SQUAD 19

A SHORT STORY FROM THE TISAIAN CHRONICLES By Nicholas Sansb !y S"i#h

nicholassansbury.com

E$i#%$ by Mich%ll% B!o&n% A!#&o!' by (ho%b% S"i#h%!s

ISBN 13: 978-0-9892447-2-5 Copyright 2013 Nicholas Sans !ry S"ith S"ash#or$s %$ition &ll rights r's'r('$) No part o* this p! lication "ay ' r'pro$!c'$+ stor'$ in a r'tri'(al syst'" or trans"itt'$+ in any *or" or y any "'ans+ 'l'ctronic+ "'chanical+ photocopying+ r'cor$ing or oth'r#is'+ #itho!t th' prior p'r"ission o* th' copyright o#n'rs)

,I $o not -no# #ith #hat #'apons .orl$ .ar III #ill ' *o!ght+ !t I -no# .orl$ .ar I/ #ill ' *o!ght #ith stic-s an$ ston's)0 ~Albert Einstein

Tabl% o) Con#%n#s (a!# 1 (a!# * (a!# + (a!# , (a!# Abo # #h% A #ho!

.1.
I ha(' h'ar$ th' r'('lation '*or') In *act+ I1(' h'ar$ it so "any ti"'s I1" 'ginning to 'li'(' it) 2o! -no# th' ol$ saying+ ,th' strong'st instinct in h!"ans is s!r(i(al)0 3hat #as on' o* th' *irst things I can r'"'" 'r '('r 'ing tol$ that st!c- #ith "'+ attach'$ to "y "in$ li-' a t!"or) 3hat1s th' *!nny thing a o!t yo!r "'"ori's4 so"'ti"'s yo! can r'"'" 'r a s'nt'nc' or an i"ag' so cl'arly an$ y't ha(' no i$'a #ho th' h'll yo! #'r' #ith at th' ti"') In th' ol$ #orl$+ this stat'"'nt #as not as r'l'(ant+ !t a*t'r th' o" s $ropp'$ '('rything *'ll apart so *ast+ it got r'l'(ant r'al 5!ic-) 3h' %67s ha$ th' sa"' '**'ct on o!r in*rastr!ct!r' as *rying oil has on ic' cr'a") &n$ thos' #ho s!r(i('$ th' initial lasts ha$ to $'al #ith 'ing t'l'port'$ ac- to th' Ston' &g') 8oo$ s!ppli's $#in$l'$+ $is'as' spr'a$ !nch'c-'$+ an$ (iol'nc' too- th' li('s o* "ost '('ryon' 'ls') 3h' r!l's chang'$ o('rnight) .h'n'('r I r'li(' th' *irst *'# y'ars in "y h'a$+ I al#ays $i(i$' th' s!r(i(ors into t#o gro!ps: th' strong an$ th' #'a-) It #as 9ar#inis":s!r(i(al o* th' *itt'st) I* yo! #'r' in th' s'con$ gro!p+ yo! pro a ly $i$n1t "a-' it long) %('n #ith th' h'lp o* oth'rs+ th' #'a- $i$n1t ha(' a tic-'t to this n'# #orl$) So"'ti"'s I *org't #hy th' n!cl'ar "issil's rain'$ $o#n on th' #orl$) It1s ironic) 3h' #orl$ #as $'stroy'$ o('r Bio"ass+ th' sa"' r'so!rc' that -''ps th' cogs an$ g'ars o* th' #orl$ I li(' in no# "o(ing) 3h' r'st isn1t i"portant4 ;!st anoth'r story in a oo- ;a""'$ *!ll o* $'ath an$ "is'ry) &s I loo- ac- on th' *irst *'# y'ars a*t'r th' Bio"ass .ars+ I al"ost *in$ "ys'l* la!ghing) N'('r #o!l$ I ha(' '('r cat'gori<'$ "ys'l* in th' *irst gro!p) I #as al#ays "'$iocr' at sports+ sp'n$ing "or' ti"' on th' si$'lin's than on th' *i'l$) I 'n;oy'$ t'l'(ision #ay too "!ch an$ o*t'n *o!n$ "ys'l* li(ing (icario!sly thro!gh th' charact'rs o* "y *a(orit' sho#s) 6y "o" !s'$ to t'll "' "y c'll phon' #as an '=tra app'n$ag' I ha$ gro#n) I n'('r #'nt any#h'r' #itho!t it) I lac-'$ th' -ill'r instinct th' strong'st o* th' s!r(i(ors ha$ ingrain'$ in th'ir 9N&) It #as so"'thing I n'('r ha$) I still $on1t -no# ho# I s!r(i('$ thos' *irst *'# y'ars) I still $on1t -no# i* I a" gla$ I $i$) It1s -in$ o* li-' iting into so"'thing an$ not -no#ing i* it is r'ally goo$ or r'ally a$:on' o* thos' things yo! ;!st ar'n1t s!r' a o!t) 3h'r' ar' still goo$ $ays an$ a$

$ays) .h'n I #a-' in th' "orning+ it1s a 50>50 shot #h'th'r I1" gla$ to ' ali(') 7r'tty goo$ o$$s *or a car$ ga"'+ !t not so goo$ i* yo!1r' playing ?!ssian ro!l'tt') So as yo! can i"agin'+ I $i$n1t transition ('ry #'ll to this n'# #orl$) I #ill n'('r *org't thos' p's-y l''ch's I !s'$ to g't on "y l'gs at Boy Sco!t ca"p:th' on's that ;!st #o!l$n1t l't go) In th' *irst *'# "onths an$ y'ars a*t'r th' o" s+ I #as li-' a l''ch+ not #anting to l't go o* th' past) No int'rn't@ Ao# #as I s!ppos'$ to co""!nicat' #ith all o* "y onlin' *ri'n$s@ No c'll phon's@ 2o! "'an I can1t t'=t anyon' an$ I ha(' to act!ally tal- to th'" in p'rson@ I r'"'" 'r as-ing "ys'l* thos' 5!'stions an$ concl!$ing I sho!l$ co""it s!ici$') &*t'r all+ it #as 'co"ing pr'tty co""on) .hy not ;!"p on th' s!ici$' train@ %n$ it no#) Bo$ *or i$ I n'('r g't to !s' "y i7hon' again) B!t I $i$n1t) 8or #hat'('r r'ason+ I chos' to li(') 3o *ight) 3o s!r(i(') C('r ti"' I transition'$ into th' n'# #orl$ an$ *o!n$ "y spot) It1s ironic+ no# that I loo- ac- on "y ;o!rn'y+ to s'' #h'r' I 'n$'$ !p) I r!sh th' stitching on "y !ni*or" #ith a 5!ic- *lic- o* "y in$'= *ing'r+ an$ a s'ns' o* pri$' #ash's o('r "') Squad 19, TDU) I* yo! $on1t -no# #hat that stan$s *or+ yo!1(' pro a ly ''n li(ing in a loc-'$ o" sh'lt'r *or th' past 30 y'ars) 3his+ no# that I thin- a o!t it+ co!l$ ' possi l') So I1ll ;!st go ah'a$ an$ t'll yo!) 39D stan$s *or 3isaian 9'"ocratic Dnion) .'1r' th' *r''$o" *ight'rs trying to pi'c' tog'th'r th' ro-'n #orl$+ on' !ll't at a ti"') .' ar' at #ar #ith th' Co!ncil o* ?oyal Enights+ th' corr!pt ar"y o* th' last h! o* ci(ili<ation: 3isaia) 3h' go('rn"'nt has 'co"' incr'asingly totalitarian sinc' th' st''l #alls #'r' 'r'ct'$ aro!n$ th' Stat') It1s th' irony o* th' n'# #orl$: no# that th' go('rn"'nt has 'no!gh to pro(i$' *or '('ryon'+ th'y stoc-pil' it *or *'ar it #ill all $isapp'ar li-' it $i$ a*t'r th' Bio"ass .ars) & $ip in th' roa$ shoc-s "' ac- into r'ality) I *all to th' si$' against th' '$ o* th' pic-!p tr!c- an$ gra "y gas "as-+ "a-ing s!r' th' *ilt'r $o'sn1t co"' loos') 3h' ra-'s hiss as th' tr!c- slo#ly rolls to a stop) 3his isn1t goo$) .' ar' still at l'ast an ho!r1s ri$' *ro" ca"p) I t!rn an$ stan$ to s'' th' pass'ng'r $oor s#ing op'n) &;a=1s "assi(' *ra"' st'ps o!t an$ po!n$s th' hoo$ #ith a glo('$ *ist) ,It1s o('rh'ating again+ "an) &n$ #' ha(' l'ss than a 5!art o* coolant l'*t) &t this rat'+ #'1r' going to !rn th' $a"n 'ngin' !p '*or' #' g't ac- to ca"p)0

In th' $istanc' I s'' a thic-+ $ar- clo!$ str'tching across th' gray s-y) It1s th' typ' '('n roo-i' s5!a$ "'" 'rs can i$'nti*y:on' that $o'sn1t ta-' prison'rs) %('n 'hin$ "y thicgoggl's+ I can t'll it1s $'*init'ly a "assi(' $!st stor") I cli" across th' '$ o* th' pic-!p an$ ;!"p o('r o!r pr'cio!s cargo attach'$ to th' si$' o* th' tr!c-:;!gs o* Bio"ass) 6y oots hit th' $irt #ith an a!$i l' th!$+ s'n$ing a "!shroo" clo!$ o* $!st into th' air+ !t I1" not aro!n$ *or it to soil "y !ni*or") ,3hat1s not o!r only pro l'"+0 I y'll into "y "as-) 6y (oic' is "!**l'$ an$ th' #in$ is pic-ing !p+ !t &;a= shoots "' a glanc' an$ *ollo#s "y *ing'r to#ar$s th' clo!$) ,SAI3F0 th' ('t'ran s5!a$ "'" 'r y'lls) A' 5!ic-ly go's to #or-+ *lipping !p th' hoo$ an$ p''ring insi$') Ais sh'"agh scar* #hips #il$ly against th' '=pos'$ s-in #h'r' his gas "assho!l$ ha(' ''n) Inst'a$+ a #''-1s #orth o* *acial hair *ights ac- against th' cotton gar"'nt) & *'# "onths ac- h' $ir'ctly $iso 'y'$ "y or$'r an$ $iscar$'$ his "as-+ arg!ing that ,a !ll't is going to -ill "' '*or' canc'r $o's)0 Nor"ally+ I #o!l$ ha(' $isciplin'$ hi" or any oth'r sol$i'r *or *ail!r' to o 'y an or$'r+ !t h' ha$ a point) I ha(' a har$ ti"' arg!ing against th' tr!th) B'si$'s+ h'1s th' larg'st "an I1(' '('r -no#n+ #ith a r'c'$ing "op o* lon$ hair an$ a s't o* stoic l!' 'y's) & typical &nglo-Sa=on *ro" th' ol$ #orl$+ a "o$'rn $ay /i-ing) Ds!ally+ I $on1t arg!' #ith hi") I try to p''r !n$'r th' hoo$+ !t &;a= $#ar*s "' an$ I ha(' to p''- aro!n$ his sho!l$'r to g't a loo- into th' 'ngin' co"part"'nt) ,.' got a stor" arr'ling $o#n on !s+0 I y'll o('r th' gro#ing #in$) &;a= $o'sn1t *linch) ,I can s''+0 h' gr!" l's+ contin!ing to t#ist a scr'# o** th' ra$iator) .ith on' *inal t#ist o* his #r'nch+ th' scr'# pops o** an$+ in slo# "otion+ clan-s onto th' ti"ing 'lt li-' a as-'t all o** th' ri" an$ t!" l's $''p into th' o#'ls o* th' 'ngin' co"part"'nt) ,6oth'rGF0 h' y'lls+ his (oic' trailing o** in a s#irl o* #in$ '*or' h' can *inish his s'nt'nc') ,It1s o-) I ha(' a co!pl' "or' in th' tool o=)0 I r'ass!r' hi" #ith a pat on th' sho!l$'r '*or' racing ac- to th' '$ o* th' pic-!p) ,Nathar+ #hat1s th' %3& on that stor"@0 I as- thro!gh "y h'a$ "ic) Static crac-l's o('r "y 'arpi'c' *or a *'# s'con$s '*or' th' yo!ng (oic' o* o!r $ri('r l''$s thro!gh) ,I $on1t -no#+ sir) H!$ging y o!r "o il' ra$ar:#hich+ I sho!l$ a$$+ I $on1t

