The Fall of Reach

by Eric S. Nylund

  We can assume that the lack of typical “schoolyard” competition and relative lack of stresses in those environments made some of the transitional years easier for him than if he had been, for example, a shorter, weaker child, more prone to bullying.

  School reports do show some bullying tendencies on his part, but nothing particularly cruel and the reports indicate a simple and perhaps normal phase, rather than a trend or pattern. To all intents and purposes he was a fair-minded and ostensibly “good” child. The fact that he recovered from that much trauma and actually served in the Marines is a testament to his strength. We tend to use successful Spartans as a yardstick for strength, sometimes. And that’s unfair. Nobody can bend that much and not break a little.

  His adoptive parents understood that he was a special case and I feel, very strongly, that this kind of reset of environment was important to his recovery and his subsequent growth as a human being. Ironically, I suspect that when he did finally pass away (honorably and in action, I might add) that he was more stable and mature in his outlook than many of the Spartan “success stories.”

  Parental placement is important in these cases for a number of reasons. Secrecy, of course, is paramount, but we’ve found that the structured, disciplined lives afforded by military families help create a sense of stability and purpose for otherwise very confused children.

  There are elements of the Spartan program we still can’t discuss this openly, stuff Halsey didn’t know about, for example, but we can speak with conviction about relative morality, because we have the luxury of hindsight. And the burden of guilt.

  I guess my point is that you have to think about Ralph. I know you’re working with new children. I know that doing this for years can inure you to what they are and what they mean to us. Our child never made it, and I cry every time I think about our little girl, Agnes, I really cry. And I know that’s why we never made it. I will always be sorry for that and for being too weak to help you get through it.

  But these new ones—they have to make it. And when you’re not teaching them, not monitoring them, you have to be a mother to them. You were good at that. You always were.

  Yours faithfully,

  Mike

  UNITED NATIONS SPACE COMMAND TRANSMISSION 34670J-17

  ENCRYPTION CODE: RED

  PUBLIC KEY: FILE / DOUGLAS-SIX-SIX-LIMA /

  FROM: CAPTAIN JACOB KEYES, COMMANDING OFFICER, UNSC PILLAR OF AUTUMN (UNSC SERVICE NUMBER: 01928-19912-JK)

  TO: VICE ADMIRAL KOPANO N’SINGILE / UNSC SECTION TWO SUB-COMMANDER /REACH CENTCOM (UNSC SERVICE NUMBER: 25088-67602-KN)

  SUBJECT: READINESS

  CLASSIFICATION: EYES-ONLY (RND DIRECTIVE)

  VICE ADMIRAL,

  THE PILLAR OF AUTUMN’S REFIT IS 98 PERCENT COMPLETE, AND IF WE CAN MAINTAIN THE CURRENT PACE WE SHOULD MEET ALL RED FLAG SPECS IN SEVENTY-TWO HOURS.

  THE HALCYONS WERE ALWAYS IMPRESSIVE BUT WITH THE MODIFICATIONS MADE HERE THIS SHIP SHOWS WHAT THE HALS TRULY COULD HAVE BEEN. MY CONCERN ABOUT THE FRAGILITY OF HER REACTOR REMAINS, BUT AFTER SEEING ITS ENERGY OUTPUT IN OUR TEST SEQUENCE I CAN APPRECIATE THE VALUE OF THE NEW DESIGN. LET’S JUST HOPE THAT NOTHING GETS LOOSE IN THERE.

  YOU TOLD ME THAT THIS MISSION IS BIG, AND YOU AND I HAVE BEEN THROUGH ENOUGH TOGETHER THAT I BELIEVE YOU. WHILE I EXPECT I’LL BE THE LAST PERSON TO KNOW WHERE WE’RE SAILING, I’VE BEEN AROUND LONG ENOUGH TO BE ABLE TO TELL THAT WE’RE GOING ALONE. I’VE GOT A WHO’S WHO OF ENGINEERS, SCIENTISTS, AND ONI “MONITORS” CRAWLING ALL OVER MY SHIP RIGHT NOW, AND IF THEY’RE ALL HERE THAT MEANS EVERY OTHER SHIP IN THE DOCK IS GOING WITHOUT. PLUS, WE’VE ALREADY TAKEN ON ENOUGH ■■■■■■■■ TO ACCOUNT FOR EVERY GRAM LEFT AT REACH IF I’VE BEEN READING THE FLEET REPORTS CORRECTLY THE LAST FEW MONTHS, SO NO OTHER SHIP COULD EVEN KEEP UP WITH US IF THEY TRIED.

