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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

http://nicholassansburysmith.com/index.phphttp://nicholassansburysmith.com/index.php

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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)

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,I $o not no# #ith #hat #'apons .orl$ .ar III #ill ' *o!ght+ !t I no# .orl$ .ar I/ #ill

' *o!ght #ith stics an$ ston's)

~Albert Einstein

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Tabl% o) Con#%n#s

(a!# 1

(a!# *

(a!# +

(a!# ,

(a!# -

Abo# #h% A#ho!

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$ays) .h'n I #a' in th' "orning+ its a 50>50 shot #h'th'r I" gla$ to ' ali(') r'tty goo$

o$$s *or a car$ ga"'+ !t not so goo$ i* yo!r' playing ?!ssian ro!l'tt')

So as yo! can i"agin'+ I $i$nt transition ('ry #'ll to this n'# #orl$) I #ill n'('r *org't

thos' p'sy l''ch's I !s'$ to g't on "y l'gs at Boy Sco!t ca"pth' on's that ;!st #o!l$nt 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@ o! "'an I cant t'=t anyon' an$ I ha(' to act!ally tal to th'" in p'rson@

I r'"'"'r asing "ys'l* thos' !'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#) o$ *ori$

I n'('r g't to !s' "y ihon' again)

B!t I $i$nt) or #hat'('r r'ason+ I chos' to li(') o *ight) o s!r(i(') ('r ti"' I

transition'$ into th' n'# #orl$ an$ *o!n$ "y spot) Its 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 !ic *lic o* "y in$'= *ing'r+ an$ a s'ns' o*

pri$' #ash's o('r "') Squad 19, TDU) I* yo! $ont no# #hat that stan$s *or+ yo!(' proaly

''n li(ing in a loc'$ o" sh'lt'r *or th' past 30 y'ars) his+ no# that I thin ao!t it+ co!l$

' possil') So Ill ;!st go ah'a$ an$ t'll yo!)

D stan$s *or isaian '"ocratic Dnion) .'r' th' *r''$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

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In th' $istanc' I s'' a thic+ $ar clo!$ str'tching across th' gray sy) Its th' typ' '('n

rooi' s!a$ "'"'rs can i$'nti*yon' that $o'snt ta' prison'rs) %('n 'hin$ "y thic

goggl's+ I can t'll its $'*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' $irt #ith an a!$il' th!$+ s'n$ing a "!shroo"

clo!$ o* $!st into th' air+ !t I" not aro!n$ *or it to soil "y !ni*or")

,hats not o!r only prol'"+ I y'll into "y "as) 6y (oic' is "!**l'$ an$ th' #in$ is

picing !p+ !t &;a= shoots "' a glanc' an$ *ollo#s "y *ing'r to#ar$s th' clo!$)

,SAIF th' ('t'ran s!a$ "'"'r y'lls) A' !icly go's to #or+ *lipping !p th' hoo$ an$

p''ring insi$') Ais sh'"agh scar* #hips #il$ly against th' '=pos'$ sin #h'r' his gas "as

sho!l$ ha(' ''n) Inst'a$+ a #''s #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 $o's) Nor"ally+ I #o!l$ 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$'s+ h's th' larg'st "an I(' '('r no#n+ #ith a r'c'$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 /iing) Ds!ally+

I $ont 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+ I y'll o('r th'

gro#ing #in$)

&;a= $o'snt *linch) ,I can s''+ h' gr!"l's+ contin!ing to t#ist a scr'# o** th' ra$iator)

.ith on' *inal t#ist o* his #r'nch+ th' scr'# pops o** an$+ in slo# "otion+ clans onto th'

ti"ing 'lt li' a as'tall o** th' ri" an$ t!"l's $''p into th' o#'ls o* th' 'ngin'

co"part"'nt)

,6oth'rGF h' y'lls+ his (oic' trailing o** in a s#irl o* #in$ '*or' h' can *inish his

s'nt'nc')

,Its o) I ha(' a co!pl' "or' in th' toolo=) I r'ass!r' hi" #ith a pat on th' sho!l$'r

'*or' racing ac to th' '$ o* th' pic!p)

,Nathar+ #hats th' %& on that stor"@ I as thro!gh "y h'a$ "ic)

Static cracl'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 $ont no#+ sir) H!$ging y o!r "oil' ra$ar#hich+ I sho!l$ a$$+ I $ont