tr!stG0 th' sol$i'r pa!s's '*or' "a-ing his 'st g!'ss) ,.' ha(' a o!t 15 "in!t's '*or' things start g'tting $ic'y)0 I gra th' tool o= *ro" th' tr!c- '$ an$ stop *or a split s'con$ to #atch th' stor") S!r' 'no!gh+ it1s a nasty on':th' larg'st I1(' s''n o!t in th' op'n:an$ *or a "o"'nt I *''l na-'$) & "'"ory o* an ol$ *ri'n$ *in$s its #ay into "y conscio!sn'ss+ his s-in ripp'$ a#ay *ro" th' $!st stor" h' *o!n$ hi"s'l* ca!ght in) I sh!$$'r) 6y s5!a$ #on1t s!**'r th' sa"' *at') 3h'y $on1t g't to $i' !ntil I gi(' th'" p'r"ission) I s5!at an$ op'n th' tool o=+ r!""aging thro!gh its cont'nts s#i*tly) S'con$s lat'r+ I1" r!nning ac- to th' *ront o* th' pic-!p #ith a r!st'$ scr'# t!c-'$ a#ay in "y glo('$ han$) ,.' n''$ to g't th' ra$iator o** an$ patch this l'a-+0 &;a= gr!" l's as soon as I r't!rn) & g!st o* #in$ catch's his scar* an$ #hips it into "y *ac'+ t'"porarily lin$ing "') I r!sh it a#ay an$ h'lp hi" p!ll th' ra$iator o= o!t *ro" th' tangl'$ "'ss o* #ir's) 8ro" a 5!ic- glanc'+ it1s a"a<ing th' tr!c- '('n r!ns) I* it #'r'n1t *or th' 39D1s "'chanics+ th' tr!c- #o!l$ ' r!sting a#ay in so"' sal(ag' yar$) 3h' ca"p1s ('hicl' $'pot is call'$ 8ran-'nst'in1s Barag' *or a r'ason) It1s "a$' !p o* $'ca$'s-ol$ cars an$ tr!c-s+ pi'c'$ tog'th'r y parts sal(ag'$ in th' .ast'lan$s an$ stol'n *ro" insi$' th' #alls o* 3isaia) I1(' ris-'$ "y li*' *or "or' than on' ti"ing 'lt or 5!art o* oil in "y car''r) 3h' ra$iator o= is ;a""'$) I p!ll "y )45 *ro" "y 'lt an$ 'at on th' o= #ith th' "'tal han$l') 3h' hiss o* th' #in$ $ro#ns o!t th' ringing o* "'tal on "'tal) &;a= groans+ th' ('ins in his gigantic ar"s popping o!t o* his #in$- !rnt s-in) 3h' o= *inally r'a-s loos' #ith a "'tallic pop lo!$ 'no!gh to ' h'ar$ o('r th' scr'a"ing stor") I #atch &;a= p!ll so"' p!tty *ro" his poc-'t an$ car'*!lly pl!g a s"all r!st hol' that is still l'a-ing coolant) A' no$s in "y $ir'ction) ,3hat sho!l$ hol$ it)0 3og'th'r+ #' position th' ra$iator o= ac- into its co"part"'nt+ an$ #ith on' last stri-' *ro" th' han$l' o* "y )45+ it clic-s ac- into plac') I r'ach into "y poc-'t an$ han$ &;a= th' scr'# '*or' I *org't) .ith a sigh o* r'li'*+ I s!c- in a r'ath o* *ilt'r'$ air an$ t!rn to #atch th' stor" #hil' &;a= r'conn'cts th' t! 's) 3h' gray s-y is split in hal* y a #all o* $ar-n'ss that slo#ly cr''ps to#ar$s !s) It r'"in$s "' o* an oil spill+ th' $ar- li5!i$ 'ng!l*ing '('rything it to!ch's) I ignor' it an$ t!rn to &;a=+ #ho sla"s th' hoo$) ,.'ll@0 A' shr!gs) ,Not s!r' i* sh' #ill hol$+ !t #' ar' o!t o* ti"')0

I no$ an$ rac' to th' ac- o* th' pic-!p) ,B't !s th' h'll o!t o* h'r'+ Nathar+0 I say into "y h'a$ "ic as I cli" into th' r!st'$-o!t '$ o* th' tr!c-) 3h' stor" co"'s into *oc!s again+ an$ I 'gin to r'gr't "y $'cision to ta-' th' singl' ca ) B'ing '=pos'$ in th' ac- is not "y i$'a o* a goo$ $ay '('n i* #' can o!tr!n it) B!t I a" th' s5!a$ l'a$'r+ an$ ris-ing "y li*' co"'s '*or' "y "'n ris-ing th'irs) I tap th' roo* o* th' ca #ith "y pistol an$ t!" l' to th' "'tal s-in o* th' '$ as Nathar p!nch's th' gas) & clo!$ o* 'arth '=plo$'s *ro" !n$'r th' ac- tir's+ an$ I r'ach *or so"'thing :anything:to -''p "' *ro" sli$ing aro!n$) In s'con$s+ #'1r' sp''$ing $o#n th' $!sty r'"nants o* th' high#ay+ #'a(ing in an$ o!t o* th' gra('yar$ o* charr'$ ('hicl's) Nor"ally I a" *ascinat'$ #ith th' arti*acts *ro" th' ol$ #orl$ an$ co!l$ star' at th'" all $ay+ !t I can s'' th' in-y $ar-n'ss o* th' stor" clo!$ inching to#ar$s !s+ an$ "y 'y's $art n'r(o!sly ac- an$ *orth) ,Ao#1s th' t'"p'rat!r' ga!g' loo-ing@0 I sho!t into th' h'a$ "ic) Static *ills "y 'arpi'c' ;!st as a strong g!st o* #in$ p'pp'rs "y ;ac-'t #ith $irt) 3h' s"all *rag"'nts o* poison'$ 'arth *in$ th'ir #ay insi$' th' ag'$ cotton an$ sting "y ar' s-in) ,Aol$ing st'a$y *or no#+ oss+0 &;a= r'spon$s) & *lash o* lightning rips across th' s-y an$ ill!"inat's th' stor" in its 'ntir'ty) 8or a split s'con$ I s'' th' i"ag' o* a *ac'+ !t #h'n I lin- it1s gon':nothing !t a *ig"'nt o* "y i"agination) 3h' .ast'lan$s ha(' a #ay o* $'c'i(ing '('n th' strong'st "in$s) I1(' s''n sol$i'rs #ho ha(' -ill'$ #ith th'ir ('g'tation+ no tr''s+ no li*' at all) 6y 'y's $art ac- to th' h!ngry stor"+ #hich is at l'ast a "il' across an$ gro#ing y th' s'con$) 3hat1s th' "agni*ic'nt thing a o!t th' stor"s that ra(ag' th' arr'n s!r*ac':th' "or' th'y cons!"'+ th' larg'r th'y g't) Ii-' a #hal' s!c-ing -rill $o#n its g!ll't+ th' clo!$1s h!ng'r is !n5!'ncha l') 3h' hori<on is gon'+ th' gray s-y no# co"pl't'ly cons!"'$ y th' stor") Iighting rips thro!gh th' $ar-n'ss again+ an$ I can *''l th' h'at o* th' stor" gro#ing) It has to ' "o(ing at a rat' o* 75 "ph+ "!ch *ast'r than th' s"all *o!r-cylin$'r 'ngin' can carry !s) ,Ao# *ar ar' #' *ro" th' ca"p@0 I y'll into "y "ic again) 6y right han$ 'gins to t#itch+ a sign I1" 'ginning to g't n'r(o!s) I p!t it in "y coat poc-'t an$ sit on it) ,So"'#h'r' 't#''n t'n "il's an$ I $on1t *r'a-ing -no#F0 Nathar *ir's ac-) ar' han$s+ only to ' ro-'n y a night o!tsi$' th' prot'ction o* th' 3isaian #alls) 3h'r' is no#h'r' to hi$' on th' $ry an$ poison'$ s!r*ac') No

Br'at) No# #'1r' lost) I cra#l to "y -n''s an$ p''- o('r th' ca + lin-ing as #in$ p'pp'rs "y goggl's #ith s"all ch!n-s o* $irt) 3h' #in$-ra(ag'$ lan$scap' star's ac- at "') It is arr'n+ #ith not a singl' str!ct!r' in sight) I can1t '('n r'"'" 'r #hat grassy *i'l$s loo- li-'+ or *or'sts) & "'"ory o* "y par'nts1 ac-yar$ tri's to cr''p into "y "in$ '*or' a p'a-si<'$ rocs"ash's into th' right l'ns o* "y goggl's an$ pro"pts "' to sit ac- $o#n) I can s'' th' t''th o* th' 'ast no#) 3h'r' ar' "ini cyclon's t'aring thro!gh th' "i$$l' o* th' stor"+ 'ating '('rything in th'ir path) I #atch a o!l$'r g't s!c-'$ into th' "onst'r an$ *ollo# it as it g'ts spit ac- into th' s-y) 3h' roc- sails to#ar$s !s+ an$ in th' "illis'con$ it ta-'s "' to lin-+ it crash's to th' 'arth a h!n$r'$ yar$s a#ay) I h'ar it crash) Cr at l'ast I thin- I can) &noth'r tric- *ro" th' .ast'lan$s@ It1s happ'ning to "' no#4 I1" losing it) You cant lose it, Obi. I'a$'rship r'5!ir's ra('ry) I -no# th' li('s o* "y "'n $'p'n$ on it) I slap "ys'l* in th' *ac'+ "o"'ntarily *org'tting I1" #'aring a gas "as-) 3h' plastic 5!i('rs !t $o'sn1t shi*t+ an$ th' li*'-sa(ing r'athing apparat!s stays in plac') Slo#ly+ I ta-' in a "o!th *!ll o* *ilt'r'$ air) B't as "!ch as yo! can) 2o!r rain n''$s o=yg'n) 8''$ it) ,Ao#1s it loo-ing !p th'r'@0 I y'll) 6or' static *ills "y h'a$+ incon('ni'nc') ,I pic-'$ !p th' high#ay again) .' sho!l$ ' l'ss than a *'# "il's *ro" th' ca"p+0 Nathar r'pli's) 6y 'y's $art ac- to th' stor") & *lash o* lightning stri-'s a h!n$r'$ yar$s a#ay+ p!l('ri<ing th' 'arth an$ l'a(ing 'hin$ a lac- crat'r) ,7DNCA I3F0 I scr'a") I can *''l th' tir's r'sist as th' 'ngin' s!c-s in "or' pr'cio!s Bio"ass) 3his ti"' I1" r'a$y an$ hol$ onto th' railing o* th' pic-!p) 3h' tr!c- '('ns o!t+ an$ I can *''l r'lati('ly soli$ gro!n$ 'n'ath !s) Nathar has in$''$ *o!n$ th' roa$) .' pass anoth'r str'tch o* ('hicl's+ th'ir charr'$ "'tal s-ins *lashing y) I #atch a school !s+ #hich is still r'cogni<a l' y a hint o* y'llo#+ g't s!c-'$ into th' stor") It1s toss'$ li-' a toy an$ last'$ into th' s-y '*or' $isapp'aring into th' $ar-n'ss) 3h' '$g' o* th' stor" is no# *right'ningly clos') Its $'a*'ning roar $ro#ns o!t &;a=1s (oic' o('r th' ra$io) I *inally "a-' it o!t) ,Ao# ar' yo! $oing+ oss@0 !t no# it has o=yg'n) I can thin-) 3h' static is ;!st an

Ao# $o yo! thin- I1" $oing@ I1" a o!t to g't s-inn'$ ali(' y a l'(iathan "a$' o* illions o* particl's no larg'r than th' p' l's I !s'$ to *ill "y chil$hoo$ *ish tan-) I gra th' railing o* th' tr!c- '$ again ;!st in ti"' to h'ar Nathar sho!t+ ,Aol$ onF0 3h' tr!c- r'ars har$ to th' l'*t an$ rac's across th' arr'n gro!n$) 3h' h'at *ro" th' stor" !rns '('ry inch o* '=pos'$ s-in) I try to co('r "y ar"s y p!lling on th' coat+ !t it1s no !s') 3h' #ar"th p'n'trat's '('n "y thic- oots) I* #' $on1t "a-' it to ca"p soon+ I1" toast) I grit "y t''th an$ hol$ on+ $r'a"ing o* a col$ sho#'r an$ th' so*t car'ss o* a #o"an) 8or a "o"'nt I can pict!r' H!liana+ h'r sil-y lac- hair an$ $ar- ro#n 'y's) B!t a ;olt roc-s "' ac- to r'ality as th' tir's cli" o('r th' top o* s'('ral roc-s) 3h' roc-s "'an #' ar' al"ost to Ca"p Sal(ation+ t!c-'$ $''p in a (all'y #h'r' a la-' !s'$ to ') I $on1t n''$ to p''- o('r th' ca to -no# #h'r' #' ar') I la!gh at th' irony+ co!ghing into "y "as-) 3h' tast' o* "an!*act!r'$ plastic $isg!sts "') B!t #hat oth'rs "' "or' is th' *act #' ar' lit'rally "in!t's a#ay *ro" th' as'+ #ith th' stor" arr'ling $o#n on !s+ stal-ing !s li-' a pr'$ator across th' $'s'rt) I* #' $on1t "a-' it+ i* I1" s!c-'$ into th' cyclon'+ "y s-in ripp'$ *ro" "y on's+ I1" going to ha!nt this plac') Not ;!st 'ca!s' o* ho# horri l' "y l!c- is+ !t 'ca!s' I *o!n$'$ Ca"p Sal(ation) &n$ I r'*!s' to $i' inch's a#ay *ro" h'r sa*'ty) It is not to ') 6y l!c- has r!n o!t) I ha(' *inally lost th' ga"' o* ?!ssian ro!l'tt') 6y r'athing 'co"'s la or'$ as th' '$g' o* th' stor" *inally $'(o!rs !s) %('n th' *ilt'r can1t pro$!c' 'no!gh o=yg'n to -''p "y rain *!nctioning) 9ar-n'ss cons!"'s "'+ !t I1" not s!r' i* it1s *ro" th' stor" or lac- o* air) Bright stars $anc' across "y (ision) 3h' tr!c- tr'" l's an$ sha-'s) I can h'ar th' *aint so!n$ o* (oic's o('r th' ra$io an$ *''l th' h'at 'ating at "y s-in an$ cloth's) & $ip in th' roa$) Cr ar' #' 'ing li*t'$ into th' air@ &ng'r) Con*!sion) 9ar-n'ss) A'at) I clos' "y 'y's an$ $ri*t a#ay)