  ALL THIS, AND THE MODIFICATIONS TO STOW AN ARMY’S WORTH OF HEAVY WEAPONS WITHOUT ANY ROOM FOR AN ARMY MAKE IT PRETTY CLEAR THAT I’M ABOUT TO GET SOME VISITORS … AND I KNOW WHAT KIND OF MISSIONS THEY GO ON.

  MY MEN KNOW IT, TOO.

  WHICH LEADS TO WHY I’M REPORTING OUT OF SCHEDULE. YOU CAN GIVE ME ALL THE MISSILES IN THE FLEET, BUT I NEED A CREW TO FIRE THEM, AND I NEED THEM FOR THE DURATION.

  THE DAMNED ONI ORDERS NOT TO DISCUSS WHAT’S GOING ON OUT THERE ARE A SERIOUS INTERFERENCE WITH MY COMMAND. I GET THE BRIEFINGS AND THE REAL NUMBERS AND I UNDERSTAND THAT THERE’S NOT MUCH WE COULD DO IF WE LAUNCHED THE AUTUMN DIRECTLY INTO THE HEART OF IT, BUT I CAN’T EXPLAIN ANY OF THAT TO MY MEN BECAUSE I CAN’T OFFICIALLY ACKNOWLEDGE THAT ANY OF IT IS EVEN TAKING PLACE.

  BUT YOU KNOW AS WELL AS I DO THAT THESE BLACKOUT ORDERS AREN’T WORTH A DAMN. CREW TALKS. ALWAYS HAVE, ALWAYS WILL. IF IT’S NOT THE TECHS OR THE NAVCOM OPS, IT’S MY PLATEWELDERS OUT VERIFYING THE HULL WITH A GREAT BIG VIEW OF THE SHOW BELOW, AND THERE’S NO WAY THAT STAYS QUIET, NOT WITH AS MANY HUSBANDS, WIVES, AND KIDS AS WE HAVE DOWN ON THE SURFACE. AND EVERY DAY THOSE DOUBTS GROW, AND MY CREW IS ONE MORE NIGHTMARE FURTHER AWAY FROM FULL READINESS. I CAN’T HAVE THAT IF YOU EXPECT ME TO DO MY JOB, WHENEVER YOU TELL ME WHAT THAT JOB IS.

  THEY NEED TO KNOW THAT REACH WON’T BE HERE WHEN WE GET BACK. THERE’S NOTHING WE CAN DO ABOUT IT BUT MAKE THIS LOSS MEAN SOMETHING BY COMPLETING OUR MISSION TO THE BEST OF OUR ABILITIES. AND I HAVE TO MAKE THEM UNDERSTAND THAT THIS MEANS STANDING DOWN ON BOARD THE AUTUMN WHILE EVERYTHING GOES TO HELL AROUND THEM.

  I WAS LUCKY ENOUGH TO MAKE MY PEACE DOWN THERE WHILE ON OFFICIAL BUSINESS, BUT NONE OF MY CREW THOUGHT THEY WERE SHIPPING FOR THE LAST TIME AND NOW IT’S TOO LATE. I HAVE TO FOCUS THEM, TURN THEIR DOUBT INTO AN ANGER I CAN USE, AND HOPE LIKE HELL THAT THEY DON’T TURN THAT ANGER ON ME. NOT SURE I’D BLAME THEM IF THEY DID. IF SOMEBODY TOLD ME I HAD TO STAY IN ORBIT THIRTY MINUTES AWAY FROM MY LAST CHANCE TO SEE MIRANDA, WELL …

  BUT I’M GOING TO KEEP THIS SHIP AND HER CREW READY TO FLY, SO I HAVE TO BE ABLE TO TELL THEM THE TRUTH.

  THIS IS A HELL OF A WAR, THAT WE HAVE JOBS LIKE THIS.

  NOW LET ME DO MY JOB.

