46,528 --> 00:53:46,775: that 6813 00:53:46,775 --> 00:53:47,284: glimpse 6814 00:53:47,284 --> 00:53:47,434: of 6815 00:53:47,434 --> 00:53:47,795: Abby 6816 00:53:47,795 --> 00:53:47,885: in 6817 00:53:47,885 --> 00:53:47,945: the 6818 00:53:47,945 --> 00:53:48,934: mirror. 6819 00:53:48,934 --> 00:53:49,085: We’re 6820 00:53:49,085 --> 00:53:49,474: going 6821 00:53:49,474 --> 00:53:51,335: home.
The 6822 00:53:51,335 --> 00:53:51,875: reply 6823 00:53:51,875 --> 00:53:52,144: was 6824 00:53:52,144 --> 00:53:53,224: small, 6825 00:53:53,224 --> 00:53:54,184: muted, 6826 00:53:54,184 --> 00:53:54,844: obscured 6827 00:53:54,844 --> 00:53:55,025: by 6828 00:53:55,025 --> 00:53:56,855: tears. 6829 00:53:56,855 --> 00:53:59,074: Okay.
Shutting 6830 00:53:59,074 --> 00:53:59,195: their 6831 00:53:59,195 --> 00:53:59,885: locker, 6832 00:53:59,885 --> 00:54:00,065: they 6833 00:54:00,065 --> 00:54:00,485: straightened 6834 00:54:00,485 --> 00:54:00,605: their 6835 00:54:00,605 --> 00:54:01,355: uniform 6836 00:54:01,355 --> 00:54:01,534: and 6837 00:54:01,534 --> 00:54:01,954: forced 6838 00:54:01,954 --> 00:54:02,855: themself 6839 00:54:02,855 --> 00:54:03,005: to 6840 00:54:03,005 --> 00:54:03,425: stand 6841 00:54:03,425 --> 00:54:04,385: tall, 6842 00:54:04,385 --> 00:54:04,684: all 6843 00:54:04,684 --> 00:54:04,864: but 6844 00:54:04,864 --> 00:54:05,525: marching 6845 00:54:05,525 --> 00:54:05,735: to 6846 00:54:05,735 --> 00:54:06,244: regroup 6847 00:54:06,244 --> 00:54:06,394: with 6848 00:54:06,394 --> 00:54:06,485: their 6849 00:54:06,485 --> 00:54:06,934: security 6850 00:54:06,934 --> 00:54:09,034: detail.
At 6851 00:54:09,034 --> 00:54:09,094: the 6852 00:54:09,094 --> 00:54:09,394: shuttle 6853 00:54:09,394 --> 00:54:09,934: docks, 6854 00:54:09,934 --> 00:54:10,114: they 6855 00:54:10,114 --> 00:54:10,385: stood 6856 00:54:10,385 --> 00:54:10,505: at 6857 00:54:10,505 --> 00:54:11,255: ease, 6858 00:54:11,255 --> 00:54:11,554: doing 6859 00:54:11,554 --> 00:54:11,675: their 6860 00:54:11,675 --> 00:54:12,065: best 6861 00:54:12,065 --> 00:54:12,184: to 6862 00:54:12,184 --> 00:54:12,635: smile 6863 00:54:12,635 --> 00:54:12,695: at 6864 00:54:12,695 --> 00:54:12,784: the 6865 00:54:12,784 --> 00:54:13,172: crew 6866 00:54:13,172 --> 00:54:13,655: streaming 6867 00:54:13,655 --> 00:54:13,804: on 6868 00:54:13,804 --> 00:54:14,704: board, 6869 00:54:14,704 --> 00:54:15,215: offering 6870 00:54:15,215 --> 00:54:15,454: only 6871 00:54:15,454 --> 00:54:15,545: the 6872 00:54:15,545 --> 00:54:15,875: most 6873 00:54:15,875 --> 00:54:16,476: noncommittal 6874 00:54:16,476 --> 00:54:16,533: of 6875 00:54:16,533 --> 00:54:17,434: replies 6876 00:54:17,434 --> 00:54:17,614: when 6877 00:54:17,614 --> 00:54:17,945: someone 6878 00:54:17,945 --> 00:54:18,245: asked 6879 00:54:18,245 --> 00:54:18,304: a 6880 00:54:18,304 --> 00:54:19,894: question, 6881 00:54:19,894 --> 00:54:20,465: directing 6882 00:54:20,465 --> 00:54:21,034: everyone 6883 00:54:21,034 --> 00:54:21,155: to 6884 00:54:21,155 --> 00:54:21,275: their 6885 00:54:21,275 --> 00:54:22,655: seats. 6886 00:54:22,655 --> 00:54:22,804: The 6887 00:54:22,804 --> 00:54:23,494: botanist, 6888 00:54:23,494 --> 00:54:23,554: a 6889 00:54:23,554 --> 00:54:23,855: young 6890 00:54:23,855 --> 00:54:24,275: moth 6891 00:54:24,275 --> 00:54:24,394: who 6892 00:54:24,394 --> 00:54:24,635: looked to be 6893 00:54:24,635 --> 00:54:25,114: barely 6894 00:54:25,114 --> 00:54:25,324: old 6895 00:54:25,324 --> 00:54:25,505: enough 6896 00:54:25,505 --> 00:54:25,835: to 6897 00:54:25,835 --> 00:54:26,195: work 6898 00:54:26,195 --> 00:54:26,284: a 6899 00:54:26,284 --> 00:54:26,585: job 6900 00:54:26,585 --> 00:54:26,644: at 6901 00:54:26,644 --> 00:54:27,815: Nanotrasen, 6902 00:54:27,815 --> 00:54:28,534: glowered 6903 00:54:28,534 --> 00:54:28,775: at 6904 00:54:28,775 --> 00:54:29,344: them 6905 00:54:29,344 --> 00:54:29,525: as 6906 00:54:29,525 --> 00:54:29,614: they 6907 00:54:29,614 --> 00:54:29,735: were 6908 00:54:29,735 --> 00:54:30,065: guided 6909 00:54:30,065 --> 00:54:30,275: into 6910 00:54:30,275 --> 00:54:30,364: the 6911 00:54:30,364 --> 00:54:31,264: shuttle, 6912 00:54:31,264 --> 00:54:31,655: back 6913 00:54:31,655 --> 00:54:31,775: to 6914 00:54:31,775 --> 00:54:31,835: the 6915 00:54:31,835 --> 00:54:32,224: security 6916 00:54:32,224 --> 00:54:32,914: section 6917 00:54:32,914 --> 00:54:33,125: in 6918 00:54:33,125 --> 00:54:33,304: the 6919 00:54:33,304 --> 00:54:35,135: aft.
Following 6920 00:54:35,135 --> 00:54:35,224: the 6921 00:54:35,224 --> 00:54:35,704: security 6922 00:54:35,704 --> 00:54:36,244: officers 6923 00:54:36,244 --> 00:54:36,695: leading 6924 00:54:36,695 --> 00:54:36,815: the 6925 00:54:36,815 --> 00:54:37,234: cuffed 6926 00:54:37,234 --> 00:54:37,625: moth 6927 00:54:37,625 --> 00:54:38,434: aboard, 6928 00:54:38,434 --> 00:54:38,885: Artie 6929 00:54:38,885 --> 00:54:39,215: stopped 6930 00:54:39,215 --> 00:54:39,304: in 6931 00:54:39,304 --> 00:54:39,485: front 6932 00:54:39,485 --> 00:54:39,545: of 6933 00:54:39,545 --> 00:54:40,054: Soot 6934 00:54:40,054 --> 00:54:40,264: and 6935 00:54:40,264 --> 00:54:43,204: bowed. “Captain.”
They 6936 00:54:43,204 --> 00:54:43,775: raised a 6937 00:54:43,775 --> 00:54:44,135: dull 6938 00:54:44,135 --> 00:54:48,635: gaze to the vulp.