,C i) .a-' !p+ yo! son o* a itchF0 Sil'nc') 8ir' cra#ling across "y l'gs+ "y ar"s+ "y n'c-)

,7!t it o!tF0 I scr'a") I can *''l han$s hol$ing "' $o#n) Strong han$s an$ a pair o* #'a-'r on's) I op'n "y 'y's+ an$ th'r' sh' is) H!liana) Is this a $r'a"@ ,.'lco"' ac-+0 sh' says+ h'r ro#n 'y's loc-ing #ith "in') I grit "y t''th an$ try an$ sit !p) 7ain shoots $o#n "y ac-+ an$ I i""'$iat'ly crash ac$o#n onto th' roc-y gro!n$ o* th' ca(') ,3a-' it 'asy+0 sh' pl'a$s) I #atch h'r *ing'rs r'ach to#ar$s "' an$ th'n *''l th' r'*r'shing cooln'ss o* a "oist cloth on "y *or'h'a$) ,2o! g!ys s!r' -no# ho# to c!t things clos')0 I no$ an$ list'n to Nathar an$ &;a= ch!c-l') I can1t s'' th'"+ !t I -no# th'y1r' clos') I can s"'ll th' stin- o* th'ir $irt an$ s#'at) ,Ao# clos'@0 I "anag' to cho-' o!t) ,3h' stor" #as on top o* !s #h'n #' p!ll'$ into th' ca(') Cr'o ar'ly ha$ ti"' to g't th' gat' clos'$ '*or' th' 'ntir' ca"p got s!c-'$ a#ay+0 Nathar r'pli's) I loo- *or th' Spanish r'*!g'' an$ *in$ his ag'$ *ac' in th' corn'r o* th' roo"+ loo-ing $o#n at "' #ith '"pathy) ,&n$ h' sho!l$ ha(' clos'$ it '*or' #' got h'r'+0 I say+ shooting hi" a glanc' '*or' pain rac's thro!gh "y o$y again) ,It #as "y $'cision+0 H!liana says+ h'r (oic' *ir") I s"il' an$ catch h'r ga<') No #or$s n''$ to ' '=chang'$) Sh' has "y gratit!$' an$ -no#s it) Sh' rings a cant''n to "y lips) ,9rin-+0 sh' or$'rs) 3h' col$ #at'r *lo#s $o#n "y throat *or a *'# s'con$s '*or' I cho-' an$ co!gh o!t th' pr'cio!s n'ctar) J!ic-ly sh' #ip's th' "'ss *ro" "y *ac' an$ *l!**s a $irt-ca-'$ pillo# !n$'r "y h'a$) ,Sl''p+0 sh' or$'rs again) Cn' #or$ is all sh' n''$s to say) I1" th' l'a$'r o* S5!a$ 19+ !t i* #' ha$ a "oth'r sh' #o!l$ ' it) I list'n to h'r4 I r'sp'ct h'r) So I clos' "y 'y's an$ I $ri*t o** again+ this ti"' into a sa*' plac'+ on' *r'' o* "onst'r stor"s an$ $'ath)

.*.
3h' s-y is gray !t cal") Nor"al) It1s a r'li'*) I glass th' hori<on #ith th' scop' o* "y 30>0K) Nothing) No li*'+ no signs o* li*'+ ;!st arr'n 'arth as *ar as I can s'') It1s ''n t#o $ays sinc' th' stor" al"ost clai"'$ "y li*') .ith '('ry st'p I gain acstr'ngth+ !t I1" not a yo!ng "an any"or' an$ th' *irst $'gr'' !rns on "y l'gs an$ ar"s sting as th' s-in str'tch's) H!liana insists I stay insi$' th' ca(' an$ r'st+ !t I1" a l'a$'r:an$ l'a$'rs $on1t lay lo# #h'n things g't $ic'y) B'si$'s+ ra$io chatt'r int'rc'pt'$ *ro" #ithin th' #alls o* 3isaia l'a$s "' to 'li'(' th' Co!ncil o* ?oyal Enights is planning so"'thing) 3his has "' #orri'$) Not *or th' sa*'ty o* Ca"p Sal(ation+ !t *or th' r'st o* th' 39D hi$ing in th' t!nn'ls 'n'ath th' Capitol City o* I!nia an$ th' s! !r s o* ?ohania) I -no# Co""an$'r &!g!st!s an$ Bo('rnor 8'li= #ill $o anything to *in$ o!r h'a$5!art'rs '('n i* it "'ans sacri*icing hal* o* th'ir o#n ar"y) .' ar' a $is'as' to th'") 3o th' a('rag' citi<'n+ #' ar'n1t th' $is'as') 3h' syst'" is+ an$ #' ar' th' c!r' to th'ir tyranny) &n$ *or i""igrants #ho ar' ro!n$'$ !p li-' li('stoc- an$ $'port'$ into th' .ast'lan$s+ #' ar' hop' in th' *ac' o* $'ath) I sh!$$'r) Ao# "any i""igrants ha(' $i'$ !n$'r Bo('rnor 8'li=1s #atch@ Ao# "any *a"ili's ha(' ''n torn apart y th' Enights+ #ho h!nt th'" li-' cri"inals *or th' cri"' o* trying to s!r(i(' in this #orl$@ & #ar" (oic' r'a-s thro!gh th' gray $a#n+ an$ I *''l H!liana1s so*t to!ch on "y ac-) ,2o! -no# #' ha(' s'ntri's post'$ aro!n$ th' ca"p)0 I -n'# #hat #as co"ing n'=t) ,2o! n''$ to ' r'sting so yo!r o$y can h'al)0 I1$ list'n'$ to h'r r'p'at th' #or$s o('r an$ o('r th' past t#o $ays) I h'sitat'+ scanning th' lan$scap' #ith "y scop' on' "or' ti"' '*or' r'l!ctantly t!rning to ac-no#l'$g' h'r) ,So"'ti"'s a l'a$'r n''$s to s'' things #ith his o#n 'y's+0 I say+ slinging th' ri*l' onto "y ac- an$ "otioning *or h'r to l'a$ th' #ay ac- to th' 'ntranc' o* th' ca(') 3h' ca"p li's ;!st o('r on' h!n$r'$ "il's o!tsi$' th' st''l 3isaian #alls+ *ar o!tsi$' th' $'t'ction o* th' Enights) 3h' 3in Cans $on1t ('nt!r' into th' .ast'lan$s !nl'ss th'y ha(' a $a"n goo$ r'ason)

Tin Cans) It1s a nic-na"' &;a= ga(' th' Enights y'ars ago) B!t I -no# 'tt'r than anyon' that th'y ar' nothing li-' th' tin cans "y por- an$ 'ans co"' *ro") Insi$' 3isaia+ th'y ar' prot'ct'$ *ro" h'a$ to to' in th'ir !ll'tproo* g"'tal ar"or'$ s!its+ an$ th'ir h'l"'ts ar' '5!ipp'$ #ith l!' night (ision goggl's that allo# th'" to *ight in th' "ost '=tr'"' con$itions) 3h' n'on l!' glo# *ro" a Enight1s goggl's is not so"'thing yo! *org't) It1s ha!nting) I -no# 'ca!s' I1(' ''n *ac' to *ac' #ith a han$*!l o* th'") Not "any r' 'ls can say that) .' #al- in sil'nc'+ th' int'r"itt'nt $ra*t o* a chilly r''<' th' only so!n$) 6y 'y's $art ac- an$ *orth across th' arr'n lan$scap'+ al#ays scanning *or $ang'r) It1s -'pt "' ali(' *or y'ars no#+ an$ I -no# th' s'con$ I $rop "y g!ar$+ p'opl' #ill $i') I -no# 'ca!s' th' last ti"' I got so*t+ #' lost t#o o* o!r 'st sol$i'rs) &n int'r"itt'nt !rning *ro" "y h'aling #o!n$s rac's !p "y l'gs) 3h' physical pain o('r#h'l"s "y "'ntal pain+ pr'('nting "' *ro" going to th' $ar- plac' #h'r' I la"' "ys'l* *or all o* th' $'aths I ha('n1t ''n a l' to stop) 3h' physical pain is #'lco"'4 it1s "!ch "or' tol'ra l' than th' "'"ori's o* th' *all'n "'n an$ #o"'n o* "y s5!a$) .' approach th' op'ning o* th' ra(in' #h'r' a larg'+ "an"a$' la-' !s'$ to ') 3h'r' ar' no !il$ings+ #alls+ *'nc's+ or "ar-ings in this ca"p) Nothing can ' s''n *ro" th' ri$g'lin') I -no# 'ca!s' that is ho# I $isco('r'$ th' location y'ars ago) I #as trying to '(a$' a patrol o* Enights #ho ha$ *ollo#'$ "' *or ho!rs) 8ro" a*ar+ th' $ri'$-!p la-' '$ loo-'$ li-' a $'ath trap+ an$ I #as trying to na(igat' aro!n$ it #h'n part o* th' ri$g' ga(' #ay) I #o-' !p in a ca('+ co('r'$ in $!st+ ash+ an$ $irt) .h'n th' Enights scann'$ th' ar'a *or h'at signat!r's+ I #'nt !n$'t'ct'$) Luc . 3his plac' has sa('$ "y li*' t#ic'+ !t ho# "any li('s $o I r'ally ha('@ I -no# in th' n'# #orl$ th'r' is no s!ch thing as l!c-) It is si"ply a "att'r o* choic's) So"'ti"'s th'y l'a$ to li*'+ an$ oth'r ti"'s th'y l'a$ to $'ath) H!liana st''rs h'r #ay $o#n th' roc-y ri$g'lin' ca!tio!sly+ t!rning '('ry st'p or so to "a-' s!r' I1" 'hin$ h'r) ,I1" *in'+0 I sho!t+ crac-ing a *a-' s"il' to app'as' h'r) ,2o! #o!l$ t'll "' that '('n i* yo! #'r' l''$ing o!t *ro" a "ortal g!nshot #o!n$)0 I la!gh4 sh'1s right) ,I't1s hop' it n'('r co"'s to that)0 ,9'al+0 sh' r'pli's)