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tr!stG th' sol$i'r pa!s's '*or' "aing his 'st g!'ss) ,.' ha(' ao!t 15 "in!t's '*or'

things start g'tting $ic'y)

I gra th' tool o= *ro" th' tr!c '$ an$ stop *or a split s'con$ to #atch th' stor") S!r'

'no!gh+ its a nasty on'th' larg'st I(' s''n o!t in th' op'nan$ *or a "o"'nt I *''l na'$) &

"'"ory o* an ol$ *ri'n$ *in$s its #ay into "y conscio!sn'ss+ his sin ripp'$ a#ay *ro" th' $!st

stor" h' *o!n$ hi"s'l* ca!ght in) I sh!$$'r) 6y s!a$ #ont s!**'r th' sa"' *at') h'y $ont

g't to $i' !ntil I gi(' th'" p'r"ission)

I s!at an$ op'n th' toolo=+ r!""aging thro!gh its cont'nts s#i*tly) S'con$s lat'r+ I"

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+ &;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)

ro" a !ic glanc'+ its a"a

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I no$ an$ rac' to th' ac o* th' pic!p) ,'t !s th' h'll o!t o* h'r'+ Nathar+ I say into "y

h'a$ "ic as I cli" into th' r!st'$-o!t '$ o* th' tr!c) h' 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$ $ay '('n i* #' can o!tr!n it) B!t I a" th' s!a$ l'a$'r+ an$ rising "y li*' co"'s '*or'

"y "'n rising th'irs)

I tap th' roo* o* th' ca #ith "y pistol an$ t!"l' to th' "'tal sin 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

anythingto ''p "' *ro" sli$ing aro!n$)

In s'con$s+ #'r' sp''$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' iny $arn'ss o* th' stor" clo!$ inching

to#ar$s !s+ an$ "y 'y's $art n'r(o!sly ac an$ *orth)

,Ao#s th' t'"p'rat!r' ga!g' looing@ 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) h' s"all

*rag"'nts o* poison'$ 'arth *in$ th'ir #ay insi$' th' ag'$ cotton an$ sting "y ar' sin)

,Aol$ing st'a$y *or no#+ oss+ &;a= r'spon$s)

& *lash o* lightning rips across th' sy an$ ill!"inat's th' stor" in its 'ntir'ty) or a split

s'con$ I s'' th' i"ag' o* a *ac'+ !t #h'n I lin its gon'nothing !t a *ig"'nt o* "y

i"agination) h' .ast'lan$s ha(' a #ay o* $'c'i(ing '('n th' strong'st "in$s) I(' s''n

sol$i'rs #ho ha(' ill'$ #ith th'ir ar' han$s+ only to ' ro'n y a night o!tsi$' th'

prot'ction o* th' isaian #alls) h'r' is no#h'r' to hi$' on th' $ry an$ poison'$ s!r*ac') No

('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$) hats th' "agni*ic'nt thing ao!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) i' a #hal' s!cing rill $o#n its g!ll't+ th' clo!$s h!ng'r

is !n!'nchal') h' hori

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r'at) No# #'r' lost) I cra#l to "y n''s an$ p'' o('r th' ca+ lining as #in$ p'pp'rs

"y goggl's #ith s"all ch!ns o* $irt) h' #in$-ra(ag'$ lan$scap' star's ac at "') It is

arr'n+ #ith not a singl' str!ct!r' in sight) I cant '('n r'"'"'r #hat grassy *i'l$s loo li'+ or

*or'sts) & "'"ory o* "y par'nts acyar$ tri's to cr''p into "y "in$ '*or' a p'a-si

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Ao# $o yo! thin I" $oing@ I" ao!t to g't sinn'$ 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$ onF

h' tr!c r'ars har$ to th' l'*t an$ rac's across th' arr'n gro!n$) h' h'at *ro" th' stor"

!rns '('ry inch o* '=pos'$ sin) I try to co('r "y ar"s y p!lling on th' coat+ !t its no !s')

h' #ar"th p'n'trat's '('n "y thic oots) I* #' $ont "a' it to ca"p soon+ I" 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) or a "o"'nt I

can pict!r' H!liana+ h'r sily lac hair an$ $ar ro#n 'y's) B!t a ;olt rocs "' ac to r'ality

as th' tir's cli" o('r th' top o* s'('ral rocs)

h' rocs "'an #' ar' al"ost to Ca"p Sal(ation+ t!c'$ $''p in a (all'y #h'r' a la' !s'$

to ') I $ont n''$ to p'' o('r th' ca to no# #h'r' #' ar')