  KEYES

  < FILE: ■■■■■■■■ - ■■■■ - ■■■■■■ DATE: ■■■■■■■■

  < USER: CLASSIFIED [LEVEL ■■■■■■ AND ABOVE]

  < ENTRY: 19-021/024

  < CLEARANCE: CLASSIFIED [LEVEL ■■■■■■ AND ABOVE]

  < TYPE: POST-INCIDENT INVESTIGATION

  < SUBJECT: INVESTIGATION INTO SECURE NETWORK [SECNET] MESSAGE EXCHANGE BETWEEN SGT. SCHICKER, ALASDAIR R. [GLANCER] AND SGT. POTEET, JOSEPH M. [TRIGTECH] TO ASCERTAIN CULPABILITY OF INDIVIDUALS INVOLVED, AND CLASSIFIED INFORMATION CONTAINED WITHIN, AS IT RELATES TO THE SUBSEQUENT DISCOVERY AND ULTIMATE DESTRUCTION OF REACH BY THE COVENANT.

  < OBJECTIVE: DETERMINE WHETHER THE DETAILS CAPTURED IN THE CONVERSATION CONTAINED WITHIN FILE NO. ■■■■■■■■ - ■■■■ - ■■■■■■ HELD ANY RELEVANCE TO THE EVENTS THAT FOLLOWED, I.E. POTENTIAL ENEMY UNDERSTANDING OF DEFENSIVE FORCES AND TACTICS PRESENT ON REACH PRIOR TO AND DURING THE COVENANT INVASION. [MORE]

  < FILE TYPE: BASIC [FOR FURTHER DETAILS PERTAINING TO THIS DOCUMENT, INCLUDING PARTICIPANT BACKGROUND FILES, CLEARANCE-SENSITIVE AMENDMENTS, AND MORE—CLICK HERE]

  < NOTE: ALL OTHER ENTRIES RELATED TO FILE NO. ■■■■■■■■ - ■■■■ - ■■■■■■ ARE UNDER REVIEW. FULL REPORT PENDING COMPLETION OF INVESTIGATION.

  < DATA: BEGIN 19-021/024 TRANSCRIPT …

  GLancer [1327, 19.07.2552]:

  YOU ONLINE?

  GLancer [1332, 19.07.2552]:

  TRIG! YOU ON?

  TRIGTECH [1332, 19.07.2552]:

  HOLD UP

  TRIGTECH [1332, 19.07.2552]:

  SORRY. ONE OF OUR LIFTS IS BUST. WE GOT HOGS BACKED UP OUT THE GATE. WHAT’S UP?

  GLancer [1333, 19.07.2552]:

  BUSY?

  TRIGTECH [1333, 19.07.2552]:

  ALWAYS, BUT GOT A FEW. WHAT’S UP?

  GLancer [1333, 19.07.2552]:

  NOT BAD. I’LL TAKE YER HOGS AND RAISE YOU 144S. HAD THREE IN YESTERDAY.
<
br />   TRIGTECH [1334, 19.07.2552]:

  WHAT’D THE 144S SET YOU BACK? I CAN RUN DIAGS ON 3 HOGS IN THE TIME THE FLIGHT MECHS CAN RUN ONE BIRD.

  GLancer [1335, 19.07.2552]:

  WASN’T BAD. THEY TAKE A HELLUVA LOT LONGER FOR SYS-CHECKS, BUT NO GLITCHES=NOT A COMPLETE CLUSTER. LAST WEEK GOT ONE WITH A CATCH IN THE ROTOR. BORK’D THE WHOLE DAMN DAY.

  TRIGTECH [1335, 19.07.2552]:

  THAT’S WHY I STICK TO WHEELS ’N’ MUD.

  GLancer [1335, 19.07.2552]:

  YOU STICK TO GROUND TRANSPO CUZ YOU HATE FLYING.

  TRIGTECH [1336, 19.07.2552]:

  POINT?

  GLancer [1336, 19.07.2552]:

  NO POINT. WE STICK WITH WHAT WE KNOW, RIGHT? YOU LIKE DIRT, I LIKE CLOUDS.

  TRIGTECH [1336, 19.07.2552]:

  TRUE. NOT THAT YER TOYS AREN’T INTERESTING,JUST NEVER HAD MUCH LOVE FOR GRAVITY. MUST BE MY INFANTRY BLOOD—BOOTS ON THE GROUND AND ALL THAT.

  GLancer [1337, 19.07.2552]:

  DON’T KNOW WHAT YER MISSIN’.

  TRIGTECH [1337, 19.07.2552]:

  SAYS YOU.

  GLancer [1337, 19.07.2552]:

  HA!

  TRIGTECH [1338, 19.07.2552]:

  SO, WHAT’S UP?

  GLancer [1339, 19.07.2552]:

  NOTHING, REALLY.

  TRIGTECH [1339, 19.07.2552]:

  JUST MISS ME? I’M TOUCHED.