.ith on' *inal st'p+ #' 'nt'r th' "o!th o* th' "ain ca(') &n op'n last $oor hi$'s o!r as' *ro" th' o!tsi$' #orl$) 3h' gat' is "a$' o* sal(ag'$ "'tal+ sol$'r'$ tog'th'r) 3h' ca('s "a-' th' p'r*'ct sanct!ary+ l'a$ing $''p into th' 'arth) 6!ch li-' th' t!nn'ls !n$'r 3isaia+ th'y l'a$ in "!ltipl' $ir'ctions+ li-' th' 'ntrails o* a sna-'+ pro(i$ing n!"'ro!s 'scap' ro!t's i* th' Enights '('r *in$ o!r location) I r'"in$ "ys'l* it isn1t a "att'r o* i!:it1s ;!st a "att'r o* "#en) 3h' on' thing #' ha(' on o!r si$' is n!" 'rs) .h'n th' Enights -ill on' o* !s+ t#o "or' *ill o!r ran-s *ro" th' i"po('rish'$ ar'as o* ?ohania) 8or '('ry *ath'r -ill'$+ a sol$i'r is orn in his son) 8or '('ry roth'r "!r$'r'$+ a sist'r ;oins o!r ca!s') &n$ '('ry ti"' th' gat's op'n an$ i""igrants ar' $'port'$ into th' .ast'lan$s+ #' ar' th'r' to o**'r th'" a chanc' to *ight against th' 3isaian Stat' that a an$on'$ th'") &n '=plosion *ro" a g'n'rator "is*ir' c!ts thro!gh th' stal' air+ s'n$ing t#o g!ar$s to th' gro!n$ *or co('r) I ar'ly *linch an$ contin!' #al-ing past th' '" arrass'$ "'n+ #ho r!sh o** th'ir *atig!'s an$ r't!rn to th'ir posts) &noth'r sharp pain rac's $o#n oth o* "y l'gs as I 'gin "y ;o!rn'y into th' ca('1s "ain cha" 'rs) I can *''l th' strain on th' s-in #ith '('ry stair:th' s-in str'tching+ th' thin lay'r o* sca s t'aring #ith 'ach st'p) I pr''"pt H!liana1s conc'rn'$ loo-s) ,I1" *in')0 S"il') No$) It $o'sn1t #or-) ,2o! sho!l$ stop an$ r'st)0 3h'r' is ang'r in h'r (oic') ,C-ay)0 I -no# 'tt'r to arg!' #ith h'r #h'n sh'1s "a$) Sh' is th' s#''t'st #o"an I ha(' '('r "'t+ !t !ps't h'r an$ th'r' is h'll to pay) It1s #hat "a-'s h'r a h'll o* a sol$i'r) I prop "ys'l* against th' sharp '$g' o* th' roc-y #all an$ loos'n th' li$ o* "y cant''n+ o**'ring h'r a $rin-) ,2o! *irst+0 sh' says+ h'r ro#n 'y's o ing !p an$ $o#n as sh' no$s) 3h' #at'r is cool an$ sli$'s $o#n "y parch'$ throat 5!ic-ly) 8or a "o"'nt th' pain s! si$'s+ an$ I contin!' $o#n th' stairs a*t'r H!liana has ta-'n a $rin-) .' 'nt'r th' "ain cha" 'r+ #hich $o! l's as a arrac-s an$ staging ar'a) &ll o* o!r ri'*ings occ!r in this roo") I "an'!('r thro!gh th' $o<'ns o* "'tal chairs an$ ta l's+ no$$ing at a *'# sol$i'rs #ho ar' playing car$s) 3h' cha" 'r r'a-s o** an$ t#o t!nn'ls l'a$ $''p'r into th' 'arth) Cn' o* th'" is o!r 'scap' ro!t'+ ranching into a $o<'n oth'r ca('s) 3h' oth'r path l'a$s to s'('ral cha" 'rs that s'r(' as o!r hospital+ arrac-s+ pantry+ an$ ar"ory) &noth'r last

$oor s'parat's th' t!nn'l *ro" th' "ain cha" 'r) 3h' r'"nants o* r'$ paint str'a-s r'"in$ "' o* th' pic-!p tr!c- #' !s'$ to g't th' sal(ag'$ $oor *ro" 3isaia to th' ca"p+ an$ o* th' sol$i'r #' lost $!ring th' "ission) I* I loo- aro!n$ too clos'ly+ '('rything r'"in$s "' o* so"'on' #' lost) I -noc- on th' $oor+ an$ a g!ar$ cran-s it op'n "an!ally *ro" th' oth'r si$') 3h' r!sty chain clan-s+ th' so!n$ 'choing o** th' roc- #alls o* th' arrac-s) 3h' sc'nt o* l'ach cr''ps into "y nostrils as #' pass th' hospital) I pass th' roo" hastily+ trying not to r'"'" 'r th' sol$i'r #ho $i'$ th'r' a #''- ago a*t'r 'ing attac-'$ y a pac- o* *'ral $ogs) 3h' i"ag' o* his g!ts po!ring o!t o* his sto"ach is still ingrain'$ in "y "in$) 3h' n'=t cha" 'r is *or *oo$ storag' an$ $o! l's as a rain gar$'n) .at'r tric-l's $o#n th' shiny ca(' #alls an$ coll'cts in arr'ls lining th' gro!n$+ #h'r' s'$i"'nt an$ to=ins ar' *ilt'r'$) It1s "y *a(orit' plac' in th' ca"p) 3h' $ri l' o* #at'r is har"onio!s in a #orl$ #h'r' I1" !s'$ to h'aring g!n*ir' an$ sho!ting) I 'scap' h'r' '('ry chanc' I can+ so"'ti"'s ;!st *or a *'# "in!t's+ to gath'r "y tho!ghts) I pa!s' at th' 'ntranc' o* th' roo" an$ #atch on' o* th' #or-'rs $ip a t'st t! ' into th' #at'r) 8ro" th' ac-+ th' #or-'r has th' !il$ o* th' yo!ng girl #ho !s'$ to #or- th' gar$'ns) 6y 'y's scroll to th' *loor) Sh' #as -ill'$ in a s-ir"ish s'('ral y'ars ago+ an$ I can1t s''" to r'"'" 'r h'r *ac') It1s on' o* th' #orst things as a l'a$'r+ *org'tting th' *ac's an$ na"'s o* thos' yo! ha(' lost) ,.ho is that@0 I as- H!liana in a #hisp'r+ #atching th' girl1s sil-y lon$ hair *lo# $o#n h'r ac- li-' th' #at'r*all sh'1s coll'cting th' sa"pl' *ro") ,Sasa) Cn' o* o!r n'#'st r'cr!its) S5!a$ 15 *o!n$ h'r an$ a co!pl' o* i""igrants ri$ing o!t a $!st stor" not "or' than 20 "il's o!tsi$' th' 3isaian .alls) It so!n$'$ li-' th'y ha$ ''n '=pos'$ to th' 'l'"'nts *or s'('ral $ays) Sh' #as th' only on' #ho s!r(i('$)0 3h' yo!ng girl t!rns+ s'nsing o!r pr's'nc') Sh' has cool l!' 'y's+ ('ry chil$li-') &n$ sh' isn1t "!ch ol$'r than on') Sh' is "ay ' 14) A'r star' is lan-+ hollo#) I1(' s''n it '*or') It1s th' loo- o* loss) ,I1" Co""an$'r C i+0 I say+ '=t'n$ing "y han$ to h'r) A'r l!' 'y's 5!ic-ly $art to th' gro!n$+ an$ sh' "o('s ac- ca!tio!sly to th' roc- #all) ,It1s o-ay) 2o! ar' sa*' h'r')0

&n$ li-' a o" #ith a short *!s'+ h'r 'y's light !p an$ shoot "y #ay) ,I1" not sa*' any#h'r') Nothing anyon' $o's can chang' that) 3h' 39D $i$n1t sa(' "y *a"ily+ an$ yo! #on1t ' a l' to prot'ct "')0 ,I !n$'rstan$ ho# yo! *''l+ 'li'(' it or not)0 ,No yo! $on1tF0 I inch *or#ar$+ not 'no!gh to in(a$' h'r spac'+ !t 'no!gh to sho# h'r I a" in charg') ,I lost "y par'nts at a yo!ng ag' too) So+ y's+ I $o -no# ho# yo! *''l)0 3h' yo!ng girl plac's th' t! ' o* #at'r onto a "'tal ta l' an$ slo#ly #al-s "y #ay) 8or a s'con$+ I1" not s!r' #hat sh' is going to $o+ !t I hol$ "y gro!n$+ "y oots *ir"ly plant'$ in har$ 'arth) Sh' stops a *oot a#ay *ro" "' an$ h'r 'y's $ri*t *ro" "y *''t to "y sho!l$'rs+ stopping "o"'ntarily on "y ar"or) ,S5!a$ 19+ 39D+0 sh' r'a$s alo!$) ,3hat1s right) 3h' 'st th' ar"y has to o**'r+0 H!liana a$$s *ro" 'hin$ "') 3h' girl ignor's h'r) 3hos' crystal l!' 'y's ar' no# on "in'+ s'arching *or so"'thing) Aon'sty@ Str'ngth@ I ha(' no i$'a #hat sh' is '=a"ining "' *or) &n$ th'n h'r lips c!rl ac- an$ th' *r'c-l's on h'r s"all nos' 'gin to "o(' as sh' tal-s) ,I #ant to *ight)0 3h' #or$s ta-' "' a ac-+ !t I can1t say I1" s!rpris'$) I *''l H!liana1s to!ch on "y sho!l$'r+ an$ I st'p asi$') I ha(' ''n $'"ot'$) It1s pro a ly a goo$ thing 'ca!s' "y ans#'r #o!l$ ha(' i""'$iat'ly ''n no) 3h'r' is no plac' in attl' *or orphans #ith a $'ath #ish4 th'y ;!st 'n$ !p g'tting '('ryon' 'ls' -ill'$) 3h'y ar' th' cannon *o$$'r *or th' Enights:*ish *oo$ in a r'(ol!tion that 'ats innoc'nc' *or r'a-*ast an$ spits it o!t+ still h!ngry *or "or') ,Sasa+ I -no# yo! #ant to *ight+ $'ar+ an$ so"'$ay yo! #ill ' a l' to+ !t *or no# #' n''$ yo! h'r' to h'lp th' ca"p *!nction)0 ,2o! "'an to coll'ct #at'r@0 sh' snarls) ,I1$ rath'r ' o!t in th' .ast'lan$s than $o#n h'r' in this $ar- hol')0 H!liana glanc's ac- at "' *or h'lp) I1" pro"ot'$ again) ,.' can *in$ yo! anoth'r ;o ) So"'thing !p top #h'n th' #'ath'r1s goo$+0 I a$$) ,3'ach "' ho# to shoot+0 sh' r'spon$s) A'r 'y's glo#+ an$ *or a s'con$ th' '"ptin'ss is gon')

I h'sitat') I $on1t "a-' $'als #ith cra<y t''nag'rs+ '('n in #arti"'+ !t in this sit!ation I "ay ' *orc'$ to) ,.h'n yo! ar' ol$ 'no!gh+ yo! #ill l'arn ho# to shoot) %('ryon' is ta!ght ho# to *ight+ !t *or no# #' n''$ yo! to contri !t' to th' gro!p) It1s th' only r!l' I ha(' *or "y s5!a$) Bi(' to th' gro!p an$ yo! shall r'c'i(') .' ta-' car' o* 'ach oth'r h'r':#' #atch 'ach oth'r1s ac-s)0 A'r 'y's $art ac- to th' gro!n$ as i* sh' is consi$'ring a contract) ,I1" ol$ 'no!gh no#+ an$G0 sh' pa!s's an$ glanc's ac- at th' rain gar$'n) ,&n$ I #ill #or- this ;o i* yo! t'ach "' to shoot) .h'n I say yo!+ I "'an yo!+ C i)0 ,Ao# ol$ ar' yo!@0 I as-) ,8i*t''n+0 sh' *ir's ac- 5!ic-ly+ a s'ns' o* pri$' in h'r (oic') I sigh) 9a"n) Cl$'r than I tho!ght) ,I1" ol$ 'no!gh an$ yo! -no# it) Ao# ol$ #'r' yo! #h'n yo! l'arn'$ ho# to shoot a g!n@0 Shit) Sh' is a s"art on' an$ cl'arly -no#s ho# to "anip!lat' "') ,8in') .h'n I1" not on "issions an$ I ha(' ti"'+ I1ll t'ach yo! to shoot) C-ay@0 ,7ro"is'@0 Sh' s"il's) ?'ally@ 2o!1r' going to s"il' at "' no#@ No# I can1t say no) ,7ro"is')0 I pat H!liana on th' ac- an$ r't!rn to th' hall#ay+ i""'$iat'ly r'gr'tting stopping in th' *irst plac') 3h'r' #ill ' no oth'r stops !ntil #' g't to th' ar"ory) I $on1t ha(' ti"' to t'ach any oth'r yo!ng girls ho# to -ill)