Artie’s gaze searched their face 6939 00:54:48,635 --> 00:54:49,114: curiously 6940 00:54:49,114 --> 00:54:49,355: for 6941 00:54:49,355 --> 00:54:49,414: a 6942 00:54:49,414 --> 00:54:50,434: moment, 6943 00:54:50,434 --> 00:54:50,644: his 6944 00:54:50,644 --> 00:54:51,304: expression 6945 00:54:51,304 --> 00:54:53,675: softening. “I’m 6946 00:54:53,675 --> 00:54:54,065: sorry 6947 00:54:54,065 --> 00:54:54,215: for 6948 00:54:54,215 --> 00:54:54,304: all 6949 00:54:54,304 --> 00:54:54,394: the 6950 00:54:54,394 --> 00:54:54,784: stress 6951 00:54:54,784 --> 00:54:55,594: today. 6952 00:54:55,594 --> 00:54:55,744: It 6953 00:54:55,744 --> 00:54:56,045: should’ve 6954 00:54:56,045 --> 00:54:56,195: been 6955 00:54:56,195 --> 00:54:58,894: easier.”
“You 6956 00:54:58,894 --> 00:54:59,164: took 6957 00:54:59,164 --> 00:54:59,585: care 6958 00:54:59,585 --> 00:54:59,704: of 6959 00:54:59,704 --> 00:54:59,945: it 6960 00:54:59,945 --> 00:55:00,215: as 6961 00:55:00,215 --> 00:55:00,695: best 6962 00:55:00,695 --> 00:55:00,905: you 6963 00:55:00,905 --> 00:55:01,804: could, 6964 00:55:01,804 --> 00:55:01,954: and 6965 00:55:01,954 --> 00:55:02,164: for 6966 00:55:02,164 --> 00:55:02,855: that 6967 00:55:02,855 --> 00:55:03,065: I’m 6968 00:55:03,065 --> 00:55:05,224: thankful.”
“We 6969 00:55:05,224 --> 00:55:05,405: did 6970 00:55:05,405 --> 00:55:05,525: our 6971 00:55:05,525 --> 00:55:06,875: best.” 6972 00:55:06,875 --> 00:55:07,054: He 6973 00:55:07,054 --> 00:55:07,295: looked 6974 00:55:07,295 --> 00:55:07,534: back 6975 00:55:07,534 --> 00:55:07,775: toward 6976 00:55:07,775 --> 00:55:07,835: the 6977 00:55:07,835 --> 00:55:08,135: shuttle 6978 00:55:08,135 --> 00:55:08,644: brig as 6979 00:55:08,644 --> 00:55:08,704: he 6980 00:55:08,704 --> 00:55:10,144: spoke. “Mr. 6981 00:55:10,144 --> 00:55:10,505: Winters 6982 00:55:10,505 --> 00:55:10,744: over 6983 00:55:10,744 --> 00:55:11,074: there 6984 00:55:11,074 --> 00:55:11,315: has 6985 00:55:11,315 --> 00:55:11,614: stated 6986 00:55:11,614 --> 00:55:11,974: that 6987 00:55:11,974 --> 00:55:12,125: his 6988 00:55:12,125 --> 00:55:12,485: goal was 6989 00:55:12,485 --> 00:55:12,605: to 6990 00:55:12,605 --> 00:55:12,936: spike 6991 00:55:12,936 --> 00:55:13,235: glimmer 6992 00:55:13,235 --> 00:55:13,534: high 6993 00:55:13,534 --> 00:55:13,775: enough 6994 00:55:13,775 --> 00:55:13,864: to 6995 00:55:13,864 --> 00:55:14,434: destroy 6996 00:55:14,434 --> 00:55:14,795: epi 6997 00:55:14,795 --> 00:55:14,977: with 6998 00:55:14,977 --> 00:55:15,065: the 6999 00:55:15,065 --> 00:55:15,425: prober 7000 00:55:15,425 --> 00:55:16,625: blast. 7001 00:55:16,625 --> 00:55:16,744: When 7002 00:55:16,744 --> 00:55:16,835: the 7003 00:55:16,835 --> 00:55:17,045: call 7004 00:55:17,045 --> 00:55:17,224: was 7005 00:55:17,224 --> 00:55:17,375: put 7006 00:55:17,375 --> 00:55:17,465: out 7007 00:55:17,465 --> 00:55:17,554: to 7008 00:55:17,554 --> 00:55:17,885: destroy 7009 00:55:17,885 --> 00:55:18,005: the 7010 00:55:18,005 --> 00:55:18,755: prober, 7011 00:55:18,755 --> 00:55:18,905: he 7012 00:55:18,905 --> 00:55:19,295: began 7013 00:55:19,295 --> 00:55:19,925: constructing 7014 00:55:19,925 --> 00:55:19,954: a 7015 00:55:19,954 --> 00:55:20,375: second 7016 00:55:20,375 --> 00:55:22,054: one.”
Soot 7017 00:55:22,054 --> 00:55:23,795: frowned. “Why, 7018 00:55:23,795 --> 00:55:27,605: though?”
“He…declined 7019 00:55:27,605 --> 00:55:27,815: to 7020 00:55:27,815 --> 00:55:29,105: elaborate.”
They 7021 00:55:29,105 --> 00:55:30,664: snorted.
Artie 7022 00:55:30,664 --> 00:55:32,344: chuckled. “If 7023 00:55:32,344 --> 00:55:32,434: I 7024 00:55:32,434 --> 00:55:32,644: had 7025 00:55:32,644 --> 00:55:32,735: to 7026 00:55:32,735 --> 00:55:33,304: guess, 7027 00:55:33,304 --> 00:55:33,545: there’s 7028 00:55:33,545 --> 00:55:33,724: been 7029 00:55:33,724 --> 00:55:34,085: news 7030 00:55:34,085 --> 00:55:34,175: of 7031 00:55:34,175 --> 00:55:34,204: a 7032 00:55:34,204 --> 00:55:34,414: new 7033 00:55:34,414 --> 00:55:34,894: cult 7034 00:55:34,894 --> 00:55:35,284: worming 7035 00:55:35,284 --> 00:55:35,434: its 7036 00:55:35,434 --> 00:55:35,585: way 7037 00:55:35,585 --> 00:55:35,824: into the 7038 00:55:35,824 --> 00:55:36,934: sector. 7039 00:55:36,934 --> 00:55:37,534: NT’s 7040 00:55:37,534 --> 00:55:37,775: coming 7041 00:55:37,775 --> 00:55:37,925: up 7042 00:55:37,925 --> 00:55:38,014: with 7043 00:55:38,014 --> 00:55:38,224: some 7044 00:55:38,224 --> 00:55:38,914: protocols 7045 00:55:38,914 --> 00:55:39,034: to 7046 00:55:39,034 --> 00:55:39,244: deal 7047 00:55:39,244 --> 00:55:39,425: with 7048 00:55:39,425 --> 00:55:39,695: them 7049 00:55:39,695 --> 00:55:39,844: when 7050 00:55:39,844 --> 00:55:39,934: they 7051 00:55:39,934 --> 00:55:40,295: start 7052 00:55:40,295 --> 00:55:40,715: causing 7053 00:55:40,715 --> 00:55:41,344: problems 7054 00:55:41,344 --> 00:55:41,434: and 7055 00:55:41,434 --> 00:55:41,885: developing 7056 00:55:41,885 --> 00:55:42,394: tools 7057 00:55:42,394 --> 00:55:42,574: for 7058 00:55:42,574 --> 00:55:43,114: MGs 7059 00:55:43,114 --> 00:55:43,204: and 7060 00:55:43,204 --> 00:55:44,525: chaplains.” 7061 00:55:44,525 --> 00:55:44,675: He 7062 00:55:44,675 --> 00:55:44,974: nodded 7063 00:55:44,974 --> 00:55:45,155: back 7064 00:55:45,155 --> 00:55:45,373: toward 7065 00:55:45,373 --> 00:55:45,485: the 7066 00:55:45,485 --> 00:55:46,684: brig. “If 7067 00:55:46,684 --> 00:55:46,985: Mr. 7068 00:55:46,985 --> 00:55:47,344: Winters 7069 00:55:47,344 --> 00:55:47,434: is 7070 00:55:47,434 --> 00:55:47,494: a 7071 00:55:47,494 --> 00:55:47,764: part 7072 00:55:47,764 --> 00:55:47,824: of 7073 00:55:47,824 --> 00:55:48,034: this 7074 00:55:48,034 --> 00:55:48,454: cult, 7075 00:55:48,454 --> 00:55:48,605: at 7076 00:55:48,605 --> 00:55:48,905: least 7077 00:55:48,905 --> 00:55:49,114: there’s 7078 00:55:49,114 --> 00:55:49,505: some 7079 00:55:49,505 --> 00:55:49,985: connection 7080 00:55:49,985 --> 00:55:50,105: to 7081 00:55:50,105 --> 00:55:50,525: wanting 7082 00:55:50,525 --> 00:55:50,644: to 7083 00:55:50,644 --> 00:55:50,885: blow 7084 00:55:50,885 --> 00:55:51,034: up 7085 00:55:51,034 --> 00:55:53,164: epistemics.”