  GLancer [1339, 19.07.2552]:

  YEAH. SOMETHING LIKE THAT. JUST BEEN AWHILE,THOUGHT I’D CHECK IN ON THE OLD SHOP.

  TRIGTECH [1340, 19.07.2552]:

  YOU BEEN OUT A YEAR? OVER, RIGHT? HOW’S FIELD LIFE?

  GLancer [1340, 19.07.2552]:

  IT’S ALRIGHT. GOT FOUR MONTHS LEFT THIS DEPLOY,THEN SHUFFLIN’ BACK TO THE “REAL” WORLD.

  TRIGTECH [1341, 19.07.2552]:

  CAREFUL WHAT YOU WISH FOR. I DON’T KNOW THAT BASE LIFE IS ANY LESS A GRIND THAN A FORWARD PLOT. LEAST NOT THESE DAYS.

  GLancer [1341, 19.07.2552]:

  PROBLEMS?

  TRIGTECH [1341, 19.07.2552]:

  NOT SO MUCH PROBLEMS.

  [1341, 19.07.2552]

  YOU HEAR THINGS, RIGHT?

  GLancer [1342, 19.07.2552]:

  ABOUT HOW IT’S GOING?

  TRIGTECH [1342, 19.07.2552]:

  YEAH. THE WAR.

  GLancer [1342, 19.07.2552]:

  YEAH.

  [1342, 19.07.2552]

  IT SEEMS DIFFERENT DON’T IT? LIKE MORE TENSE?

  TRIGTECH [1343, 19.07.2552]:

  YEAH, I THINK. I KNOW IT AIN’T GOIN’ GREAT, BUT THINGS’VE DEFINITELY GOTTEN TIGHTER LATELY.

  GLancer [1343, 19.07.2552]:

  THAT’S KINDA WHY I HIT YOU UP. WONDERING IF YOU HAD THE SAME VIBE THERE AS HERE?

  TRIGTECH [1343, 19.07.2552]:

  GUESS SO, YEAH. ASSUMED IT’D BE A BIT MORE CRUNCH-MODE WHERE YER AT. I UNDERSTAND WE’RE GETTING OUR ASSES KICKED, BUT DO YOU THINK IT’S GETTIN’ WORSE?

  GLancer [1343, 19.07.2552]:

  THAT’S WHAT I’M WONDERING.

  TRIGTECH [1344, 19.07.2552]:

  SEEMS LIKE. BUT IT’S A WAR—A BIG ONE—SO IT’S NOT LIKE IT’S SUPPOSE TO BE PLEASANT.

  GLancer [1344, 19.07.2552]:

  WAS ACTUALLY HOPING YOU’D TELL ME I WAS BEING PARANOID. THAT I’M OVERTHINKING IT ’CAUSE I’VE BEEN IN-FIELD TOO LONG, MAYBE I WAS GETTING TWITCHY. GUESS NOT.

  TRIGTECH [1344, 19.07.2552]:

  THINGS THAT BAD OUT THERE?

  GLancer [1345, 19.07.2552]:

  NOT SO MUCH BAD, JUST DIFFERENT. A LOT OF ACTIVITY AND A LOT MORE PERSONNEL MOVEMENTS AND WE’VE BEEN STOCKPILING ARTILLERY AND RIDES WHEN THAT SHIT USUALLY GETS ALLOCATED FOR DEPLOY OFF-WORLD.

  TRIGTECH [1345, 19.07.2552]:

  COULD JUST BE THERE AREN’T THAT MANY OFF-WORLDS LEFT TO SHIP ’EM TO.

  GLancer [1345, 19.07.2552]:

  COMFORTING THOUGHT.

  TRIGTECH [1345, 19.07.2552]:

  JUST JOKES.

  GLancer [1346, 19.07.2552]:

  NOT SO SURE.

  TRIGTECH [1346, 19.07.2552]:

  DON’T GET ALL “END IS NIGH” ON ME.

  GLancer [1347, 19.07.2552]:

  I’M TRYING, BUT I’M SERIOUSLY STRESSED. HEARING IT’S THE SAME BACK HOME ISN’T COMFORTING.

  TRIGTECH [1347, 19.07.2552]:

  I WOULDN’T WORRY TOO MUCH.

  GLancer [1347, 19.07.2552]:

  WOULDN’T OR DON’T?