.+.
Nights ar' al#ays th' lon'li'st ti"' in th' .ast'lan$s) 3h' $ar-n'ss has a #ay o* "a-ing "' *''l li-' I1" th' only p'rson #ho '=ists+ a singl' *ish in an oc'an o* lac- #at'r) In 3isaia+ th' Bio"ass-po#'r'$ 'l'ctricity p!"ps thro!gh th' loat'$ 'l'ctrical lin's li-' ('ins to a h'art+ ill!"inating I!nia li-' a Christ"as tr'') ,Christ"as tr''s) Aah+0 I la!gh+ !t no on' is aro!n$ to h'ar "') I can still r'"'" 'r on' I ha$ as a -i$) Sasa #o!l$n1t '('n -no# #hat Christ"as is4 I $o! t sh' has '('r s''n a r'al tr'') %('n i* sh' ha$ s''n th' 'a!ti*!l gar$'ns o* I!nia '*or' sh' #as $'port'$ into th' .ast'lan$s+ sh' #o!l$ ha(' only s''n yo!ng tr''s+ nothing #ith l!sh ranch's li-' th' on's that lin'$ "y loc- as a -i$) & $a"n sha"') B!t "ost -i$s $on1t -no# th' 'a!ty o* th' past any#ays) &t l'ast th'y can1t "iss #hat th'y n'('r ha$) In th' $istanc'+ a shooting star t'ars thro!gh th' $ar- clo!$s an$ ill!"inat's th' s-y) 8or a s'con$ I $on1t *''l so alon'+ !t th' trail o* light 5!ic-ly *a$'s) I stan$+ r!shing th' $irt o** "y *atig!'s) 6y 30>0K is $igging into "y sho!l$'rs an$ I !n*ast'n it+ $'ci$ing it1s ti"' to ch'c- o!t th' p'ri"'t'r) I ring th' scop' to "y 'y's an$ glass th' hori<on) 3h' in*rar'$ i"ag' yi'l$s no sign o* li*'+ not a singl' lip o* r'$) ,S'' anything@0 I t!rn+ startl'$+ pointing th' ri*l' at th' s"all silho!'tt' o* so"'on' stan$ing a *'# st'ps a#ay) ,I$'nti*y yo!rs'l*+ prontoF0 I or$'r+ $igging th' !tt o* th' ri*l' $''p'r into th' spot #h'r' it has r'st'$ so "any ti"'s '*or') ,It1s ;!st "') Sasa)0 Slo#ly+ I lo#'r th' ri*l'+ pointing th' arr'l a#ay *ro" th' yo!ng girl1s h'a$) .ith th' s#ip' o* "y in$'= *ing'r+ I ris- gi(ing a#ay "y position an$ t!rn on "y night (ision goggl's) 3h' glo# ill!"inat's h'r *right'n'$ *ac') ,.hat th' h'll ar' yo! $oing all th' #ay o!t h'r' alon'@0 ,I1" not alon'+ I1" #ith yo!)0 ,So yo!1r' a #is' g!y no#@0

A'r *ac' is lit !p li-' a gr''n night light+ an$ I can s'' h'r lan- 'y's staring ac- at "') I *orgot h'r ag'4 no on' !n$'r th' ag' o* thirty #o!l$ !n$'rstan$ that phras') ,.hy $i$ yo! co"' o!t h'r' to *in$ "'@0 Sh' shr!gs) ,2o! sai$ #h'n #' ar'n1t !sy yo!1$ t'ach "' to shoot) Iast I ch'c-'$+ n'ith'r o* !s ha$ any #or- to $o)0 ,I1" #or-ing right no#+ Sasa) I1" al#ays #or-ing) 3rying to -''p '('ryon' sa*')0 I point to#ar$s th' .ast'lan$s) ,2o! s'' that@ 3h'r' ar' a o!t a tho!san$ $i**'r'nt #ays yo! can $i' o!t th'r')0 Sh' t!rns !t r'"ains sil'nt) ,9o yo! h'ar "'@ 9o yo! thin- this is a ga"'@0 ,&ct!ally+ I $on1t s'' anything !t $ar-n'ss) I $i$n1t *in$ yo! o!t h'r') I *ollo#'$ yo!)0 &n$ th'n it all "a-'s s'ns') C* co!rs' sh' $i$n1t *in$ "' o!t h'r') Sh' ha$ to ha(' *ollo#'$ "' 'ca!s' anyon' #o!l$ ' lin$ as a at o!tsi$' #itho!t night (ision goggl's) I gra h'r y th' ar" an$ s5!''<'+ "y grip *ir" #ith rag') ,2o! can1t ' *ollo#ing "' aro!n$+ Sasa) 3his is not a ga"') 3his #orl$ #ill -ill yo! in th' lin- o* an 'y')0 Sh' p!lls o!t o* "y grip an$ sco#ls at "') ,6ay ' I #ant to $i') 9i$ yo! '('r thin- o* that@ 6y *a"ily1s $'a$+ an$ "y *ri'n$s ar' all ac- in 3isaia) .hy #o!l$ I #ant to li(' in so"' st!pi$ prison !n$'r th' san$@0 I1" gla$ sh' can1t s'' "' 'ca!s' th' loo- on "y *ac' pro a ly app'ars '('n $!" 'r than it *''ls) I $on1t clai" to ' "!ch o* a l'a$'r+ an$ I1" $'*init'ly not anything clos' to a par'nt) 6y o#n son is ac- in 3isaia+ hi$$'n #ith a *a"ily to prot'ct his i$'ntity) I r! "y #''-1s #orth o* *acial hair an$ th'n scratch "y thinning hair) ,Sasa+0 I say+ ta-ing a $''p r'ath) ,Aa(' a s'at+ #ill yo!@0 ?'l!ctantly th' girl loo-s to#ar$s th' roc-y s!r*ac' 'lo# an$ sits) I ta-' to on' -n''+ racing *or th' pain as th' s-in *ro" "y !rns str'tch's an$ p!lls) Brit t''th+ r'ath'+ sit) It1s a proc'ss I ha(' $o#n no#) I lay th' ri*l' on th' gro!n$ 't#''n !s an$ star' o!t into th' $ar-n'ss+ a(oi$ing 'y' contact #ith "y yo!ng stal-'r) ,2o! -no#+ I tol$ yo! "y par'nts #'r' -ill'$ #h'n I #as yo!ng too) ?ight@0 ,I h'ar$ yo!+0 sh' r'pli's+ glancing "y #ay) ,I ha(' n'('r shar'$ th' story #ith anyon' '*or') Aon'stly+ I $on1t '('n -no# i* yo! #ant to h'ar it+ !t #'1r' o!t h'r' alon'+ so yo! $on1t ha(' a choic' !t to list'n)0

Sasa -ic-s a roc- g'ntly across th' gro!n$ an$ no$s) ,It #as a *'# y'ars a*t'r th' o" s *'ll) 6y 'ntir' *a"ily s!r(i('$ th' Bio"ass .ars+ li(ing in th' t!nn'ls th' go('rn"'nt $'sign'$ y'ars '*or' to shi'l$ th' pop!lation *ro" th' ga""a rays o* a $'pl'ting o<on' lay'r an$ th' h'at *ro" cli"at' chang') 3h'r' #'r' so "any o* !s+ li(ing li-' rats in th' t!nn'l syst'" 'lo# 3isaia)0 I pa!s' to s'' i* sh' is still list'ning) I1" not !s'$ to tal-ing to -i$s yo!ng 'no!gh to ' "y o#n+ an$ th' #or$s ar'n1t co"ing o!t right) ,Bo on+0 sh' says+ noticing "y r'straint) ,B'*or' th' 3isaian go('rn"'nt cra#l'$ o!t o* th' t!nn'ls an$ !ilt th' gr'at city o* I!nia yo! -no# to$ay+ #' li('$ in horri$ con$itions) 6y $a$ #as a "'chanic+ an$ h' #as tas-'$ #ith r!nning th' g'n'rator that po#'r'$ a s'ction o* t!nn'l #' #'r' li(ing in #ith h!n$r'$s o* oth'r *a"ili's) Cn' $ay h' #'nt to #or- an$ t#o "'n ca"' to o!r s"all apart"'nt) 3h'y ca"' *or "y "o")0 I stop again+ not -no#ing i* I sho!l$ gi(' h'r th' $'tails:not -no#ing i* I #ant to r'li(' th'" "ys'l*) ,It1s o-+ C i+ I1" an a$!lt) Bo ah'a$)0 I r'*rain *ro" la!ghing) &n a$!lt) S!r') I1" not going to arg!' #ith h'r) I r'"'" 'r ho# I #as #h'n I #as h'r ag') 6y r'athing is 'co"ing la or'$) 3h'r' is a r'ason I ha(' n'('r shar'$ this story #ith anyon' '*or') 3h' panic it cr'at's is #ors' than any I1(' '=p'ri'nc'$ in attl') B!t I contin!' *or h'r sa-') ,6y $a$ ca"' ho"' 'arly that $ay+ #h'n th' "'n #'r' 'ating an$ raping "y "o") 3h'y shot hi" #h'n h' tri'$ to stop th'")0 Sasa gasps) ,.h'r' #'r' yo!@0 ,I #as only *o!r y'ars ol$) 3h'y $i$ it right in *ront o* "')0 I sni**l' an$ 5!ic-ly #ip' a#ay th' snot that is *or"ing at th' 'n$ o* "y nos'+ hoping sh' $o'sn1t notic') ,I "ay ha(' ''n too yo!ng to $o anything th'n+ !t si= y'ars lat'r I *o!n$ oth "'n+ an$ I slit th'ir n'c-s *ro" 'ar to 'ar in th'ir sl''p)0 ,2o! #'r' a o!t th' sa"' ag' as "y roth'r+0 sh' r'pli's+ inching clos'r to "') ,I1" sorry a o!t yo!r roth'r an$ yo!r *a"ily) B!t th' r'ason I t'll yo! this is 'ca!s' yo! n''$ to -no# yo! ar'n1t alon') 3h'r' is hop' *or yo!) Ioo- at "':I r'co('r'$)0 I ch!c-l'+ !t sh' $o'sn1t '('n crac- a s"il') ,3h' ca('1s a prison) &n$ I tol$ yo!+ I #ant to *ight)0

,.' !s' th' ca('s *or o!r prot'ction) I tol$ yo! that) It co!l$ ' a lot #ors'+ tr!st "') .' ha(' *oo$+ cl'an #at'r+ pl'nty *or '('ryon' to !s'+ an$ #' ar' sa*' h'r'+0 I r'ply) ,2o! $on1t g't it) I #ant to *ight+ li-' yo!)0 I sigh) 3h' tr!th is+ I -no# '=actly ho# sh' *''ls) I g!'ss I sho!l$ ha(' l'*t o!t th' r'('ng' part o* "y story) & nois' *ro" so"'#h'r' in th' $ar-n'ss p!lls "' ac- into th' a yss) I ;!"p to "y *''t+ ignoring th' pain+ s#iping "y night (ision goggl's o** an$ #aiting *or th' orang' glo# to *a$') 3h'n I glass th' $ar-n'ss #ith "y in*rar'$ scop') ,.hat is it@0 Sasa as-s in a #hisp'r) ,J!i't+0 I r'ply) 3h' hori<on is o si$ian lac-) No signs o* li*'+ !t I contin!' to scan+ th' crosshairs in "y scop' cra#ling across th' arr'n 'arth *or a targ't) &n$ th'n a ho#l rips thro!gh th' sil'nc') ,ShitF0 ,.hat is that@0 Sasa as-s) I *''l h'r r! against "y ac-) ,2o! $on1t #ant to -no#+0 I say+ thin-ing onc' again o* th' sol$i'r #ho #as torn apart y *'ral $ogs a #''- ago) I contin!' to s'arch *or th' ani"al or ani"als !t s'' nothing+ not '('n a pair o* r'$+ glo#ing 'y's) H!st $ar-n'ss) 3h' ho#ls 'gin to *a$' as an int'r"itt'nt #in$ $ro#ns th'" o!t) ,.h'r' is it co"ing *ro"@0 Sasa as-s) I $on1t r'spon$ 'ca!s' th'r' is nothing to say) 3h' *'ral $ogs ar' 'ith'r r'ally goo$ at '(a$ing "' or "y in*rar'$ scop' isn1t #or-ing) %ith'r #ay+ it1s a sit!ation I #o!l$ pr'*'r not to ' in) I rais' "y #rist "ic to "y "o!th) ,Bas'+ this is C i) Co"' in+ o('r)0 Nathar1s (oic' i""'$iat'ly r'spon$s) ,?og'r+ C i) Sal(ation h'r') C('r)0 ,Copy that+ Sal(ation) I1" $oing a p'ri"'t'r ch'c- an$G0 I h'sitat'+ glancing o('r at Sasa) ,Scratch that+ Sal(ation) Sasa an$ I ar' $oing a p'ri"'t'r ch'c- an$ r'5!ir' assistanc') C('r)0 & long pa!s' o* crac-ling static r'a-s o('r th' ra$io #a('s) ,?og'r+ C i) I #ill s'n$ t#o s'ntri's to yo!r 'acon location) C('r)0 I rais' "y ri*l' again+ scanning th' $ar-n'ss *or th' $ogs) No r'$ lips+ not '('n a singl' sp'c o* li*') Sil'nc')