Soot 7086 00:55:53,164 --> 00:55:53,434: shook 7087 00:55:53,434 --> 00:55:53,585: their 7088 00:55:53,585 --> 00:55:54,485: head. 7089 00:55:54,485 --> 00:55:54,635: They 7090 00:55:54,635 --> 00:55:54,815: could 7091 00:55:54,815 --> 00:55:55,355: feel 7092 00:55:55,355 --> 00:55:55,715: Abby’s 7093 00:55:55,715 --> 00:55:56,195: paws 7094 00:55:56,195 --> 00:55:56,855: clutching 7095 00:55:56,855 --> 00:55:57,065: at 7096 00:55:57,065 --> 00:55:57,275: their 7097 00:55:57,275 --> 00:55:57,755: arm, 7098 00:55:57,755 --> 00:55:58,355: tugging 7099 00:55:58,355 --> 00:56:00,394: insistently. “It’s 7100 00:56:00,394 --> 00:56:00,844: always 7101 00:56:00,844 --> 00:56:01,385: something 7102 00:56:01,385 --> 00:56:03,065: new.”
The 7103 00:56:03,065 --> 00:56:03,394: vulp 7104 00:56:03,394 --> 00:56:04,204: smiled, 7105 00:56:04,204 --> 00:56:04,684: rested 7106 00:56:04,684 --> 00:56:04,894: his 7107 00:56:04,894 --> 00:56:05,375: paw 7108 00:56:05,375 --> 00:56:05,554: on 7109 00:56:05,554 --> 00:56:05,945: Soot’s 7110 00:56:05,945 --> 00:56:06,875: shoulder, 7111 00:56:06,875 --> 00:56:07,054: and 7112 00:56:07,054 --> 00:56:07,385: gave 7113 00:56:07,385 --> 00:56:07,445: a 7114 00:56:07,445 --> 00:56:07,835: gentle 7115 00:56:07,835 --> 00:56:09,394: squeeze. “It’s 7116 00:56:09,394 --> 00:56:09,755: always 7117 00:56:09,755 --> 00:56:10,144: something 7118 00:56:10,144 --> 00:56:10,625: new,” 7119 00:56:10,625 --> 00:56:10,775: he 7120 00:56:10,775 --> 00:56:10,985: said 7121 00:56:10,985 --> 00:56:12,485: agreeably. “But 7122 00:56:12,485 --> 00:56:12,605: we 7123 00:56:12,605 --> 00:56:12,844: made 7124 00:56:12,844 --> 00:56:12,965: it 7125 00:56:12,965 --> 00:56:14,014: through. 7126 00:56:14,014 --> 00:56:14,675: You 7127 00:56:14,675 --> 00:56:14,945: made 7128 00:56:14,945 --> 00:56:15,034: it 7129 00:56:15,034 --> 00:56:15,934: through, 7130 00:56:15,934 --> 00:56:16,054: and 7131 00:56:16,054 --> 00:56:16,204: now 7132 00:56:16,204 --> 00:56:16,355: you 7133 00:56:16,355 --> 00:56:16,474: get 7134 00:56:16,474 --> 00:56:16,565: to 7135 00:56:16,565 --> 00:56:16,864: step 7136 00:56:16,864 --> 00:56:17,164: back 7137 00:56:17,164 --> 00:56:17,255: and 7138 00:56:17,255 --> 00:56:17,494: take 7139 00:56:17,494 --> 00:56:17,675: care 7140 00:56:17,675 --> 00:56:17,735: of 7141 00:56:17,735 --> 00:56:18,965: yourselves. 7142 00:56:18,965 --> 00:56:19,085: It’s 7143 00:56:19,085 --> 00:56:19,204: on 7144 00:56:19,204 --> 00:56:19,264: the 7145 00:56:19,264 --> 00:56:19,655: justice 7146 00:56:19,655 --> 00:56:20,074: department, 7147 00:56:20,074 --> 00:56:21,815: now.”
At 7148 00:56:21,815 --> 00:56:22,534: last, 7149 00:56:22,534 --> 00:56:22,594: a 7150 00:56:22,594 --> 00:56:23,224: smile 7151 00:56:23,224 --> 00:56:23,525: touched 7152 00:56:23,525 --> 00:56:23,675: their 7153 00:56:23,675 --> 00:56:24,755: face. 7154 00:56:24,755 --> 00:56:25,445: This 7155 00:56:25,445 --> 00:56:25,655: is 7156 00:56:25,655 --> 00:56:25,894: why 7157 00:56:25,894 --> 00:56:26,045: they 7158 00:56:26,045 --> 00:56:26,467: trusted 7159 00:56:26,467 --> 00:56:26,554: the 7160 00:56:26,554 --> 00:56:27,065: department 7161 00:56:27,065 --> 00:56:27,875: heads, 7162 00:56:27,875 --> 00:56:28,204: why 7163 00:56:28,204 --> 00:56:28,355: they 7164 00:56:28,355 --> 00:56:28,655: thought 7165 00:56:28,655 --> 00:56:28,744: of 7166 00:56:28,744 --> 00:56:29,344: themself 7167 00:56:29,344 --> 00:56:29,525: as 7168 00:56:29,525 --> 00:56:30,184: support 7169 00:56:30,184 --> 00:56:30,394: rather 7170 00:56:30,394 --> 00:56:30,545: than 7171 00:56:30,545 --> 00:56:31,565: command. 7172 00:56:31,565 --> 00:56:32,195: Grasping 7173 00:56:32,195 --> 00:56:32,434: yet 7174 00:56:32,434 --> 00:56:32,824: tighter on 7175 00:56:32,824 --> 00:56:33,184: control 7176 00:56:33,184 --> 00:56:33,275: of 7177 00:56:33,275 --> 00:56:33,364: the 7178 00:56:33,364 --> 00:56:34,565: situation 7179 00:56:34,565 --> 00:56:34,804: would 7180 00:56:34,804 --> 00:56:35,074: only 7181 00:56:35,074 --> 00:56:35,255: let 7182 00:56:35,255 --> 00:56:35,344: it 7183 00:56:35,344 --> 00:56:35,675: slip 7184 00:56:35,675 --> 00:56:36,125: further 7185 00:56:36,125 --> 00:56:36,335: from 7186 00:56:36,335 --> 00:56:36,454: their 7187 00:56:36,454 --> 00:56:38,974: grasp.
“Thanks, 7188 00:56:38,974 --> 00:56:40,474: Artie.”
He 7189 00:56:40,474 --> 00:56:41,405: nodded, 7190 00:56:41,405 --> 00:56:41,704: patted 7191 00:56:41,704 --> 00:56:41,795: the 7192 00:56:41,795 --> 00:56:42,215: mouse’s 7193 00:56:42,215 --> 00:56:42,605: shoulder 7194 00:56:42,605 --> 00:56:43,445: once, 7195 00:56:43,445 --> 00:56:43,625: and 7196 00:56:43,625 --> 00:56:43,985: stepped 7197 00:56:43,985 --> 00:56:44,344: inside 7198 00:56:44,344 --> 00:56:44,434: the 7199 00:56:44,434 --> 00:56:44,824: shuttle 7200 00:56:44,824 --> 00:56:45,005: to 7201 00:56:45,005 --> 00:56:45,335: leave 7202 00:56:45,335 --> 00:56:45,815: Soot 7203 00:56:45,815 --> 00:56:45,994: to 7204 00:56:45,994 --> 00:56:47,824: wait.
They 7205 00:56:47,824 --> 00:56:48,275: waited 7206 00:56:48,275 --> 00:56:48,485: as 7207 00:56:48,485 --> 00:56:48,545: the 7208 00:56:48,545 --> 00:56:48,867: last 7209 00:56:48,867 --> 00:56:48,934: of 7210 00:56:48,934 --> 00:56:49,085: the 7211 00:56:49,085 --> 00:56:49,684: crew 7212 00:56:49,684 --> 00:56:49,954: made 7213 00:56:49,954 --> 00:56:50,074: their 7214 00:56:50,074 --> 00:56:50,284: way 7215 00:56:50,284 --> 00:56:50,525: down 7216 00:56:50,525 --> 00:56:50,614: the 7217 00:56:50,614 --> 00:56:52,085: hall.