I la!gh at th' irony+ co!ghing into "y "as) h' 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 $o#n on !s+ staling !s li' a pr'$ator across th' $'s'rt) I* #' $ont "a' it+ i* I"

s!c'$ into th' cyclon'+ "y sin ripp'$ *ro" "y on's+ I" going to ha!nt this plac') Not ;!st

'ca!s' o* ho# horril' "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 laor'$ as th' '$g' o* th' stor" *inally $'(o!rs !s) %('n th' *ilt'r cant

pro$!c' 'no!gh o=yg'n to ''p "y rain *!nctioning) arn'ss cons!"'s "'+ !t I" not s!r'

i* its *ro" th' stor" or lac o* air) Bright stars $anc' across "y (ision) h' tr!c tr'"l's an$

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 sin an$

cloth's)

& $ip in th' roa$) r ar' #' 'ing li*t'$ into th' air@ &ng'r) Con*!sion) arn'ss) A'at)

I clos' "y 'y's an$ $ri*t a#ay)

,i) .a' !p+ yo! son o* a itchF

Sil'nc')

ir' cra#ling across "y l'gs+ "y ar"s+ "y n'c)

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,!t it o!tF 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+ sh' says+ h'r ro#n 'y's locing #ith "in')

I grit "y t''th an$ try an$ sit !p) ain shoots $o#n "y ac+ an$ I i""'$iat'ly crash ac

$o#n onto th' rocy gro!n$ o* th' ca(')

,a' it 'asy+ 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$) ,o! g!ys s!r' no# ho# to c!t things clos')

I no$ an$ list'n to Nathar an$ &;a= ch!cl') I cant s'' th'"+ !t I no# th'yr' clos') I can

s"'ll th' stin o* th'ir $irt an$ s#'at)

,Ao# clos'@ I "anag' to cho' o!t)

,h' 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+ Nathar r'pli's)

I loo *or th' Spanish r'*!g'' an$ *in$ his ag'$ *ac' in th' corn'r o* th' roo"+ looing $o#n

at "' #ith '"pathy) ,&n$ h' sho!l$ ha(' clos'$ it '*or' #' got h'r'+ I say+ shooting hi" a

glanc' '*or' pain rac's thro!gh "y o$y again)

,It #as "y $'cision+ H!liana says+ h'r (oic' *ir")

I s"il' an$ catch h'r ga

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.*.

h' sy is gray !t cal") Nor"al) Its a r'li'*) I glass th' hori

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Tin Cans) Its a nicna"' &;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$' isaia+ 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'

'!ipp'$ #ith l!' night (ision goggl's that allo# th'" to *ight in th' "ost '=tr'"' con$itions)

h' n'on l!' glo# *ro" a Enights goggl's is not so"'thing yo! *org't) Its ha!nting) I no#

'ca!s' I(' ''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''

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.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$' #orl$) h' gat' is "a$' o* sal(ag'$ "'tal+ sol$'r'$ tog'th'r) h' 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 isaia+ 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 isnt a "att'r o* i!its ;!st a "att'r o* "#en)

h' on' thing #' ha(' on o!r si$' is n!"'rs) .h'n th' Enights ill on' o* !s+ t#o "or'

*ill o!r rans *ro" th' i"po('rish'$ ar'as o* ?ohania) or '('ry *ath'r ill'$+ a sol$i'r is orn in

his son) or '('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' isaian Stat' that aan$on'$ 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!' #aling 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('s "ain

cha"'rs) I can *''l th' strain on th' sin #ith '('ry stairth' sin str'tching+ th' thin lay'r o*

scas t'aring #ith 'ach st'p)

I pr''"pt H!lianas conc'rn'$ loos) ,I" *in')

S"il') No$) It $o'snt #or)

,o! sho!l$ stop an$ r'st) h'r' is ang'r in h'r (oic')

,ay) I no# 'tt'r to arg!' #ith h'r #h'n sh's "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) Its #hat "a's h'r a h'll o* a sol$i'r)