&n$ th'n th' ho#ls 'gin again+ t'aring thro!gh th' night) 3h'y ar' clos'r no#+ an$ I can t'll it1s a pac-) I s#ip' "y night (ision goggl's ac- on) No !s' trying to ' in(isi l' no#4 it1s 'tt'r i* I can s'' Sasa+ 'sp'cially no# that I1" con(inc'$ th' pac- is h!nting !s) 3h' ra(in' is only a o!t hal* a "il' a#ay+ !t th' path is p'pp'r'$ #ith o!l$'rs an$ hol's #h'r' th' $ogs can hi$') ?'tr'ating isn1t th' 'st option) B'si$'s+ r!nning #o!l$ only gi(' th'" th' chanc' to ta-' Sasa in th' $ar-n'ss) I $'ci$' it1s 'tt'r to $ig in an$ #ait *or ac-!p) I t!rn to Sasa+ trying to r'"ain cal") ,Aa(' yo! '('r *ir'$ a g!n@0 I as-) A'r *ac' is still glo#ing li-' a night light+ gr''n an$ scar'$) I can s'' h'r lip 5!i('ring as sh' it's it) ,No+0 sh' r'pli's) 9a"n) 3hat1s #hat I tho!ght sh' #o!l$ say) 6y only spar' g!n is "y )45+ an$ th' -ic- is po#'r*!l 'no!gh to -noc- h'r on h'r ass) I1" not lying4 th' #'apon is a cannon an$ #ill stop anything short o* a 'ar $'a$ in its trac-s) &noth'r pair o* ho#ls r'a-s "y conc'ntration+ an$ I scra" l' *or "y pistol) I !n*ast'n th' clip on th' holst'r an$ *''l th' col$ "'tal in "y han$) ?'l!ctantly+ I han$ th' g!n to h'r) 3h' light *ro" "y night (ision goggl's '"its a #ar" orang' glo# on th' #'apon+ an$ I #atch h'r 'y's gro# igg'r) ,3his isn1t a toy) 3h'r' ar' only thr'' things yo! n''$ to r'"'" 'r+0 I say+ gra ing h'r #rist an$ s5!''<ing it so sh' pays att'ntion) ,8irst+ p!ll ac- this l'('r+ th'n ai" $o#n this sight+ an$ *inally p!ll this trigg'r+0 I '=plain+ sho#ing h'r th' thr'' st'ps) Sh' gra s th' g!n ca!tio!sly *ro" "y han$s an$ points it into th' $ar-n'ss) ,Shit)0 I *orgot sh' is practically lin$+ so I han$ h'r th' *lashlight I ha(' t!c-'$ in "y cargo pants) ,Ds' this #ith yo!r oth'r han$)0 8or a s'con$ I #atch th' yo!ng girl '=a"in' th' pistol '*or' pointing it ac- into th' a yss) 3h' 'a" *ro" h'r *lashlight c!ts a narro# path in th' lac-+ an$ th'n I s'' th'") &t l'ast a $o<'n r'$ 'y's staring ac- at !s+ not 20 *''t a#ay) 3h'y ar' all snarling #ith rag'+ r'a$y *or a long a#ait'$ "'al) ,B't 'hin$ "'F0 I har$ly ha(' ti"' to rais' "y ri*l' '*or' th'y ar' on !s) 3h' *irst shot *ro" "y ri*l' s'n$s on' o* th' $ogs t!" ling into th' $ar-n'ss) Crac , crac , crac F

6y *ing'r p!lls th' trigg'r ac- instincti('ly+ s'n$ing anoth'r thr'' $ogs to th'ir gra('s) 3h' $'a*'ning "i= o* y'lping+ gro#ls+ an$ g!nshots "a-'s it har$ to conc'ntrat') &n$ th'r' ar' so "any $ogs) Circling !s no#) ?'a$y to l!ng') 6y h'art is po!n$ing in "y ch'st+ a st'a$y *lo# o* a$r'nalin' p!"ping thro!gh "y art'ri's) .ithin s'con$s+ I ha(' -ill'$ or "ai"'$ o('r hal* th' pac-+ !t th'r' ar' so "any o* th'") 3h'y ar' thirsty #ith rag' an$ h!ngry *or "'at) &noth'r on' l!ng's *or Sasa+ !t I stop it #ith a high cali 'r ro!n$ to its "i$s'ction) 3h' $og y'lps as its *rail o$y is torn in hal*) I grit "y t''th) 3#o "or' ;!"p o!t *ro" th' lac-n'ss+ an$ Sasa *inally *ir's th' )45) 3h' shots ring in "y 'ars+ t'"porarily st!nning "') I #atch oth o* th' ro!n$s '=plo$' into th' $irt an$ *orc' "ys'l* to ai" "y ri*l') & 5!ic- t#o s5!''<'s o* th' trigg'r s'n$s $og parts *lying into th' night) 6y r'athing is 'co"ing "or' la or'$ no#+ an$ I thin- I can h'ar Sasa crying+ *rantically *iring h'r pistol into th' $ar-n'ss) 3h' 'a" *ro" h'r *lashlight o!nc's #il$ly o** th' arr'n gro!n$) 6y h'a$ po!n$s #ith pr'ss!r' *ro" th' g!nshots) ,.h'r' is o!r ac-!p@0 I y'll) 3h'y sho!l$ ' h'r' y no#) Aal* th' $a"n ca"p sho!l$ ' h'r'+ #ith all th' g!n*ir'+ !t I ha(' *orgott'n ho# littl' ti"' has pass'$ sinc' "y call to Nathar) Battl' has a #ay o* $'c'i(ing a sol$i'r) 3i"' op'rat's at a $i**'r'nt pac' in #ar+ #h'n #hat s''"s li-' an ho!r has in r'ality only ''n a *'# "in!t's) Aal* a "il' is a long $istanc' to tra('l+ 'sp'cially in th' $ar-n'ss an$ #ith a pac- *!ll o* g'ar) 3h' last thr'' $ogs l'ap o!t o* th' lac- night an$ arr'l to#ar$s Sasa+ #ho is stan$ing a *'# *''t to "y l'*t) I *ir' o** a (oll'y o* shots+ ta-ing o!t th' *irst t#o $ogs+ !t th' thir$ "a-'s it past !nhar"'$) I s!c- in a r'ath+ clos' "y l'*t 'y'+ an$ lin' th' crosshairs !p #ith th' $og1s "i$s'ction) I1" not going *or a h'a$shot+ ;!st so"'thing that #ill ta-' th' $og o!t) No roo" *or 'rror) 3h' "'tal trigg'r *''ls slic- against "y *ing'r+ !t I p!ll it+ list'ning to th' *right'ning clic- o* an '"pty clip) ,SAI3F0 I y'll+ tossing th' ri*l' to th' gro!n$) I1" r!nning '*or' th' g!n to!ch's th' san$) I can s'' th' $og l'ap into th' air+ its t''th ai"ing *or Sasa1s n'c-) Sh' *ir's h'r g!n at th' $og as it co"'s $o#n on h'r) I cring') Sh' has to ' $ang'ro!sly lo# on a""o also) By th' ti"' I g't to th'"+ it1s too lat') 3h' $og is on h'r+ an$ sh' is scr'a"ing+ *rantically trying to g't th' 'ast o** h'r) I tac-l' th' $og+ lashing o!t+ snarling no# li-' an ani"al) B!t th'

$og is alr'a$y li"p+ "otionl'ss) & #ar" stic-y s! stanc' co('rs "y *ing'rtips+ an$ *or th' *irst ti"' in $ays+ I s"il') ,Aoly shit) 2o! act!ally hit th' thing+0 I la!gh+ thro#ing th' $og o** "') Sasa shr!gs+ s#iping a t'ar *ro" h'r *ac' an$ shining th' *lashlight on "') ,Aar$ to "iss so"'thing that ig #h'n it1s in yo!r *ac'+0 sh' r'pli's) I -n''l+ an$ th' pain *ro" "y !rn #o!n$s shoot !p "y l'g) I ignor' it an$ loo- h'r o('r) It1s har$ to t'll i* sh' is h!rt4 th' gr''n glo# *ro" "y night (ision goggl's r'('als littl') ,&r' yo! o-@0 Sh' t!c-s th' pistol into h'r 'lt '*or' r!nning h'r han$s !p an$ $o#n h'r o$y) ,Not a scratch+0 sh' says+ a s"il' '=t'n$ing across h'r gr''n *ac') I l't o!t a long+ la or'$ r'ath an$ th'n y'll+ ,3his is #hy yo! can1t ' o!tsi$'F0 A'r 'y's $art to th' gro!n$+ an$ h'r lips p!rs') ,I1" sorry+ I ;!st #ant'$ to l'arn ho# to shoot+0 sh' #hisp'rs) 9a"n) 9i$ I r'ally ;!st y'll at an '"otionally $a"ag'$ t''nag'r #ho has lost h'r par'nts and ''n attac-'$ y a pac- o* $ogs@ Boo$ thin-ing+ C i) /'ry charis"atic o* yo!) ,Sasa+ I1" sorry) It1s ;!stG0 I pa!s' to s'arch *or th' right #or$s an$ #atch th' t#o s'ntri's approach !s+ th'ir orang' goggl's !rning thro!gh th' $ar-n'ss li-' anoth'r pair o* #il$ ani"als) ,9ang'ro!s+0 I *inish+ p!tting "y loo$-soa-'$ han$ on h'r sho!l$'r) Sh' p!lls a#ay+ an$ I -no# I ha(' lost h'r tr!st) Sh' r'tri'('s th' pistol *ro" h'r 'lt an$ han$s it ac- to "') ,3han-s *or t'aching "' ho# to shoot+0 sh' says) 9a"n) I -no# I1ll r'gr't #hat I1" a o!t to say '*or' th' #or$s l'a(' "y lips) ,E''p it)0 &n$ *or th' s'con$ ti"' h'r 'y's glo# to li*') ,&r' yo! s!r'@0 sh' '=clai"s+ th' s"il' r't!rning to h'r *ac') I grit "y t''th an$ crac- a grin) ,2'ah+ !t $on1t "a-' "' r'gr't this+ Sasa)0 &s th' sol$i'rs 'scort !s sa*'ly ac- to ca"p+ so"'thing t'lls "' I1(' ;!st "a$' a ig "ista-')

.,.
3h' ('hicl' $'pot r''-s o* Bio"ass *!'l) It has an !n"ista-a l' an$ p!ng'nt s"'ll) I ha(' no i$'a #hat th' sci'ntists at 3isaia Corporation !s'$ to cr'at' th' *irst atch's o* th' li5!i$ gol$ '*or' th' Bio"ass .ars:altho!gh I1" tol$ th' s'cr't ingr'$i'nt is hy ri$ soy 'ans) .hat'('r it is+ th'y "!st ha(' ha$ no i$'a it #o!l$ spar- .orl$ .ar III) & pair o* sol$i'rs sal!t's "' at th' 'ntranc' o* th' garag'+ an$ I 5!ic-ly r't!rn th' g'st!r') I still ha('n1t gott'n !s'$ to 'ing th' co""an$'r o* S5!a$ 19 '('n a*t'r y'ars o* l'a$ing "'n an$ #o"'n into attl') .ar has a #ay o* "ol$ing "'n into so"'thing igg'r than th'"s'l('s *or th' sa-' o* oth'rs #hos' li('s co!nt on th'") Nathar an$ &;a= ar' #aiting *or "' at th' pic-!p tr!c-) It1s th' sa"' 3oyota that got !s thro!gh th' stor"+ sp'c-l'$ #ith $'nts+ th' paint n'arly stripp'$ a#ay *ro" its anci'nt o$y) It r'"in$s "' o* ho# a$ly #' n''$ anoth'r ('hicl') Not only ar' #' o!tn!" 'r'$ y th' Enights+ !t #' ar' also li"it'$ y o!r '5!ip"'nt an$ *ir'po#'r) &n$ i* th'r' is on' thing I $on1t li-'+ it1s 'ing li"it'$ y "y '5!ip"'nt) ,Ao#1s sh' r!nning+ &;a=@0 I as-+ approaching th' tr!c-) A' cli" s into th' $ri('r s'at an$ t#ists th' -'y) ,Iist'n *or yo!rs'l*)0 3h' 'ngin' co!ghs+ str!ggl's *or air+ an$ th'n s'ttl's into a st'a$y p!rr) ,H!st li-' n'#+0 h' says+ s"iling) N'#) %=c'pt it1s "!ch ol$'r than h' is) I r't!rn th' g'st!r' any#ays+ crac-ing "y lips an$ sho#ing a *'# t''th) ,.'ll I1ll ' $a"n'$+0 I r'ply) &s I #al- !p to th' pic-!p+ Nathar ;!"ps into th' '$ o* th' tr!c- an$ '=t'n$s his han$s to#ar$s "') ,I't "' ta-' thos' *or yo!+ sir+0 h' says+ no$$ing to#ar$s "y g'ar) 9o I r'ally loo- that ol$@ S!r'+ I1(' ha$ a ro!gh night+ !t s!r'ly I can han$l' "y o#n '5!ip"'nt) I '=t'n$ th' *a-' s"il') ,I "ay ' ol$ 'no!gh to ' yo!r $a$+ !t I can still carry "y o#n #'ight+0 I r'spon$) ,&n$ $on1t l't anyon' t'll yo! oth'r#is'+0 &;a= la!ghs) A'1s hol$ing his ch'st ar"or in on' han$ an$ his assa!lt ri*l'+ '5!ipp'$ #ith $o! l' ayon'ts+ in th' oth'r) & tri al tattoo *ollo#s th' !lging ('ins on his right ar" all th' #ay to '$g' o* his shirt) 3h' "an !ilt a r'p!tation y -illing+ s'c!ring his l'gacy a"ongst his *'llo# sol$i'rs at a yo!ng ag') I* h' #as a Enight+ h' #o!l$ s!r'ly ' g!arant''$ a stat!' at th' ti"' o* his $'ath) &s clichL as it so!n$s+ th' na"' h'