They 7218 00:56:52,085 --> 00:56:52,565: waited 7219 00:56:52,565 --> 00:56:52,804: as 7220 00:56:52,804 --> 00:56:53,789: Whispers-to-Ghosts 7221 00:56:53,789 --> 00:56:54,304: smiled 7222 00:56:54,304 --> 00:56:54,425: to 7223 00:56:54,425 --> 00:56:55,085: them, 7224 00:56:55,085 --> 00:56:55,355: then 7225 00:56:55,355 --> 00:56:55,534: to 7226 00:56:55,534 --> 00:56:55,565: a 7227 00:56:55,565 --> 00:56:55,954: spot 7228 00:56:55,954 --> 00:56:56,315: just 7229 00:56:56,315 --> 00:56:56,764: beside 7230 00:56:56,764 --> 00:56:57,454: them, 7231 00:56:57,454 --> 00:56:57,605: and 7232 00:56:57,605 --> 00:56:57,724: they 7233 00:56:57,724 --> 00:56:58,295: felt 7234 00:56:58,295 --> 00:56:58,445: Abby 7235 00:56:58,445 --> 00:56:58,985: smile 7236 00:56:58,985 --> 00:57:00,485: back.
They 7237 00:57:00,485 --> 00:57:01,355: waited 7238 00:57:01,355 --> 00:57:01,594: as 7239 00:57:01,594 --> 00:57:01,894: best 7240 00:57:01,894 --> 00:57:02,045: they 7241 00:57:02,045 --> 00:57:02,405: could 7242 00:57:02,405 --> 00:57:02,585: through 7243 00:57:02,585 --> 00:57:02,675: it 7244 00:57:02,675 --> 00:57:04,054: all.
They 7245 00:57:04,054 --> 00:57:04,414: waited 7246 00:57:04,414 --> 00:57:04,894: until 7247 00:57:04,894 --> 00:57:05,375: everyone 7248 00:57:05,375 --> 00:57:05,525: was 7249 00:57:05,525 --> 00:57:05,675: on 7250 00:57:05,675 --> 00:57:06,934: board. 7251 00:57:06,934 --> 00:57:07,144: They 7252 00:57:07,144 --> 00:57:07,534: waited 7253 00:57:07,534 --> 00:57:08,434: until, 7254 00:57:08,434 --> 00:57:08,614: at 7255 00:57:08,614 --> 00:57:09,454: last, 7256 00:57:09,454 --> 00:57:09,664: the 7257 00:57:09,664 --> 00:57:09,905: only 7258 00:57:09,905 --> 00:57:10,144: thing 7259 00:57:10,144 --> 00:57:10,235: they 7260 00:57:10,235 --> 00:57:10,414: could 7261 00:57:10,414 --> 00:57:10,655: hear 7262 00:57:10,655 --> 00:57:10,925: within 7263 00:57:10,925 --> 00:57:10,985: the 7264 00:57:10,985 --> 00:57:11,945: station 7265 00:57:11,945 --> 00:57:12,155: was 7266 00:57:12,155 --> 00:57:12,335: the 7267 00:57:12,335 --> 00:57:13,474: omnipresent, 7268 00:57:13,474 --> 00:57:13,925: barely 7269 00:57:13,925 --> 00:57:14,644: perceptible 7270 00:57:14,644 --> 00:57:15,635: white-noise 7271 00:57:15,635 --> 00:57:15,755: of 7272 00:57:15,755 --> 00:57:15,844: the 7273 00:57:15,844 --> 00:57:17,704: atmospherics.
They 7274 00:57:17,704 --> 00:57:18,605: waited, 7275 00:57:18,605 --> 00:57:18,875: took 7276 00:57:18,875 --> 00:57:19,085: one 7277 00:57:19,085 --> 00:57:20,105: breath, 7278 00:57:20,105 --> 00:57:21,155: two, 7279 00:57:21,155 --> 00:57:21,304: and 7280 00:57:21,304 --> 00:57:21,485: then 7281 00:57:21,485 --> 00:57:21,724: let 7282 00:57:21,724 --> 00:57:21,844: their 7283 00:57:21,844 --> 00:57:22,355: shoulders 7284 00:57:22,355 --> 00:57:24,934: slump. “Cleo,” 7285 00:57:24,934 --> 00:57:25,144: they 7286 00:57:25,144 --> 00:57:25,594: murmured 7287 00:57:25,594 --> 00:57:25,775: over 7288 00:57:25,775 --> 00:57:25,864: the 7289 00:57:25,864 --> 00:57:26,195: command 7290 00:57:26,195 --> 00:57:29,914: channel. “You’re up.”
No 7291 00:57:29,914 --> 00:57:30,184: more 7292 00:57:30,184 --> 00:57:31,295: waiting. 7293 00:57:31,295 --> 00:57:31,474: There 7294 00:57:31,474 --> 00:57:31,655: was 7295 00:57:31,655 --> 00:57:31,715: a 7296 00:57:31,715 --> 00:57:32,284: moment 7297 00:57:32,284 --> 00:57:32,405: of 7298 00:57:32,405 --> 00:57:33,755: relaxation, 7299 00:57:33,755 --> 00:57:33,844: a 7300 00:57:33,844 --> 00:57:34,295: blurring 7301 00:57:34,295 --> 00:57:34,414: of 7302 00:57:34,414 --> 00:57:35,164: perception 7303 00:57:35,164 --> 00:57:35,375: into 7304 00:57:35,375 --> 00:57:35,644: some 7305 00:57:35,644 --> 00:57:36,425: storybook 7306 00:57:36,425 --> 00:57:37,114: understanding 7307 00:57:37,114 --> 00:57:37,235: of 7308 00:57:37,235 --> 00:57:38,195: reality 7309 00:57:38,195 --> 00:57:38,375: as 7310 00:57:38,375 --> 00:57:38,465: they 7311 00:57:38,465 --> 00:57:38,945: mentally 7312 00:57:38,945 --> 00:57:39,184: took 7313 00:57:39,184 --> 00:57:39,244: a 7314 00:57:39,244 --> 00:57:39,485: step 7315 00:57:39,485 --> 00:57:40,445: back, 7316 00:57:40,445 --> 00:57:40,894: letting 7317 00:57:40,894 --> 00:57:41,195: all of 7318 00:57:41,195 --> 00:57:41,405: that 7319 00:57:41,405 --> 00:57:42,184: hard-won 7320 00:57:42,184 --> 00:57:42,905: control 7321 00:57:42,905 --> 00:57:43,505: carefully 7322 00:57:43,505 --> 00:57:45,155: relax.
In 7323 00:57:45,155 --> 00:57:45,215: a 7324 00:57:45,215 --> 00:57:45,815: rush, 7325 00:57:45,815 --> 00:57:46,235: they were 7326 00:57:46,235 --> 00:57:47,195: subsumed 7327 00:57:47,195 --> 00:57:47,525: into 7328 00:57:47,525 --> 00:57:49,355: Abby.