  TRIGTECH [1348, 19.07.2552]:

  I MEAN, I THINK ABOUT IT AND NOTICE THINGS, BUT I’M NOT GONNA OVERANALYZE ANYTHING. RAMP-UPS HAPPEN. THEY’RE JUST KEEPING US PRIMED AND READY.

  GLancer [1348, 19.07.2552]:

  THAT’S WHAT I TELL MY PARANOID SELF.

  TRIGTECH [1348, 19.07.2552]:

  TALKIN’ TO YOURSELF … THERE’S YER PROBLEM.

  GLancer [1349, 19.07.2552]:

  IT’S NOT THE TALKING I’M WORRIED ABOUT. IT’S WHEN I ANSWER BACK.

  TRIGTECH [1349, 19.07.2552]:

  WELL, IF YOU END UP CRAZY AT LEAST YOU’LL HAVE COMPANY.

  GLancer [1349, 19.07.2552]:

  THERE’S A NICE SPIN ON MENTAL ILLNESS.

  TRIGTECH [1349, 19.07.2552]:

  NOT A DOCTOR, BUT HAPPY MY EXPERT OPINION COULD BE OF SOME ASSISTANCE.

  GLancer [1350, 19.07.2552]:

  YER SERIOUSLY NOT WORRIED?

  TRIGTECH [1350, 19.07.2552]:

  HELL YES, I’M WORRIED. PRETTY SURE I MADE THAT CLEAR, BUT YOU CAN’T DWELL ON SHIT OUTSIDE YER CONTROL.

  GLancer [1350, 19.07.2552]:

  MORE SAGE ADVICE?

  TRIGTECH [1351, 19.07.2552]:

  NOT REALLY. MORE LIKE COMMON SENSE.

  [1351, 19.07.2552]

  LOOK, WE BOOST PROD ON THE HEAVY STUFF, LOAD UP ON THE SHOOTERS, AND KEEP THE GEARS GREASED, THE PUMPS PRIMED, AND THE SITUATION AIN’T GOOD, BUT WE’RE READY IF NEEDED. THAT’S OUR JOB. THAT’S THE GIG.

  GLancer [1352, 19.07.2552]:

  I KNOW.

  TRIGTECH [1352, 19.07.2552]:

  I KNOW, YOU KNOW.

  GLancer [1352, 19.07.2552]:

  IT’S ALL KINDA STANDARD ISSUE, BUT THIS IS DIFFERENT. YOU EVEN SAID—IT’S JUST DIFFERENT.

  TRIGTECH [1353, 19.07.2552]:

  WE PROBABLY SAY THAT EVERY TIME THERE’S ESCALATION. I’M SURE EVERYBODY SAYS IT EVERY TIME. JUST THE NATURE OF THE BEAST.

  GLancer [1353, 19.07.2552]:

  MAYBE.

  [1353, 19.07.2552]

  TELL ME SOMETHING—SEE ANYTHING NEW THERE? NEW EQUIPMENT? NEW CREW?

  TRIGTECH [1354, 19.07.2552]:

  NEW GUYS ROLL IN ALL THE DAMN TIME. WE GOT THREE NEW TECHS LAST WEEK.

  GLancer [1354, 19.07.2552]:

  NOT TECHS.

  TRIGTECH [1355, 19.07.2552]:

  LIKE MORE GRUNTS?

  GLancer [1355, 19.07.2552]:

  NOT SO MUCH INFANTRY, BUT YEAH. I MEAN SOMETHING ELSE.

  TRIGTECH [1356, 19.07.2552]:

  BIG DUDES?

  GLancer [1356, 19.07.2552]:

  BIGGER THAN NORMAL, YEAH.

  TRIGTECH [1356, 19.07.2552]:

  GROUP CAME THROUGH DAYS AGO. TOUGH-LOOKING BASTARDS WITH FANCY EQUIPMENT, AND BIGGER THAN HELL. AND NOT JUST SIZE-WISE, THEIR PRESENCE WAS BIG. LIKE, THEIR AURA OR WHATEVER, YA KNOW? BUT THEY WERE ONLY HERE AND GONE IN A DAY OR TWO.

  GLancer [1357, 19.07.2552]:

  KNOW WHO THEY WERE?

  TRIGTECH [1357, 19.07.2552]:

  NOT FOR SURE. YOU GOT THE SAME OUT THERE?

  GLancer [1358, 19.07.2552]:

  YEAH. TWO SETS. BEEN HERE FOR TWO WEEKS-ISH.