#as gi('n y his *'llo# s5!a$ "at's:&;a=+ a*t'r th' #arrior in Ao"'r1s $liad:is "or' *itting than any oth'r na"' in th' 'ntir' 39D) ,2o! ar'n1t going to say goo$ y'@0 a so*t (oic' *ro" 'hin$ "' as-s) I $on1t n''$ to t!rn aro!n$ to s'' H!liana1s glo#ing *ac') ,It1s n'('r a goo$ y') H!st a Ms'' ya lat'r+10 I r'spon$+ t!rning to s'' h'r at th' '$g' o* th' op'n garag' $oor) B'hin$ h'r th' #in$ is 'ginning to ho#l+ particl's o* r'$ 'arth s#irling a o!t) C!r "ission is only a short sal(ag' trip) In an$ o!t) .' n''$ s'('ral ('hicl' parts an$ a g'n'rator+ !t as "y 'y's loc- onto th' .ast'lan$s+ I1" r'"in$'$ that I $r'a$ 'ach trip "or' than th' last) H!liana ta-'s a st'p to#ar$s "'+ hol$ing o!t h'r han$+ an$ I *org't th' $'ath that a#aits "' o!tsi$') ,I -no# yo!1r' !sy+ !t Sasa #ant'$ "' to gi(' yo! this+0 sh' says) & #a(' o* an=i'ty r!sh's o('r "') & gi*t@ I ha('n1t gott'n on' in y'ars) 7'opl' $on1t gi(' gi*ts in th' n'# #orl$) .h'n yo! sa(' th'ir li*'+ th'y r't!rn th' *a(or) I1" intrig!'$ an$ approach H!liana ca!tio!sly) ,.hat is it@0 ,Sh' $i$n1t say) Sh' ;!st tol$ "' to gi(' it to yo!) 3o than- yo! *or sa(ing h'r li*' last night) .hich is anoth'r r'ason I a" h'r'+ C i+0 sh' says st'rnly+ h'r s#''t (oic' 5!ic-ly *illing #ith ang'r) ,.hat #'r' yo! $oing so *ar a#ay *ro" as'@ I tol$ yo! to r'st)0 I roll "y 'y's) ,Sho!l$n1t yo! ' as-ing h'r #hat s#e #as $oing o!tsi$'@0 ,I #ill ta-' that !p #ith h'r lat'r+ !t yo! ar'n1t g'tting o** so 'asily) I $on1t car' i* yo! ar' th' co""an$'r o* this s5!a$) It1s ;!st anoth'r r'ason yo! n''$ to ta-' car' o* yo!rs'l*) .' n''$ yo!+ C i) I n''$ yo!G0 A'r (oic' trails o**) Sh' -no#s sh'1s ;!st l'*t h'rs'l* (!ln'ra l'+ an$ a strong #o"an li-' H!liana $o'sn1t li-' to ' (!ln'ra l') A'r *ac' chang's colors+ an$ h'r 'y's $art to th' gro!n$) 8or a s'con$ I1" r'athl'ss) .' ha(' al#ays ha$ a conn'ction+ !t n'ith'r o* !s has '('r act'$ on o!r *''lings) Sh'1s a gorg'o!s #o"an an$ a h'll o* a sol$i'r+ !t I $on1t #ant to co"plicat' th' chain o* co""an$) I a" h'r s!p'rior+ an$ l'a$'rs $on1t sl''p #ith th'ir s! or$inat's '('n in a ragtag ar"y li-' th' 39D) ,&r' yo! going to ta-' it@0 sh' *inally as-s) I1" still stan$ing th'r' staring at h'r li-' an i$iot+ an$ I1(' totally *orgott'n th' n'c-lac' in h'r han$) ,2's+ sorry) I ;!st+ start'$ thin-ing a o!t o!r "ission)0

,3h' sal(ag' "ission@0 6y 'y's ar' $arting ac- an$ *orth+ an$ th' "o"'nt is no# o**icially a#-#ar$) ,2's+ th' sal(ag' "ission+0 I '=plain) ,.' ha(' to go thro!gh N!-' /all'y+ an$ th' ra$iation al#ays oth'rs "')0 ,.'ll $on1t *org't yo!r gas "as- an$ ?&9 $'t'ctor+0 sh' says) ,N'('r $o)0 I s"il') 3his ti"' it1s a r'al s"il'+ an$ "y lips *''l l'ss pr'ss!r'$) ,So #hat is this@0 I as-+ ta-ing th' n'c-lac' *ro" h'r) 3h' sil('r chain has a cross on th' 'n$ o* it+ an$ I i""'$iat'ly r'cogni<' th' spirit!al sy" ol *ro" th' past) ,3h' Christian cross+0 I "!tt'r !n$'r "y r'ath) ,.hat is that@0 I1" only 15 y'ars ol$'r than h'r+ !t I *org't sh' is too yo!ng to r'"'" 'r r'ligion) It has ''n ann'$ in 3isaia *or as long as I can r'"'" 'r) ?'ligion is th' Stat') Bo$ is no long'r a 'ing4 it is a go('rn"'nt) ,It1s a r'lic *ro" th' past) So"'thing I ha('n1t s''n *or a long ti"')0 ,Ch) .'ll+ #hat'('r it is+ I thin- it "'ans a lot to h'r+ so ta-' goo$ car' o* it)0 ,I #ill ring it ac- sa*'+0 I say) C!r 'y's loc- again) 6y loo$ is *lo#ing+ !t not li-' it $o's in attl'+ p!"p'$ *!ll o* a$r'nalin') It1s a $i**'r'nt *''ling:a #ar" *''ling) Sho!l$ I h!g h'r@ No+ that #o!l$ ' inappropriat' in *ront o* "y "'n) &n$ I $on1t n''$ to t!rn aro!n$ to s'' &;a= an$ Nathar1s 'y's !rning a hol' in "y ac-) ,S'' ya lat'r+0 I say) It r'"in$s "' o* #hat I #o!l$ ha(' so!n$'$ li-' in high school+ #h'n I #as "or' int'r'st'$ in th' int'rn't than pro") No# I1" th' on' l!shing) ,Boo$ y'+0 H!liana says) I *ast'n th' cross aro!n$ "y n'c-+ p!ll th' gas "as- o('r "y *ac'+ an$ cli" into th' pic-!p) It1s ti"' to *ac' th' .ast'lan$s)

.-.
3hro!gh "y goggl's+ I can s'' th' ''rily opa5!' i"ag's o* r!in'$ !il$ings+ shr'$$'$ an$ torn y th' *i'ry last o* th' n!-' that $'(o!r'$ th'") 3h' hori<on is lin'$ #ith th'") It1s har$ *or "ost sol$i'rs to i"agin' #hat it #as li-') 3h' tr!c- o!nc's o('r a roc-+ an$ th' !il$ings $isapp'ar *ro" sight) I p!ll th' "astight'r o('r "y *ac'+ #iping a singl' 'a$ o* s#'at o** "y nos') I #ant to ignor' th' st!"ps o* charr'$ tr''s an$ pr't'n$ th' s!n- l'ach'$ on's ;!tting o!t o* th' scorch'$ 'arth ar' not r'al !t ;!st *ig"'nts o* "y i"agination) It #o!l$ ' 'asi'r to $'ny th'ir '=ist'nc'+ to ;!st *org't that this ol$ #orl$ '('n '=ist'$) I1(' -no#n oth'r sol$i'rs #ho ha(' $on' so+ !t I can1t) I can1t *org't "y "o" an$ $a$+ "y *ri'n$s) &n$ I #ill n'('r *org't "y i7hon' or th' int'rn't) 3h'y ar' l!=!ri's I still #ish I ha$ to this $ay) ,&l"ost th'r'+ oss+0 &;a= says o('r th' ra$io) I pat th' ac- glass #in$o# #ith a glo('$ han$ to ac-no#l'$g' hi" an$ r't!rn "y att'ntion to th' arr'n lan$scap') So"'thing a o!t th' $'str!ction is o$$ly 'a!ti*!l) I $on1t -no# ho# to '=plain it:I $on1t '('n -no# i* I #o!l$ #ant to try i* so"'on' as-'$ "') It1s ;!st a *''ling I g't so"'ti"'s #h'n I1" alon') 3h' tr!c- rolls to a stop an$ I ;!"p o!t+ "y oots lan$ing so*tly on th' har$ gro!n$) .' ar' in th' "i$$l' o* #hat !s'$ to ' a city) 3h' str!ct!r's ha(' ''n co"pl't'ly o lit'rat'$+ an$ i* it #'r'n1t *or a *'# *o!n$ations o* ol$ !il$ings I #o!l$n1t '('n -no# it !s'$ to '=ist) Nathar an$ &;a= "''t "' at th' '$g' o* th' roa$+ #hich is "ostly co('r'$ in $!st an$ $irt) I -ic- a roc- an$ #atch it $isapp'ar in a s#irl o* ash) ,So #h'r' is this plac'@0 I as-) ,8ro" th' loo-s o* it+ nothing s!r(i('$ th' last)0 ,8ollo# "'+0 Nathar says+ his 'y's hi$$'n 'hin$ his gas "as-) I glanc' $o#n at "y ?&9 $'t'ctor) So *ar only "ini"al signs o* ra$iation) 3h' 'arth is alr'a$y starting to h'al) It only ta-'s a *'# "in!t's '*or' I s'' th' shap' o* a collaps'$ !il$ing+ hi$$'n *ro" (i'# 'arli'r y a "o!ntain o* 'arth that th' #in$ has #'ath'r'$ to a cl'an slop') ,H!st 'yon$ that hill+0 Nathar says+ pointing) ,I1ll ch'c- it o!t+ oss+0 &;a= gr!nts) A' p!lls his orang' goggl's o('r his *ac'+ #raps his sh'"agh scar* tightly aro!n$ his "o!th+ an$ h'a$s into th' #in$) & *'# "in!t's lat'r h' r't!rns+ gasping *or air) ,Aoly shit+ #' hit th' ;ac-potF0

It1s all I n''$ to h'ar '*or' I ta-' o** r!nning to#ar$s th' hill) 3h' #in$ is starting to pic!p+ an$ I can s'' a stor" clo!$ r'#ing in th' $istanc'+ !t a tr'as!r' ch'st *!ll o* "'chanical parts is #orth th' ris-) C('r th' "o!n$ o* 'arth I can s'' th' 'ntranc' to a as'"'nt+ slightly co('r'$ y a *'# "'tal signs that I -ic- to th' si$') I 'nt'r it #ith "y ri*l' $ra#n+ ca!tio!s !t '=cit'$) 3h' stairs l'a$ to a larg' roo" *!ll o* "'tal ta l's+ 'ach #ith pil's o* o='s an$ r!st'$ car parts) ,.'ll I1ll ' $a"n'$+0 I say+ pa!sing at th' otto" o* th' stair#ay) It1s th' s'con$ ti"' I1(' sai$ thos' #or$s to$ay+ #hich "'ans it1s shaping o!t to ' a lot 'tt'r than th' $ay '*or') ,C('r h'r'+0 Nathar sho!ts) ,3his is #h'r' I got th' ra$iator *or th' tr!c- a *'# "onths ac-)0 ,.hy th' h'll $i$n1t yo! t'll "' a o!t this plac' '*or'@0 I as-) ,I $i$) 2o! #'r'n1t list'ning)0 I la!gh an$ r'st "y ri*l' against on' o* th' "'tal ta l's) 3h' o='s ar' loa$'$ to th' ri" #ith "'tal parts+ so"' r!st'$+ an$ oth'rs loo-ing li-' th'y ar' in p'r*'ct #or-ing con$ition) ,Ao# $i$ yo! *in$ this plac'@0 I as-+ p!lling a hos' o* so"' sort o!t o* on' o* th' o='s) ,&ct!ally+ I $i$n1t) H!liana $i$)0 I $rop th' hos' ac- into th' o=) ,.h'n th' h'll #as sh' o!t h'r'@ I n'('r a!thori<'$ that trip)0 Nathar an$ &;a= oth loo- to#ar$s th' gro!n$+ th'ir goggl's '"itting a #ar" orang' glo# into th' $ar-n'ss) ,.'ll@0 ,It #as #h'n yo! #'r' "''ting #ith th' oth'r s5!a$ l'a$'rs in th' t!nn'ls !n$'r 3isaia+0 &;a= gr!" l's) ,So I ha(' sol$i'rs l'a(ing as' #h'n I a" a#ay@0 I y'll) &;a=1s scar* $roops an$ I s'' his lips 'gin to "o('+ !t th' ra$io in o!r 'arpi'c's lar's to li*' '*or' h' g'ts th' chanc') ,3his is Ca"p Sal(ation)0 Crac-l') ,N''$ assistanc'G)0 Crac-l'+ crac-l') ,9o's anyon' r'a$@ C('r)0 6y h'art 'gins to rac' as soon as I h'ar th' "'ssag') ,Sal(ation+ this is C i) ?'lay sit!ation) C('r)0 I #ait *or #hat s''"s li-' a "in!t'+ th' crac-l' o* th' ra$io laring in "y 'ars+ #hich ar' still thro ing *ro" th' )45 shots last night)