She 7329 00:57:49,355 --> 00:57:49,864: meekly 7330 00:57:49,864 --> 00:57:50,255: stepped 7331 00:57:50,255 --> 00:57:50,554: aboard 7332 00:57:50,554 --> 00:57:50,644: the 7333 00:57:50,644 --> 00:57:51,574: shuttle 7334 00:57:51,574 --> 00:57:51,724: and 7335 00:57:51,724 --> 00:57:52,025: edged her 7336 00:57:52,025 --> 00:57:52,204: way 7337 00:57:52,204 --> 00:57:52,715: past 7338 00:57:52,715 --> 00:57:52,804: the 7339 00:57:52,804 --> 00:57:53,195: crowded 7340 00:57:53,195 --> 00:57:53,554: central 7341 00:57:53,554 --> 00:57:53,914: seating 7342 00:57:53,914 --> 00:57:54,844: area 7343 00:57:54,844 --> 00:57:54,994: to 7344 00:57:54,994 --> 00:57:55,385: hunt 7345 00:57:55,385 --> 00:57:55,684: down 7346 00:57:55,684 --> 00:57:55,744: a 7347 00:57:55,744 --> 00:57:56,224: spot 7348 00:57:56,224 --> 00:57:56,434: over 7349 00:57:56,434 --> 00:57:56,585: by 7350 00:57:56,585 --> 00:57:56,675: the 7351 00:57:56,675 --> 00:57:57,034: shuttle’s 7352 00:57:57,034 --> 00:57:58,114: medbay. 7353 00:57:58,114 --> 00:57:58,385: She 7354 00:57:58,385 --> 00:57:58,804: wanted 7355 00:57:58,804 --> 00:57:58,925: to 7356 00:57:58,925 --> 00:57:59,045: be 7357 00:57:59,045 --> 00:57:59,375: close 7358 00:57:59,375 --> 00:57:59,494: to 7359 00:57:59,494 --> 00:58:00,635: safety; 7360 00:58:00,635 --> 00:58:00,724: it 7361 00:58:00,724 --> 00:58:00,965: was 7362 00:58:00,965 --> 00:58:01,385: here 7363 00:58:01,385 --> 00:58:01,565: or 7364 00:58:01,565 --> 00:58:02,764: security, 7365 00:58:02,764 --> 00:58:02,885: but 7366 00:58:02,885 --> 00:58:03,094: she 7367 00:58:03,094 --> 00:58:03,394: wanted 7368 00:58:03,394 --> 00:58:03,755: nothing 7369 00:58:03,755 --> 00:58:03,875: to 7370 00:58:03,875 --> 00:58:03,994: do 7371 00:58:03,994 --> 00:58:04,114: with 7372 00:58:04,114 --> 00:58:04,295: that 7373 00:58:04,295 --> 00:58:05,434: moth, 7374 00:58:05,434 --> 00:58:05,614: the 7375 00:58:05,614 --> 00:58:05,914: one 7376 00:58:05,914 --> 00:58:06,034: who 7377 00:58:06,034 --> 00:58:06,155: had 7378 00:58:06,155 --> 00:58:06,485: sought 7379 00:58:06,485 --> 00:58:06,695: only 7380 00:58:06,695 --> 00:58:06,784: to 7381 00:58:06,784 --> 00:58:07,204: spike 7382 00:58:07,204 --> 00:58:07,894: glimmer, 7383 00:58:07,894 --> 00:58:08,074: to 7384 00:58:08,074 --> 00:58:08,344: wreak such 7385 00:58:08,344 --> 00:58:08,914: havoc 7386 00:58:08,914 --> 00:58:09,065: as 7387 00:58:09,065 --> 00:58:09,394: had 7388 00:58:09,394 --> 00:58:09,724: split 7389 00:58:09,724 --> 00:58:09,965: her 7390 00:58:09,965 --> 00:58:10,054: in 7391 00:58:10,054 --> 00:58:10,594: twain 7392 00:58:10,594 --> 00:58:11,195: fifteen 7393 00:58:11,195 --> 00:58:11,525: years 7394 00:58:11,525 --> 00:58:15,094: back.
“Soot?”
She 7395 00:58:15,094 --> 00:58:15,425: looked 7396 00:58:15,425 --> 00:58:15,844: dully 7397 00:58:15,844 --> 00:58:15,965: up 7398 00:58:15,965 --> 00:58:16,114: to 7399 00:58:16,114 --> 00:58:16,324: meet 7400 00:58:16,324 --> 00:58:16,715: Dr. 7401 00:58:16,715 --> 00:58:17,224: R’s 7402 00:58:17,224 --> 00:58:17,704: concerned 7403 00:58:17,704 --> 00:58:21,664: gaze.
”…Abby?”
She 7404 00:58:21,664 --> 00:58:22,175: nodded, 7405 00:58:22,175 --> 00:58:22,474: still 7406 00:58:22,474 --> 00:58:24,394: silent.
“Can 7407 00:58:24,394 --> 00:58:24,485: I 7408 00:58:24,485 --> 00:58:24,755: sit 7409 00:58:24,755 --> 00:58:24,905: by 7410 00:58:24,905 --> 00:58:26,224: you?”
Another 7411 00:58:26,224 --> 00:58:28,534: nod.
He 7412 00:58:28,534 --> 00:58:28,925: settled 7413 00:58:28,925 --> 00:58:29,164: down 7414 00:58:29,164 --> 00:58:29,344: into 7415 00:58:29,344 --> 00:58:29,465: the 7416 00:58:29,465 --> 00:58:29,795: flight 7417 00:58:29,795 --> 00:58:30,034: chair 7418 00:58:30,034 --> 00:58:30,155: with 7419 00:58:30,155 --> 00:58:30,244: a 7420 00:58:30,244 --> 00:58:30,844: sigh, 7421 00:58:30,844 --> 00:58:31,264: strapping 7422 00:58:31,264 --> 00:58:31,744: himself 7423 00:58:31,744 --> 00:58:31,954: in 7424 00:58:31,954 --> 00:58:32,105: with 7425 00:58:32,105 --> 00:58:34,295: practiced ease. “You 7426 00:58:34,295 --> 00:58:34,505: doing 7427 00:58:34,505 --> 00:58:34,835: okay, 7428 00:58:34,835 --> 00:58:37,085: kiddo?”
“Not 7429 00:58:37,085 --> 00:58:37,505: really, 7430 00:58:37,505 --> 00:58:39,994: no.”
“Yeah, 7431 00:58:39,994 --> 00:58:40,144: I 7432 00:58:40,144 --> 00:58:40,594: imagine 7433 00:58:40,594 --> 00:58:41,585: not.” 7434 00:58:41,585 --> 00:58:41,824: He 7435 00:58:41,824 --> 00:58:42,155: reached 7436 00:58:42,155 --> 00:58:42,425: over 7437 00:58:42,425 --> 00:58:42,545: and 7438 00:58:42,545 --> 00:58:42,934: patted 7439 00:58:42,934 --> 00:58:43,144: her 7440 00:58:43,144 --> 00:58:43,295: on 7441 00:58:43,295 --> 00:58:43,385: the 7442 00:58:43,385 --> 00:58:44,824: knee. “Do 7443 00:58:44,824 --> 00:58:44,914: you 7444 00:58:44,914 --> 00:58:45,275: remember 7445 00:58:45,275 --> 00:58:45,574: much 7446 00:58:45,574 --> 00:58:45,664: of 7447 00:58:45,664 --> 00:58:45,844: what 7448 00:58:45,844 --> 00:58:46,204: happened 7449 00:58:46,204 --> 00:58:49,235: today?”
“Code 7450 00:58:49,235 --> 00:58:50,105: White. 7451 00:58:50,105 --> 00:58:50,465: Soot 7452 00:58:50,465 --> 00:58:50,675: was 7453 00:58:50,675 --> 00:58:50,914: dealing 7454 00:58:50,914 --> 00:58:51,094: with 7455 00:58:51,094 --> 00:58:51,275: all 7456 00:58:51,275 --> 00:58:51,364: of 7457 00:58:51,364 --> 00:58:51,875: that. 7458 00:58:51,875 --> 00:58:52,385: Something 7459 00:58:52,385 --> 00:58:54,005: about…another 7460 00:58:54,005 --> 00:58:54,695: prober, 7461 00:58:54,695 --> 00:58:54,815: I 7462 00:58:54,815 --> 00:58:56,824: guess?”
Dr. R 7463 00:58:56,824 --> 00:58:57,724: nodded. 7464 00:58:57,724 --> 00:58:57,934: They 7465 00:58:57,934 --> 00:58:58,355: watched as 7466 00:58:58,355 --> 00:58:58,565: the 7467 00:58:58,565 --> 00:58:59,074: airlock 7468 00:58:59,074 --> 00:58:59,525: doors 7469 00:58:59,525 --> 00:58:59,974: bolted 7470 00:58:59,974 --> 00:59:00,724: shut, 7471 00:59:00,724 --> 00:59:02,675: thinking.
Abby 7472 00:59:02,675 --> 00:59:02,945: did 7473 00:59:02,945 --> 00:59:03,094: her 7474 00:59:03,094 --> 00:59:03,394: best 7475 00:59:03,394 --> 00:59:03,485: to 7476 00:59:03,485 --> 00:59:05,735: smile. “You’re 7477 00:59:05,735 --> 00:59:05,945: really 7478 00:59:05,945 --> 00:59:06,335: leaving, 7479 00:59:06,335 --> 00:59:08,614: though?”