I prop "ys'l* against th' sharp '$g' o* th' rocy #all an$ loos'n th' li$ o* "y cant''n+

o**'ring h'r a $rin)

,o! *irst+ sh' says+ h'r ro#n 'y's oing !p an$ $o#n as sh' no$s)

h' #at'r is cool an$ sli$'s $o#n "y parch'$ throat !icly) or 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 $o!l's as a arracs an$ staging ar'a) &ll o* o!r

ri'*ings occ!r in this roo") I "an'!('r thro!gh th' $o

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$oor s'parat's th' t!nn'l *ro" th' "ain cha"'r) h' r'"nants o* r'$ paint str'as r'"in$ "'

o* th' pic!p tr!c #' !s'$ to g't th' sal(ag'$ $oor *ro" isaia to th' ca"p+ an$ 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$ crans it op'n "an!ally *ro" th' oth'r si$') h' r!sty

chain clans+ th' so!n$ 'choing o** th' roc #alls o* th' arracs)

h' 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 $ogs) h' i"ag' o* his g!ts po!ring o!t o* his sto"ach is still ingrain'$ in "y "in$)

h' n'=t cha"'r is *or *oo$ storag' an$ $o!l's as a rain gar$'n) .at'r tricl'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'$)

Its "y *a(orit' plac' in th' ca"p) h' $ril' o* #at'r is har"onio!s in a #orl$ #h'r' I" !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) ro" 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 sir"ish s'('ral y'ars ago+ an$ I cant s''" to

r'"'"'r h'r *ac') Its 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@ I as H!liana in a #hisp'r+ #atching th' girls sily lon$ hair *lo# $o#n h'r

ac li' th' #at'r*all sh's coll'cting th' sa"pl' *ro")

,Sasa) n' o* o!r n'#'st r'cr!its) S!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' isaian .alls) It so!n$'$ li' th'y ha$ ''n

'=pos'$ to th' 'l'"'nts *or s'('ral $ays) Sh' #as th' only on' #ho s!r(i('$)

h' yo!ng girl t!rns+ s'nsing o!r pr's'nc') Sh' has cool l!' 'y's+ ('ry chil$li') &n$ sh'

isnt "!ch ol$'r than on') Sh' is "ay' 14) A'r star' is lan+ hollo#) I(' s''n it '*or') Its

th' loo o* loss)

,I" Co""an$'r i+ I say+ '=t'n$ing "y han$ to h'r)

A'r l!' 'y's !icly $art to th' gro!n$+ an$ sh' "o('s ac ca!tio!sly to th' roc #all)

,Its oay) o! ar' sa*' h'r')

8/12/2019 Squad 19

17/36

&n$ li' a o" #ith a short *!s'+ h'r 'y's light !p an$ shoot "y #ay) ,I" not sa*'

any#h'r') Nothing anyon' $o's can chang' that) h' D $i$nt sa(' "y *a"ily+ an$ yo!

#ont ' al' to prot'ct "')

,I !n$'rstan$ ho# yo! *''l+ 'li'(' it or not)

,No yo! $ontF

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)

h' yo!ng girl plac's th' t!' o* #at'r onto a "'tal tal' an$ slo#ly #als "y #ay) or a

s'con$+ I" 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) ,S!a$ 19+ D+ sh' r'a$s alo!$)

,hats right) h' 'st th' ar"y has to o**'r+ H!liana a$$s *ro" 'hin$ "')

h' girl ignor's h'r) hos' 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'cl's on h'r s"all nos' 'gin to "o(' as sh' tals)

,I #ant to *ight)

h' #or$s ta' "' aac+ !t I cant say I" s!rpris'$)

I *''l H!lianas to!ch on "y sho!l$'r+ an$ I st'p asi$') I ha(' ''n $'"ot'$) Its proaly a

goo$ thing 'ca!s' "y ans#'r #o!l$ ha(' i""'$iat'ly ''n no) h'r' is no plac' in attl' *or

orphans #ith a $'ath #ish th'y ;!st 'n$ !p g'tting '('ryon' 'ls' ill'$) h'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"'$ay yo! #ill ' al' to+ !t *or no# #' n''$

yo! h'r' to h'lp th' ca"p *!nction)

,o! "'an to coll'ct #at'r@ sh' snarls) ,I$ rath'r ' o!t in th' .ast'lan$s than $o#n

h'r' in this $ar hol')

H!liana glanc's ac at "' *or h'lp) I" pro"ot'$ again)

,.' can *in$ yo! anoth'r ;o) So"'thing !p top #h'n th' #'ath'rs goo$+ I a$$)

,'ach "' ho# to shoot+ sh' r'spon$s) A'r 'y's glo#+ an$ *or a s'con$ th' '"ptin'ss is

gon')

8/12/2019 Squad 19

18/36

I h'sitat') I $ont "a' $'als #ith cra

8/12/2019 Squad 19

19/36

.+.