,C iGthis is H!lianaG#' ar' 'ing attac-'$ y th' Enights) A!rry ac-F .' ar'n1t going to last longF0 3h' *'ar in h'r (oic':an$ th' *act sh' is r'a-ing prop'r ra$io 'ti5!'tt':shoc-s "' into "otion) I1" r!nning *or th' stairs '*or' h'r (oic' *a$'s) It1s "y #orst night"ar') 3h' 3in Cans ha(' *inally *o!n$ !s) ,Aol$ on+ H!liana+ #' ar' on o!r #ayF0

3h' ri$' ac- to as' only ta-'s an ho!r+ !t I -no# #' ar' too lat') .' lost ra$io contact #ith H!liana "o"'nts a*t'r h'r *irst "'ssag'+ an$ I can s'' a trail o* s"o-' illo#ing o!t o* th' ra(in' '*or' #' g't th'r') & l!"p in "y throat gro#s an$ th' loo$ in "y ('ins is oiling) I can1t los' H!liana or th' oth'rs) I ha(' to prot'ct th'") Nathar slo#s th' pic-!p as #' approach+ an$ I ;!"p o!t th' ac- '*or' th' tr!c- stops) I1" r!nning to#ar$s th' la-' '$ as *ast as "y l'gs #ill carry "') 3h' pain *ro" "y !rns shoots thro!gh "y n'r('s li-' a tho!san$ littl' -ni('s sta ing "') I ch'c- "y clip as I1" r!nning an$ t'ar o** "y gas "as-) I n''$ to ' a l' to s'' th' 3in Cans cl'arly #h'n I g!n th'" $o#n) &;a= an$ Nathar catch "' #h'n I g't to th' '$g' o* th' ra(in') .' p''r $o#n+ o!r #'apons $ra#n) &t th' otto" o* th' la-' '$ I can s'' #h'r' th' s"o-' is co"ing *ro":a $'stroy'$ Scorpion+ on' o* th' all-t'rrain ('hicl's th' Enights !s') It1s nothing "or' than a $!n' !ggy+ s'ating only *o!r p'opl') It "!st ' a r'con party) 8or a s'con$ I1" r'li'('$) I* it #as an 'ntir' s5!a$ o* 3in Cans+ non' o* S5!a$ 19 #o!l$ stan$ a chanc') I gi(' oth "'n th' gr''n light to 'ngag' #ith a *'# *lash's *ro" "y han$s+ an$ #' h'a$ $o#n th' roc-y cli** car'*!lly) I can s'' o!r t#o s'ntri's lying in p!$$l's o* r'$ loo$ as soon as I g't to th' otto") I pass th'" 5!ic-ly) Nothing I can $o *or th'" no#) I $on1t -no# 'ith'r o* th'ir last na"'s4 oth o* th' yo!ng "'n ha$ only ''n #ith "' *or a *'# #''-s+ !t I say a "'ntal pray'r *or th'" as I h'a$ into th' ca(') &;a= ta-'s point+ his assa!lt ri*l' ai"'$ $o#n th' $ar- t!nn'l) I pa!s' #h'n #' g't to th' *irst t!rn) I can h'ar so"'thing) I strain "y 'ars to list'n4 it so!n$s li-' crying) &n$ th'n #hi"p'rs+ "or' o* th'") I ta-' o** r!nning $o#n th' hall) 3in Cans $on1t cry) %('n i* th'y

#ant'$ to+ th'ir (oic's ar' "!**l'$ y a r'athing apparat!s+ so !nl'ss th'y ha(' r'"o('$ th'ir h'l"'ts+ it1s on' o* "y o#n p'opl' in n''$ o* h'lp) I slo# to a trot as th' arrac-s co"'s into (i'#) 3h' s"'ll o* s"o-' cra#ls into "y nostrils) & pair o* ha<ar$ lights is *lashing a o('+ #'$g'$ into th' roc-y c'iling o* th' t!nn'l) 3h'y ill!"inat' th' $ar- t!nn'l #ith th' spora$ic *lic-'r o* th'ir scarl't light) .' 'nt'r th' roo" singl' *il') I ta-' point this ti"') .ithin s'con$s I s'' H!liana+ hol$ing th' o$y o* a yo!ng girl in h'r ar"s) Cr'o stan$s o('r th'"+ no$$ing at !s as #' approach) 6y 'y's instantly $art aro!n$ th' roo" an$ co"' to r'st on th' o$i's o* *o!r 3in Cans+ spra#l'$ "otionl'ss on th' roc-y gro!n$) ,Ao# a$@0 I as- Cr'o) 3h' Spanish r'*!g'' r't!rns "y ga<' *or only a split s'con$+ an$ I -no# it isn1t goo$) ,3h'y -ill'$ '('ryon') I* it #'r'n1t *or Sasa+ th'y #o!l$ ha(' -ill'$ H!liana as #'ll+0 h' says+ loo-ing $o#n at h'r) &n$ th'n it "a-'s s'ns') 6y 'y's shi*t to th' gro!n$) I s'' "y )45) 3h'n I s'' th' yo!ng girl in H!liana1s ar"s) It1s Sasa) A'r 'y's ar' clos'$+ an$ a s"all str'a" o* loo$ $rips *ro" h'r "o!th) ,No) No+ noF0 I scr'a"+ $ropping to "y -n''s n'=t to H!liana) 6y han$s r'ach *or th' girl+ !t I *''l a strong grip on "y sho!l$'rs) ,.' ha(' to g't o!t o* h'r'+ C i) 3h' Enights #ill ' s'n$ing r'in*orc'"'ntsF0 &;a= y'lls *ro" 'hin$ "') Ais #or$s r'p'at o('r in o('r in "y h'a$+ !t I1" not list'ning) &ll I can s'' ar' th' t#o loo$y stains on Sasa1s !ni*or") 3h' on' sh' $i$n1t #ant to #'ar:th' on' I *orc'$ h'r to #'ar) ,NCF0 I scr'a" again+ sha-ing h'r li"p o$y) H!liana scoots ac-+ #atching "' in *'ar) ,Sh'1s gon'+ C i) 3h'r' isn1t anything #' can $o+0 sh' says so*tly) ,.' ha(' to go+ ossF0 &;a= y'lls again) I can s'' Cr'o an$ Nathar circling aro!n$ "'+ #aiting to p!ll "' *ro" Sasa1s o$y+ !t I can1t l'a(' h'r) 3h' salty sting o* t'ars rac's $o#n "y #in$- !rnt *ac') I grip Sasa1s li*'l'ss o$y tight'r in "y ar"s) I1(' *ail'$ h'r)

,Bra hi"+0 a (oic' says+ !t I1" no long'r list'ning) I1" hol$ing h'r tight'r an$ tight'r '*or' I1" $ragg'$ a#ay) I *ight th' han$s aro!n$ "y sho!l$'rs+ an$ "y *ing'rs scrap' th' n'c-lac' aro!n$ "y n'c-) 8inally I snap o!t o* it) ,&lrightF0 I y'll) ,B!t #' ring h'r #ith !s)0 Slo#ly th' han$s l't go o* "'+ an$ I car'ss th' n'c-lac') 3h' gi*t that Sasa ga(' "' *or sa(ing h'r li*') I loo- o('r at H!liana:th' li*' Sasa sa('$ in r't!rn) &noth'r t'ar rac's $o#n "y chin+ !t I #ip' it a#ay+ "i=ing it #ith loo$) ,Sh' sa('$ yo!r li*'@0 I as- H!liana as #' h!rry $o#n th' t!nn'l ac- to th' la-' '$) ,2's+0 H!liana r'spon$s) Sh' stops in th' 'ntranc' o* th' ca(' an$ han$s "' "y )45) ,& gi*t *or a gi*t+0 sh' says+ han$ing "' "y pistol) I crac- a s"all s"il' an$ #ip' anoth'r t'ar *ro" "y ch''- as I p''r $o#n at "y g!n) ,& li*' *or a li*'+0 I r'spon$ '*or' #' ta-' o** r!nning *or th' 'scap' t!nn'l)

Fo! "o!% abo # S/ a$ 190 #h% 1ni2h#s an$ Tisaia0 ch%c' o # #h% n%& no3%l0 Th% Bio"ass R%3ol #ion4 An$ $on5# )o!2%# #o loo' )o! #h% o#h%! sho!# s#o!y0 A Royal 1ni2h#6

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Nicholas 'nt'r'$ th' #hirl#in$ o* s'l*-p! lishing in 2013 #ith th' gripping $ystopian thrill'r+ 3h' Bio"ass ?'(ol!tion+ a co"ing-o*-ag' story s't in a post-apocalyptic *!t!r' a*t'r *ossil *!'ls ha(' (anish'$) 3#o pr'5!'l stori's that $'tail oth si$'s o* th' r'(ol!tion:,S5!a$ 190 an$ ,& ?oyal Enight0:*ollo#'$ shortly a*t'r) Ais n'# s'ri's+ Cr s+ is a t'rri*ying an$ s!sp'ns'*!l sci*i acco!nt o* a sci'nc' t'a" #or-ing in a Biosph'r' that *in$s its'l* s!$$'nly c!t o** *ro" th' r'st o* th' #orl$) .h'n th' last $oors hiss op'n+ th'y 'nt'r th' horri*ying a*t'r"ath o* a cataclys"ic cos"ological '('nt Nanticipat'$ r'l'as' in Ccto 'r 2013O) Boo- II #ill ' o!t y th' ti"' yo! ring in th' N'# 2'ar) Ais #riting consist'ntly a$$r'ss's topical iss!'s s!ch as cli"at' chang'+ i""igration+ *ossil *!'ls+ r'ligion+ an$ #ar y a$$ing th' intrig!ing t#ist o* sci'nc' *iction) Ais "otto as an a!thor is+ ,8or'('r #riting so"'thing $i**'r'nt+0 an$ h' stri('s to cr'at' !ni5!' conc'pts) .h'n Nicholas isn1t #riting+ h' is "or' than li-'ly att'"pting to *in$ inno(ati(' #ays *or his ins!ranc' co"pany to r'(o-' his li*' ins!ranc') &n a$r'nalin' ;!n-i' at h'art+ Nicholas '=plo$'$ onto th' triathlon sc'n' in 2012+ consist'ntly *inishing in th' top 10P o* his ag' gro!p in short $istanc' rac's) In 2013 h' $'ci$'$ to !p th' ant' an$ co"pl't'$ his *irst Aal* Iron"an in Bal('ston+ 3'=as an$ 8!ll Iron"an in Co'!r 91&l'n'+ I$aho) In S'pt'" 'r h' #ill co"p't' in th' Ay-/'' 5150 National Cha"pionships in 9's 6oin's+ Io#a) Ch'c- o!t his n(rstoptriing)t!" lr)co" *or *itn'ss an$ h'alth tips) log at

&n hon'st g'ntl'"an an$ h!"anist+ Nicholas is -no#n *or his co"passion) & ('g'tarian an$ ani"al lo('r+ h' start'$ th' not-*or-pro*it 2??acing in 2013 #ith th' i$'a o* r!nning a $og in rac's across th' 6i$#'st to rais' "on'y *or ani"al #'l*ar') Ioo- *or hi" an$ his $og on th' rac' sc'n' in 2014 an$ (isit th'" at 2??acing)org) A' pays th' ills as a pro;'ct sp'cialist #ith Io#a Ao"'lan$ S'c!rity an$ %"'rg'ncy

"anag'"'nt+ #h'r' h' h'lps co""!niti's r'co('r *ro" nat!ral an$ "an-"a$' $isast'rs) A' has !n$'rgra$!at' $'gr''s *ro" th' Dni('rsity o* Io#a in 7olitical Sci'nc' an$ &"'rican In$ian St!$i's+ an$ a gra$!at' $'gr'' *ro" 9ra-' Dni('rsity in 7! lic 7olicy) &n a(i$ #rit'r an$ r'a$'r his 'ntir' li*'+ Nicholas 'nhanc'$ his #riting s-ills y ta-ing cr'ati(' #riting class's thro!gh th' Dni('rsity o* Io#a .rit'rs1 .or-shop as an !n$'rgra$!at') A' li('s in th' 6i$$l's'= historic $istrict in his ho"'to#n o* 9's 6oin's+ Io#a+ #ith his $og B'lla)

Fo! "o!% in)o0 )ollo& his &a3% o) s7ill%$ in' a#8

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