“Yeah,” 7480 00:59:08,614 --> 00:59:08,795: he 7481 00:59:08,795 --> 00:59:09,094: said, 7482 00:59:09,094 --> 00:59:10,385: chuckling. “An 7483 00:59:10,385 --> 00:59:10,835: appointment 7484 00:59:10,835 --> 00:59:10,894: at 7485 00:59:10,894 --> 00:59:11,195: Central 7486 00:59:11,195 --> 00:59:11,644: Command 7487 00:59:11,644 --> 00:59:11,764: is 7488 00:59:11,764 --> 00:59:12,034: hard 7489 00:59:12,034 --> 00:59:12,125: to 7490 00:59:12,125 --> 00:59:12,394: turn 7491 00:59:12,394 --> 00:59:13,385: down. 7492 00:59:13,385 --> 00:59:13,474: I’m 7493 00:59:13,474 --> 00:59:13,715: getting 7494 00:59:13,715 --> 00:59:13,954: to 7495 00:59:13,954 --> 00:59:14,164: old 7496 00:59:14,164 --> 00:59:14,255: for 7497 00:59:14,255 --> 00:59:14,375: this 7498 00:59:14,375 --> 00:59:14,644: type 7499 00:59:14,644 --> 00:59:14,704: of 7500 00:59:14,704 --> 00:59:15,695: thing. 7501 00:59:15,695 --> 00:59:15,844: I’m 7502 00:59:15,844 --> 00:59:16,085: tired 7503 00:59:16,085 --> 00:59:16,144: of 7504 00:59:16,144 --> 00:59:16,355: dealing 7505 00:59:16,355 --> 00:59:16,474: with 7506 00:59:16,474 --> 00:59:16,894: stab 7507 00:59:16,894 --> 00:59:17,465: wounds, 7508 00:59:17,465 --> 00:59:17,704: and 7509 00:59:17,704 --> 00:59:18,155: glimmer’s 7510 00:59:18,155 --> 00:59:18,335: for 7511 00:59:18,335 --> 00:59:18,454: the 7512 00:59:18,454 --> 00:59:19,985: youth.”
At 7513 00:59:19,985 --> 00:59:20,494: this 7514 00:59:20,494 --> 00:59:20,704: she 7515 00:59:20,704 --> 00:59:20,914: really 7516 00:59:20,914 --> 00:59:21,125: did 7517 00:59:21,125 --> 00:59:22,894: smile. “I 7518 00:59:22,894 --> 00:59:23,135: don’t 7519 00:59:23,135 --> 00:59:23,344: think 7520 00:59:23,344 --> 00:59:23,465: it’s 7521 00:59:23,465 --> 00:59:23,614: for 7522 00:59:23,614 --> 00:59:23,945: anyone 7523 00:59:23,945 --> 00:59:24,125: but 7524 00:59:24,125 --> 00:59:24,184: the 7525 00:59:24,184 --> 00:59:25,025: scientists, 7526 00:59:25,025 --> 00:59:26,855: honestly.”
He 7527 00:59:26,855 --> 00:59:27,605: chuckled, 7528 00:59:27,605 --> 00:59:27,695: and 7529 00:59:27,695 --> 00:59:27,784: they 7530 00:59:27,784 --> 00:59:28,054: both 7531 00:59:28,054 --> 00:59:28,295: took 7532 00:59:28,295 --> 00:59:28,324: a 7533 00:59:28,324 --> 00:59:28,715: moment 7534 00:59:28,715 --> 00:59:28,835: to 7535 00:59:28,835 --> 00:59:29,164: brace 7536 00:59:29,164 --> 00:59:30,244: themselves 7537 00:59:30,244 --> 00:59:30,425: as 7538 00:59:30,425 --> 00:59:30,454: the 7539 00:59:30,454 --> 00:59:31,085: shift-end 7540 00:59:31,085 --> 00:59:31,594: shuttle 7541 00:59:31,594 --> 00:59:31,804: made 7542 00:59:31,804 --> 00:59:31,925: the 7543 00:59:31,925 --> 00:59:32,704: translation 7544 00:59:32,704 --> 00:59:32,855: to 7545 00:59:32,855 --> 00:59:34,114: FTL — 7546 00:59:34,114 --> 00:59:34,264: the 7547 00:59:34,264 --> 00:59:34,594: brief 7548 00:59:34,594 --> 00:59:35,405: sensation 7549 00:59:35,405 --> 00:59:35,554: of 7550 00:59:35,554 --> 00:59:35,914: one’s 7551 00:59:35,914 --> 00:59:36,215: feet 7552 00:59:36,215 --> 00:59:36,574: dropping 7553 00:59:36,574 --> 00:59:36,695: out 7554 00:59:36,695 --> 00:59:36,875: from 7555 00:59:36,875 --> 00:59:37,175: beneath 7556 00:59:37,175 --> 00:59:37,925: them 7557 00:59:37,925 --> 00:59:38,195: was 7558 00:59:38,195 --> 00:59:38,405: enough 7559 00:59:38,405 --> 00:59:38,525: to 7560 00:59:38,525 --> 00:59:39,034: call 7561 00:59:39,034 --> 00:59:39,335: all 7562 00:59:39,335 --> 00:59:40,144: conversation 7563 00:59:40,144 --> 00:59:40,324: to 7564 00:59:40,324 --> 00:59:40,414: a 7565 00:59:40,414 --> 00:59:40,864: halt 7566 00:59:40,864 --> 00:59:41,074: for a 7567 00:59:41,074 --> 00:59:41,315: few 7568 00:59:41,315 --> 00:59:44,014: moments.
“I’m 7569 00:59:44,014 --> 00:59:44,434: sorry 7570 00:59:44,434 --> 00:59:44,614: this 7571 00:59:44,614 --> 00:59:45,005: happened 7572 00:59:45,005 --> 00:59:45,094: on 7573 00:59:45,094 --> 00:59:45,215: your 7574 00:59:45,215 --> 00:59:45,574: last 7575 00:59:45,574 --> 00:59:46,355: day,” 7576 00:59:46,355 --> 00:59:46,594: she 7577 00:59:46,594 --> 00:59:46,864: said 7578 00:59:46,864 --> 00:59:47,824: softly, 7579 00:59:47,824 --> 00:59:48,215: once 7580 00:59:48,215 --> 00:59:48,425: she 7581 00:59:48,425 --> 00:59:48,605: was 7582 00:59:48,605 --> 00:59:50,644: able.
He 7583 00:59:50,644 --> 00:59:51,635: sighed 7584 00:59:51,635 --> 00:59:51,784: and 7585 00:59:51,784 --> 00:59:52,054: leaned 7586 00:59:52,054 --> 00:59:52,204: his 7587 00:59:52,204 --> 00:59:52,414: head 7588 00:59:52,414 --> 00:59:52,715: back 7589 00:59:52,715 --> 00:59:53,014: against 7590 00:59:53,014 --> 00:59:53,105: the 7591 00:59:53,105 --> 00:59:53,554: headrest 7592 00:59:53,554 --> 00:59:53,614: of 7593 00:59:53,614 --> 00:59:53,704: the 7594 00:59:53,704 --> 00:59:54,005: flight 7595 00:59:54,005 --> 00:59:56,434: chair. “Maybe 7596 00:59:56,434 --> 00:59:56,494: it 7597 00:59:56,494 --> 00:59:56,585: was 7598 00:59:56,585 --> 00:59:56,855: just 7599 00:59:56,855 --> 00:59:56,914: the 7600 00:59:56,914 --> 00:59:57,364: station 7601 00:59:57,364 --> 00:59:57,574: giving 7602 00:59:57,574 --> 00:59:57,815: me 7603 00:59:57,815 --> 00:59:58,054: one 7604 00:59:58,054 --> 00:59:58,324: last 7605 00:59:58,324 --> 00:59:59,644: send-off.” 7606 00:59:59,644 --> 01:00:00,244: Smiling 7607 01:00:00,244 --> 01:00:00,934: sidelong 7608 01:00:00,934 --> 01:00:01,204: down 7609 01:00:01,204 --> 01:00:01,295: to 7610 01:00:01,295 --> 01:00:01,625: her, 7611 01:00:01,625 --> 01:00:01,804: he 7612 01:00:01,804 --> 01:00:03,034: added, “And 7613 01:00:03,034 --> 01:00:03,125: to 7614 01:00:03,125 --> 01:00:03,275: be 7615 01:00:03,275 --> 01:00:04,235: clear, 7616 01:00:04,235 --> 01:00:04,445: I’m 7617 01:00:04,445 --> 01:00:04,625: not 7618 01:00:04,625 --> 01:00:04,835: too 7619 01:00:04,835 --> 01:00:05,074: put 7620 01:00:05,074 --> 01:00:05,224: out 7621 01:00:05,224 --> 01:00:05,405: by 7622 01:00:05,405 --> 01:00:05,494: it 7623 01:00:05,494 --> 01:00:06,215: all. 7624 01:00:06,215 --> 01:00:06,394: You 7625 01:00:06,394 --> 01:00:06,724: probably 7626 01:00:06,724 --> 01:00:06,934: had 7627 01:00:06,934 --> 01:00:06,994: a 7628 01:00:06,994 --> 01:00:07,324: rougher 7629 01:00:07,324 --> 01:00:07,625: time 7630 01:00:07,625 --> 01:00:07,775: than 7631 01:00:07,775 --> 01:00:07,894: I 7632 01:00:07,894 --> 01:00:08,914: did. 7633 01:00:08,914 --> 01:00:09,125: You 7634 01:00:09,125 --> 01:00:09,275: and 7635 01:00:09,275 --> 01:00:09,635: Soot 7636 01:00:09,635 --> 01:00:11,795: both.”