Nights ar' al#ays th' lon'li'st ti"' in th' .ast'lan$s) h' $arn'ss has a #ay o* "aing "'

*''l li' I" th' only p'rson #ho '=ists+ a singl' *ish in an oc'an o* lac #at'r) In isaia+ 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 !nia li' a Christ"as tr'')

,Christ"as tr''s) Aah+ I la!gh+ !t no on' is aro!n$ to h'ar "') I can still r'"'"'r on' I

ha$ as a i$) Sasa #o!l$nt '('n no# #hat Christ"as is 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* !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 $ont no# th' 'a!ty o* th' past any#ays) &t

l'ast th'y cant "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' sy) or a

s'con$ I $ont *''l so alon'+ !t th' trail o* light !icly *a$'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 its ti"' to ch'c o!t

th' p'ri"'t'r) I ring th' scop' to "y 'y's an$ glass th' hori

8/12/2019 Squad 19

20/36

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' no on' !n$'r th' ag' o* thirty #o!l$ !n$'rstan$ that phras') ,.hy $i$ yo! co"'

o!t h'r' to *in$ "'@

Sh' shr!gs) ,o! sai$ #h'n #' ar'nt !sy yo!$ t'ach "' to shoot) ast I ch'c'$+ n'ith'r

o* !s ha$ any #or to $o)

,I" #oring right no#+ Sasa) I" al#ays #oring) rying to ''p '('ryon' sa*') I point

to#ar$s th' .ast'lan$s) ,o! s'' that@ h'r' ar' ao!t a tho!san$ $i**'r'nt #ays yo! can $i'

o!t th'r')

Sh' t!rns !t r'"ains sil'nt)

,o yo! h'ar "'@ o yo! thin this is a ga"'@

,&ct!ally+ I $ont s'' anything !t $arn'ss) I $i$nt *in$ yo! o!t h'r') I *ollo#'$ yo!)

&n$ th'n it all "a's s'ns') * co!rs' sh' $i$nt *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$ s!''

8/12/2019 Squad 19

21/36

Sasa ics 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

8/12/2019 Squad 19

22/36

,.' !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'+ I r'ply)

,o! $ont g't it) I #ant to *ight+ li' yo!)

I sigh) h' 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' $arn'ss p!lls "' ac into th' ayss) I ;!"p to

"y *''t+ ignoring th' pain+ s#iping "y night (ision goggl's o** an$ #aiting *or th' orang' glo#

to *a$') h'n I glass th' $arn'ss #ith "y in*rar'$ scop')

,.hat is it@ Sasa ass in a #hisp'r)

,J!i't+ I r'ply)

h' hori

8/12/2019 Squad 19

23/36

&n$ th'n th' ho#ls 'gin again+ t'aring thro!gh th' night) h'y ar' clos'r no#+ an$ I can

t'll its a pac) I s#ip' "y night (ision goggl's ac on) No !s' trying to ' in(isil' no# its

'tt'r i* I can s'' Sasa+ 'sp'cially no# that I" con(inc'$ th' pac is h!nting !s)

h' ra(in' is only ao!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 isnt th' 'st option) B'si$'s+ r!nning #o!l$ only gi(' th'"

th' chanc' to ta' Sasa in th' $arn'ss) I $'ci$' its '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@ I as) A'r *ac' is still

glo#ing li' a night light+ gr''n an$ scar'$) I can s'' h'r lip !i('ring as sh' it's it)

,No+ sh' r'pli's)

a"n) hats #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) I" not lying th' #'apon is a cannon an$ #ill stop

anything short o* a 'ar $'a$ in its tracs)

&noth'r pair o* ho#ls r'as "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) h'

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)

,his isnt a toy) h'r' ar' only thr'' things yo! n''$ to r'"'"'r+ I say+ graing h'r

#rist an$ s!''