  TRIGTECH [1358, 19.07.2552]:

  WHO ARE THEY? ’BERTO SAYS SPARTANS, BUT I DON’T KNOW. NEVER ACTUALLY SEEN ONE. COULD BE.

  GLancer [1359, 19.07.2552]:

  APPARENTLY, YUMA HAD A FEW COME THROUGH AS WELL. TALKED WITH TUPO OVER THERE AND SAME THING, HE SAW A GROUP OF BADASSES ONE DAY—BIG, MEAN-LOOKING, HARDCASES—THEN THE NEXT THEY’RE GONE. HE THOU
GHT THEY MIGHT BE ’JUMPERS OR SOMETHING, BUT IF THEY WERE FROM THE SAME CLASS AS WHAT WE GOT HERE, NO WAY IN HELL.

  TRIGTECH [1359, 19.07.2552]:

  THINK THEY’RE SPARTANS? EVER SEEN ONE?

  GLancer [1400, 19.07.2552]:

  NOT IN PERSON, SO I CAN’T SAY, BUT PRETTY DAMN SURE THEY WERE SOMETHING SPECIAL AND THAT’S WHAT’S GOT ME FREAKED.

  TRIGTECH [1401, 19.07.2552]:

  WHY? IF WE GOT SPARTANS ROAMING AROUND I’D LIKE TO SEE THE COVIES PICK A FIGHT, RIGHT? REACH’S ALREADY FORTIFIED LIKE THE GATES OF HEAVEN, SO ADDING SOME HIGH-END FACE-PUNCHERS TO THE MIX ONLY WORKS IN OUR FAVOR. CRISIS AVERTED.

  GLancer [1401, 19.07.2552]:

  THAT’S THE THING.

  TRIGTECH [1401, 19.07.2552]:

  WHAT?

  GLancer [1402, 19.07.2552]:

  THAT’S WHY I’M WORRIED.

  TRIGTECH [1402, 19.07.2552]:

  WHAT, THE FACT THAT YOU DON’T NEED TO WORRY?

  GLancer [1403, 19.07.2552]:

  FUNNY. NO. THE FACT THAT TOP BRASS IS WORRIED ENOUGH TO POSITION SPARTANS HERE INSTEAD OF THE FRONT LINES.

  TRIGTECH [1403, 19.07.2552]:

  FRONT LINES COULD ALREADY BE STOCKED UP WITH THEIR QUOTA OF SUPERSOLDIERS? THESE COULD BE RESERVES.

  GLancer [1403, 19.07.2552]:

  OR MAYBE WE’RE ON THE FRONT DAMN LINES AND JUST DON’T KNOW IT.

  TRIGTECH [1403, 19.07.2552]:

  THAT’S A BIT OF A LEAP.

  GLancer [1404, 19.07.2552]:

  IS IT?

  TRIGTECH [1404, 19.07.2552]:

  YOU JUST SAID YOU DON’T EVEN KNOW IF THEY’RE SPARTANS.

  GLancer [1404, 19.07.2552]:

  SO DID YOU.

  TRIGTECH [1404, 19.07.2552]:

  RIGHT. SO WE’RE MAKING ASSUMPTIONS.

  GLancer [1404, 19.07.2552]:

  MAYBE.

  TRIGTECH [1405, 19.07.2552]:

  MAYBE? YOU’RE JUST LOOKING FOR EXCUSES TO STRESS.

  GLancer [1405, 19.07.2552]:

  HOPE YER RIGHT. I GOT NO PROBLEM LIVING A LONG, STRESS-FILLED LIFE COMPLETE WITH CONSPIRACY THEORIES AND IRRATIONAL FEAR, BUT WHAT IF I’M RIGHT AND YOU’RE JUST SCARED?

  TRIGTECH [1407, 19.07.2552]:

  TELL YA WHAT. I GOT A TON ON MY PLATE, SO I’M GOING TO GO BACK TO BEING A GREASE MONKEY. YOU CAN STEW IN YER DOOMSDAY FANTASIES, AND WE’LL TALK AGAIN IN A WEEK OR TWO WHEN WE’RE BOTH IN THE SAME DAMN PLACE WE ARE TODAY—OVERWORKED, OVERSTRESSED, AND UNDERPAID. IN THE MEANTIME, HAVE A BEER. HAVE FOUR! JUST DO SOMETHING OTHER THAN WHATEVER THE HELL IT IS YOU’RE CURRENTLY DOING TO YOURSELF.