She 7637 01:00:11,795 --> 01:00:12,184: averted 7638 01:00:12,184 --> 01:00:12,335: her 7639 01:00:12,335 --> 01:00:12,994: gaze, 7640 01:00:12,994 --> 01:00:13,175: but 7641 01:00:13,175 --> 01:00:13,625: nodded 7642 01:00:13,625 --> 01:00:13,804: all 7643 01:00:13,804 --> 01:00:13,894: the 7644 01:00:13,894 --> 01:00:16,235: same.
“I’m 7645 01:00:16,235 --> 01:00:16,565: proud 7646 01:00:16,565 --> 01:00:16,655: of 7647 01:00:16,655 --> 01:00:17,255: you. 7648 01:00:17,255 --> 01:00:17,405: You 7649 01:00:17,405 --> 01:00:17,585: know 7650 01:00:17,585 --> 01:00:17,764: that, 7651 01:00:17,764 --> 01:00:19,744: right?”
She 7652 01:00:19,744 --> 01:00:20,045: turned 7653 01:00:20,045 --> 01:00:20,135: her 7654 01:00:20,135 --> 01:00:20,494: face 7655 01:00:20,494 --> 01:00:20,855: further 7656 01:00:20,855 --> 01:00:21,724: away, 7657 01:00:21,724 --> 01:00:22,204: hiding 7658 01:00:22,204 --> 01:00:22,414: yet 7659 01:00:22,414 --> 01:00:22,744: more 7660 01:00:22,744 --> 01:00:23,344: tears 7661 01:00:23,344 --> 01:00:23,494: that 7662 01:00:23,494 --> 01:00:23,675: she 7663 01:00:23,675 --> 01:00:23,855: could 7664 01:00:23,855 --> 01:00:24,184: feel 7665 01:00:24,184 --> 01:00:24,664: threatening 7666 01:00:24,664 --> 01:00:24,815: to 7667 01:00:24,815 --> 01:00:26,974: fall.
“No 7668 01:00:26,974 --> 01:00:27,215: one 7669 01:00:27,215 --> 01:00:27,545: died 7670 01:00:27,545 --> 01:00:27,784: that 7671 01:00:27,784 --> 01:00:28,565: day, 7672 01:00:28,565 --> 01:00:28,804: all 7673 01:00:28,804 --> 01:00:29,105: those 7674 01:00:29,105 --> 01:00:29,465: years 7675 01:00:29,465 --> 01:00:29,824: ago, 7676 01:00:29,824 --> 01:00:30,005: but 7677 01:00:30,005 --> 01:00:30,275: everyone 7678 01:00:30,275 --> 01:00:30,485: was 7679 01:00:30,485 --> 01:00:31,954: just…so 7680 01:00:31,954 --> 01:00:32,344: banged 7681 01:00:32,344 --> 01:00:33,155: up.” 7682 01:00:33,155 --> 01:00:33,364: He 7683 01:00:33,364 --> 01:00:33,695: rubbed 7684 01:00:33,695 --> 01:00:33,875: his 7685 01:00:33,875 --> 01:00:34,235: hand 7686 01:00:34,235 --> 01:00:34,565: against 7687 01:00:34,565 --> 01:00:34,625: the 7688 01:00:34,625 --> 01:00:34,925: back 7689 01:00:34,925 --> 01:00:35,014: of 7690 01:00:35,014 --> 01:00:35,135: his 7691 01:00:35,135 --> 01:00:35,885: neck, 7692 01:00:35,885 --> 01:00:36,034: the 7693 01:00:36,034 --> 01:00:36,394: faint 7694 01:00:36,394 --> 01:00:36,724: scar 7695 01:00:36,724 --> 01:00:36,844: that 7696 01:00:36,844 --> 01:00:39,514: lingered there still. “I 7697 01:00:39,514 --> 01:00:39,724: don’t 7698 01:00:39,724 --> 01:00:39,994: know 7699 01:00:39,994 --> 01:00:40,175: that 7700 01:00:40,175 --> 01:00:40,655: anyone 7701 01:00:40,655 --> 01:00:40,925: came 7702 01:00:40,925 --> 01:00:41,284: away 7703 01:00:41,284 --> 01:00:41,465: with 7704 01:00:41,465 --> 01:00:41,795: quite 7705 01:00:41,795 --> 01:00:41,885: the 7706 01:00:41,885 --> 01:00:42,184: same 7707 01:00:42,184 --> 01:00:42,695: scars as 7708 01:00:42,695 --> 01:00:42,905: you 7709 01:00:42,905 --> 01:00:43,445: did, 7710 01:00:43,445 --> 01:00:44,735: Abigail. 7711 01:00:44,735 --> 01:00:45,005: Look 7712 01:00:45,005 --> 01:00:45,094: at 7713 01:00:45,094 --> 01:00:45,215: you 7714 01:00:45,215 --> 01:00:45,454: two, 7715 01:00:45,454 --> 01:00:46,355: though. 7716 01:00:46,355 --> 01:00:46,864: Soot 7717 01:00:46,864 --> 01:00:47,045: is 7718 01:00:47,045 --> 01:00:47,494: regularly 7719 01:00:47,494 --> 01:00:47,974: grabbing 7720 01:00:47,974 --> 01:00:48,394: captain 7721 01:00:48,394 --> 01:00:49,414: shifts, 7722 01:00:49,414 --> 01:00:49,565: and 7723 01:00:49,565 --> 01:00:49,684: you’re 7724 01:00:49,684 --> 01:00:49,985: working 7725 01:00:49,985 --> 01:00:50,344: directly 7726 01:00:50,344 --> 01:00:50,614: with 7727 01:00:50,614 --> 01:00:51,664: glimmer. 7728 01:00:51,664 --> 01:00:51,815: You’re 7729 01:00:51,815 --> 01:00:52,085: both 7730 01:00:52,085 --> 01:00:52,414: still 7731 01:00:52,414 --> 01:00:54,125: here.”
She 7732 01:00:54,125 --> 01:00:54,724: nodded, 7733 01:00:54,724 --> 01:00:55,054: scrubbed 7734 01:00:55,054 --> 01:00:55,144: the 7735 01:00:55,144 --> 01:00:55,445: back 7736 01:00:55,445 --> 01:00:55,505: of 7737 01:00:55,505 --> 01:00:55,655: her 7738 01:00:55,655 --> 01:00:56,074: paw 7739 01:00:56,074 --> 01:00:56,315: over 7740 01:00:56,315 --> 01:00:56,525: her 7741 01:00:56,525 --> 01:00:58,264: eyes. “Thanks 7742 01:00:58,264 --> 01:00:58,385: to 7743 01:00:58,385 --> 01:01:00,264: Soot.”
“Don’t 7744 01:01:00,264 --> 01:01:00,744: discount 7745 01:01:00,744 --> 01:01:01,224: yourself, 7746 01:01:01,224 --> 01:01:02,664: Abby.”