8/12/2019 Squad 19

24/36

6y *ing'r p!lls th' trigg'r ac instincti('ly+ s'n$ing anoth'r thr'' $ogs to th'ir gra('s)

h' $'a*'ning "i= o* y'lping+ gro#ls+ an$ 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'") h'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) h'

$og y'lps as its *rail o$y is torn in hal*) I grit "y t''th) #o "or' ;!"p o!t *ro" th' lacn'ss+

an$ Sasa *inally *ir's th' )45) h' 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') & !ic t#o s!''

8/12/2019 Squad 19

25/36

$og is alr'a$y li"p+ "otionl'ss) & #ar" sticy s!stanc' co('rs "y *ing'rtips+ an$ *or th' *irst

ti"' in $ays+ I s"il')

,Aoly shit) o! act!ally hit th' thing+ 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 its in yo!r *ac'+ 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)

Its har$ to t'll i* sh' is h!rt th' gr''n glo# *ro" "y night (ision goggl's r'('als littl')

,&r' yo! o@

Sh' t!cs th' pistol into h'r 'lt '*or' r!nning h'r han$s !p an$ $o#n h'r o$y) ,Not a

scratch+ sh' says+ a s"il' '=t'n$ing across h'r gr''n *ac')

I l't o!t a long+ laor'$ r'ath an$ th'n y'll+ ,his is #hy yo! cant ' o!tsi$'F

A'r 'y's $art to th' gro!n$+ an$ h'r lips p!rs') ,I" sorry+ I ;!st #ant'$ to l'arn ho# to

shoot+ sh' #hisp'rs)

a"n) i$ 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* $ogs@ oo$ thining+ i) /'ry charis"atic o* yo!)

,Sasa+ I" sorry) Its ;!stG 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' $arn'ss li' anoth'r pair o* #il$ ani"als)

,ang'ro!s+ 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 "') ,hans *or t'aching "' ho#

to shoot+ sh' says)

a"n) I no# Ill r'gr't #hat I" ao!t to say '*or' th' #or$s l'a(' "y lips) ,E''p it)

&n$ *or th' s'con$ ti"' h'r 'y's glo# to li*')

,&r' yo! s!r'@ sh' '=clai"s+ th' s"il' r't!rning to h'r *ac')

I grit "y t''th an$ crac a grin) ,'ah+ !t $ont "a' "' r'gr't this+ Sasa)

&s th' sol$i'rs 'scort !s sa*'ly ac to ca"p+ so"'thing t'lls "' I(' ;!st "a$' a ig

"ista')

8/12/2019 Squad 19

26/36

.,.

h' ('hicl' $'pot r''s o* Bio"ass *!'l) It has an !n"istaal' an$ p!ng'nt s"'ll) I ha(' no

i$'a #hat th' sci'ntists at isaia Corporation !s'$ to cr'at' th' *irst atch's o* th' li!i$ gol$

'*or' th' Bio"ass .arsaltho!gh I" tol$ th' s'cr't ingr'$i'nt is hyri$ 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 !icly r't!rn th' g'st!r') I

still ha('nt gott'n !s'$ to 'ing th' co""an$'r o* S!a$ 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) Its th' sa"' oyota that got !s

thro!gh th' stor"+ sp'cl'$ #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 '!ip"'nt an$ *ir'po#'r) &n$ i* th'r' is on' thing I $ont li'+ its

'ing li"it'$ y "y '!ip"'nt)

,Ao#s sh' r!nning+ &;a=@ I as+ approaching th' tr!c)

A' cli"s into th' $ri('r s'at an$ t#ists th' 'y) ,ist'n *or yo!rs'l*) h' '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'#+ h' says+ s"iling)

N'#) %=c'pt its "!ch ol$'r than h' is) I r't!rn th' g'st!r' any#ays+ cracing "y lips an$sho#ing a *'# t''th) ,.'ll Ill ' $a"n'$+ 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 "') ,'t "' ta' thos' *or yo!+ sir+ h' says+ no$$ing to#ar$s "y g'ar)

o I r'ally loo that ol$@ S!r'+ I(' ha$ a ro!gh night+ !t s!r'ly I can han$l' "y o#n

'!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+ I r'spon$)

,&n$ $ont l't anyon' t'll yo! oth'r#is'+ &;a= la!ghs) A's hol$ing his ch'st ar"or in on'

han$ an$ his assa!lt ri*l'+ '!ipp'$ #ith $o!l' ayon'ts+ in th' oth'r) & trial tattoo *ollo#s th'

!lging ('ins on his right ar" all th' #ay to '$g' o* his shirt) h' "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'

8/12/2019 Squad 19

27/36

#as gi('n y his *'llo# s!a$ "at's&;a=+ a*t'r th' #arrior in Ao"'rs$liadis "or' *itting

than any oth'r na"' in th' 'ntir' D)

,o! ar'nt going to say goo$y'@ a so*t (oic' *ro" 'hin$ "' ass)

I $ont n''$ to t!rn aro!n$ to s'' H!lianas glo#ing *ac')

,Its n'('r a goo$y') H!st a Ms'' ya lat'r+ I r'spon$+ 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

ao!t) !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$s+ I" r'"in$'$ 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$') ,I no# yo!r' !sy+ !t Sasa #ant'$ "' to gi(' yo! this+ sh' says)

& #a(' o* an=i'ty r!sh's o('r "') & gi*t@ I ha('nt gott'n on' in y'ars) 'opl' $ont gi('

gi*ts in th' n'# #orl$) .h'n yo! sa(' th'ir li*'+ th'y r't!rn th' *a(or) I" intrig!'$ an$

approach H!liana ca!tio!sly)

,.hat is it@

,Sh' $i$nt say) Sh' ;!st tol$ "' to gi(' it to yo!) o than yo! *or sa(ing h'r li*' last night)

.hich is anoth'r r'ason I a" h'r'+ i+ sh' says st'rnly+ h'r s#''t (oic' !icly *illing #ith

ang'r) ,.hat #'r' yo! $oing so *ar a#ay *ro" as'@ I tol$ yo! to r'st)

I roll "y 'y's) ,Sho!l$nt yo! ' asing h'r #hats#e#as $oing o!tsi$'@

,I #ill ta' that !p #ith h'r lat'r+ !t yo! ar'nt g'tting o** so 'asily) I $ont car' i* yo! ar'

th' co""an$'r o* this s!a$) Its ;!st anoth'r r'ason yo! n''$ to ta' car' o* yo!rs'l*) .' n''$

yo!+ i) I n''$ yo!G A'r (oic' trails o**) Sh' no#s sh's ;!st l'*t h'rs'l* (!ln'ral'+ an$ a

strong #o"an li' H!liana $o'snt li' to ' (!ln'ral') A'r *ac' chang's colors+ an$ h'r 'y's

$art to th' gro!n$)

or a s'con$ I" r'athl'ss) .' ha(' al#ays ha$ a conn'ction+ !t n'ith'r o* !s has '('r

act'$ on o!r *''lings) Sh's a gorg'o!s #o"an an$ a h'll o* a sol$i'r+ !t I $ont #ant to

co"plicat' th' chain o* co""an$) I a" h'r s!p'rior+ an$ l'a$'rs $ont sl''p #ith th'ir

s!or$inat's '('n in a ragtag ar"y li' th' D)

,&r' yo! going to ta' it@ sh' *inally ass)

I" still stan$ing th'r' staring at h'r li' an i$iot+ an$ I(' totally *orgott'n th' n'clac' in

h'r han$) ,'s+ sorry) I ;!st+ start'$ thining ao!t o!r "ission)

8/12/2019 Squad 19

28/36

,h' sal(ag' "ission@

6y 'y's ar' $arting ac an$ *orth+ an$ th' "o"'nt is no# o**icially a##ar$) ,'s+ th'

sal(ag' "ission+ I '=plain) ,.' ha(' to go thro!gh N!' /all'y+ an$ th' ra$iation al#ays

oth'rs "')

,.'ll $ont *org't yo!r gas "as an$ ?& $'t'ctor+ sh' says)

,N'('r $o) I s"il') his ti"' its a r'al s"il'+ an$ "y lips *''l l'ss pr'ss!r'$) ,So #hat is

this@ I as+ taing th' n'clac' *ro" h'r) h' sil('r chain has a cross on th' 'n$ o* it+ an$ I

i""'$iat'ly r'cogni

8/12/2019 Squad 19

29/36

.-.