She 7747 01:01:02,664 --> 01:01:04,074: sniffled. “How 7748 01:01:04,074 --> 01:01:04,135: do 7749 01:01:04,135 --> 01:01:04,284: you 7750 01:01:04,284 --> 01:01:06,235: mean?”
“Who 7751 01:01:06,235 --> 01:01:06,324: do 7752 01:01:06,324 --> 01:01:06,445: you 7753 01:01:06,445 --> 01:01:06,835: think 7754 01:01:06,835 --> 01:01:07,195: keeps 7755 01:01:07,195 --> 01:01:07,584: Soot 7756 01:01:07,584 --> 01:01:09,838: going?”
The 7757 01:01:09,838 --> 01:01:10,525: station 7758 01:01:10,525 --> 01:01:10,764: was 7759 01:01:10,764 --> 01:01:11,034: long 7760 01:01:11,034 --> 01:01:11,454: behind 7761 01:01:11,454 --> 01:01:11,605: them by 7762 01:01:11,605 --> 01:01:12,565: now, 7763 01:01:12,565 --> 01:01:12,715: but 7764 01:01:12,715 --> 01:01:12,804: the 7765 01:01:12,804 --> 01:01:13,315: midpoint 7766 01:01:13,315 --> 01:01:13,824: station 7767 01:01:13,824 --> 01:01:14,005: they 7768 01:01:14,005 --> 01:01:14,155: were 7769 01:01:14,155 --> 01:01:14,545: heading 7770 01:01:14,545 --> 01:01:14,934: to 7771 01:01:14,934 --> 01:01:15,144: was 7772 01:01:15,144 --> 01:01:15,474: still 7773 01:01:15,474 --> 01:01:15,534: in 7774 01:01:15,534 --> 01:01:15,594: the 7775 01:01:15,594 --> 01:01:16,704: sector. 7776 01:01:16,704 --> 01:01:17,244: Still 7777 01:01:17,244 --> 01:01:17,844: beholden 7778 01:01:17,844 --> 01:01:17,965: to 7779 01:01:17,965 --> 01:01:18,324: all 7780 01:01:18,324 --> 01:01:18,445: the 7781 01:01:18,445 --> 01:01:19,014: winds 7782 01:01:19,014 --> 01:01:19,224: and 7783 01:01:19,224 --> 01:01:19,764: whims 7784 01:01:19,764 --> 01:01:21,385: glimmer.
She 7785 01:01:21,385 --> 01:01:21,534: was 7786 01:01:21,534 --> 01:01:21,894: still 7787 01:01:21,894 --> 01:01:22,135: done 7788 01:01:22,135 --> 01:01:22,315: up in 7789 01:01:22,315 --> 01:01:22,735: all of 7790 01:01:22,735 --> 01:01:23,144: Soot’s 7791 01:01:23,144 --> 01:01:24,534: captain gear. She 7792 01:01:24,534 --> 01:01:24,835: still 7793 01:01:24,835 --> 01:01:25,255: had 7794 01:01:25,255 --> 01:01:25,444: their 7795 01:01:25,444 --> 01:01:26,844: PDA. 7796 01:01:26,844 --> 01:01:27,114: She 7797 01:01:27,114 --> 01:01:27,445: tugged 7798 01:01:27,445 --> 01:01:27,505: it 7799 01:01:27,505 --> 01:01:27,744: from 7800 01:01:27,744 --> 01:01:27,894: her 7801 01:01:27,894 --> 01:01:28,585: belt 7802 01:01:28,585 --> 01:01:28,735: and 7803 01:01:28,735 --> 01:01:29,034: tapped 7804 01:01:29,034 --> 01:01:29,425: over 7805 01:01:29,425 --> 01:01:29,485: to 7806 01:01:29,485 --> 01:01:29,574: the 7807 01:01:29,574 --> 01:01:34,164: glimmer monitor. 503Ψ. Still just 7808 01:01:34,164 --> 01:01:34,614: barely 7809 01:01:34,614 --> 01:01:35,094: enough 7810 01:01:35,094 --> 01:01:35,304: for 7811 01:01:35,304 --> 01:01:35,695: those 7812 01:01:35,695 --> 01:01:36,295: ghosts 7813 01:01:36,295 --> 01:01:36,414: of 7814 01:01:36,414 --> 01:01:36,505: the 7815 01:01:36,505 --> 01:01:38,335: past…
She 7816 01:01:38,335 --> 01:01:38,605: looked 7817 01:01:38,605 --> 01:01:38,755: up 7818 01:01:38,755 --> 01:01:38,844: to 7819 01:01:38,844 --> 01:01:38,934: the 7820 01:01:38,934 --> 01:01:39,264: window 7821 01:01:39,264 --> 01:01:39,684: across 7822 01:01:39,684 --> 01:01:39,775: the 7823 01:01:39,775 --> 01:01:40,105: narrow 7824 01:01:40,105 --> 01:01:41,005: hall, 7825 01:01:41,005 --> 01:01:41,815: searching 7826 01:01:41,815 --> 01:01:41,965: the 7827 01:01:41,965 --> 01:01:42,385: bare 7828 01:01:42,385 --> 01:01:42,744: hint 7829 01:01:42,744 --> 01:01:42,835: of a 7830 01:01:42,835 --> 01:01:43,434: reflection 7831 01:01:43,434 --> 01:01:43,585: that 7832 01:01:43,585 --> 01:01:43,675: it 7833 01:01:43,675 --> 01:01:45,744: offered.
Sure 7834 01:01:45,744 --> 01:01:47,755: enough.
For 7835 01:01:47,755 --> 01:01:47,815: a 7836 01:01:47,815 --> 01:01:48,835: moment, 7837 01:01:48,835 --> 01:01:49,105: just 7838 01:01:49,105 --> 01:01:49,315: for 7839 01:01:49,315 --> 01:01:49,375: a 7840 01:01:49,375 --> 01:01:50,724: second, 7841 01:01:50,724 --> 01:01:50,815: it 7842 01:01:50,815 --> 01:01:50,934: was 7843 01:01:50,934 --> 01:01:51,144: not 7844 01:01:51,144 --> 01:01:51,385: her 7845 01:01:51,385 --> 01:01:51,655: own 7846 01:01:51,655 --> 01:01:52,465: tear-streaked 7847 01:01:52,465 --> 01:01:52,795: face 7848 01:01:52,795 --> 01:01:52,914: that 7849 01:01:52,914 --> 01:01:53,094: looked 7850 01:01:53,094 --> 01:01:53,394: back 7851 01:01:53,394 --> 01:01:53,485: at 7852 01:01:53,485 --> 01:01:54,204: her, 7853 01:01:54,204 --> 01:01:54,414: but 7854 01:01:54,414 --> 01:01:55,525: Soot’s, 7855 01:01:55,525 --> 01:01:55,704: with 7856 01:01:55,704 --> 01:01:55,885: all 7857 01:01:55,885 --> 01:01:56,065: their 7858 01:01:56,065 --> 01:01:57,505: confidence, 7859 01:01:57,505 --> 01:01:57,715: all 7860 01:01:57,715 --> 01:01:57,925: their 7861 01:01:57,925 --> 01:02:00,204: care.
She 7862 01:02:00,204 --> 01:02:00,684: sat, 7863 01:02:00,684 --> 01:02:01,644: then, 7864 01:02:01,644 --> 01:02:01,795: in 7865 01:02:01,795 --> 01:02:02,275: comfortable 7866 01:02:02,275 --> 01:02:04,045: silence, 7867 01:02:04,045 --> 01:02:04,224: and 7868 01:02:04,224 --> 01:02:04,974: dreamed 7869 01:02:04,974 --> 01:02:05,125: of 7870 01:02:05,125 --> 01:02:10,105: home.




This 7871 01:02:10,105 --> 01:02:11,155: was “Code 7872 01:02:11,155 --> 01:02:11,815: White” 7873 01:02:11,815 --> 01:02:12,054: by 7874 01:02:12,054 --> 01:02:12,565: Madison 7875 01:02:12,565 --> 01:02:12,925: Rye 7876 01:02:12,925 --> 01:02:14,275: Progress, 7877 01:02:14,275 --> 01:02:14,514: read 7878 01:02:14,514 --> 01:02:14,815: for you 7879 01:02:14,815 --> 01:02:14,994: by 7880 01:02:14,994 --> 01:02:15,804: Kergiby, 7881 01:02:15,804 --> 01:02:43,764: a Full Time Panther.