hro!gh "y goggl's+ I can s'' th' ''rily opa!' i"ag's o* r!in'$ !il$ings+ shr'$$'$ an$ torn

y th' *i'ry last o* th' n!' that $'(o!r'$ th'") h' hori

8/12/2019 Squad 19

30/36

Its all I n''$ to h'ar '*or' I ta' o** r!nning to#ar$s th' hill) h' #in$ 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)

('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' $ra#n+ ca!tio!s !t '=cit'$) h' stairs

l'a$ to a larg' roo" *!ll o* "'tal tal's+ 'ach #ith pil's o* o='s an$ r!st'$ car parts)

,.'ll Ill ' $a"n'$+ I say+ pa!sing at th' otto" o* th' stair#ay) Its th' s'con$ ti"' I('

sai$ thos' #or$s to$ay+ #hich "'ans its shaping o!t to ' a lot 'tt'r than th' $ay '*or')

,('r h'r'+ Nathar sho!ts) ,his is #h'r' I got th' ra$iator *or th' tr!c a *'# "onths

ac)

,.hy th' h'll $i$nt yo! t'll "' ao!t this plac' '*or'@ I as)

,I $i$) o! #'r'nt list'ning)

I la!gh an$ r'st "y ri*l' against on' o* th' "'tal tal's) h' o='s ar' loa$'$ to th' ri"

#ith "'tal parts+ so"' r!st'$+ an$ oth'rs looing li' th'y ar' in p'r*'ct #oring con$ition)

,Ao# $i$ yo! *in$ this plac'@ I as+ p!lling a hos' o* so"' sort o!t o* on' o* th' o='s)

,&ct!ally+ I $i$nt) H!liana $i$)

I $rop th' hos' ac into th' o=) ,.h'n th' h'll #as sh' o!t h'r'@ I n'('r a!thori

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,iGthis is H!lianaG#' ar' 'ing attac'$ y th' Enights) A!rry acF .' ar'nt going

to last longF

h' *'ar in h'r (oic'an$ th' *act sh' is r'aing prop'r ra$io 'ti!'tt'shocs "' into

"otion) I" r!nning *or th' stairs '*or' h'r (oic' *a$'s) Its "y #orst night"ar') h' in Cans

ha(' *inally *o!n$ !s)

,Aol$ on+ H!liana+ #' ar' on o!r #ayF

h' 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 cant 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) I"

r!nning to#ar$s th' la''$ as *ast as "y l'gs #ill carry "') h' pain *ro" "y !rns shoots

thro!gh "y n'r('s li' a tho!san$ littl' ni('s staing "') I ch'c "y clip as I" r!nning an$

t'ar o** "y gas "as) I n''$ to ' al' to s'' th' in 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') Its nothing "or' than a $!n' !ggy+

s'ating only *o!r p'opl') It "!st ' a r'con party) or a s'con$ I" r'li'('$) I* it #as an 'ntir'

s!a$ o* in Cans+ non' o* S!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' rocy 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'" !icly) Nothing I can $o *or th'" no#) I $ont no# 'ith'r o*

th'ir last na"'s 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'n it so!n$s li' crying) &n$ th'n

#hi"p'rs+ "or' o* th'") I ta' o** r!nning $o#n th' hall) in Cans $ont cry) %('n i* th'y

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#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+ its on' o* "y o#n p'opl' in n''$ o* h'lp)

I slo# to a trot as th' arracs co"'s into (i'#) h' s"'ll o* s"o' cra#ls into "y nostrils)

& pair o* ha

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,ra hi"+ a (oic' says+ !t I" no long'r list'ning) I" hol$ing h'r tight'r an$ tight'r

'*or' I" $ragg'$ a#ay) I *ight th' han$s aro!n$ "y sho!l$'rs+ an$ "y *ing'rs scrap' th'

n'clac' aro!n$ "y n'c) inally I snap o!t o* it)

,&lrightF I y'll) ,B!t #' ring h'r #ith !s) Slo#ly th' han$s l't go o* "'+ an$ I car'ss th'

n'clac') h' gi*t that Sasa ga(' "' *or sa(ing h'r li*') I loo o('r at H!lianath' 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*'@ I as H!liana as #' h!rry $o#n th' t!nn'l ac to th' la''$)

,'s+ H!liana r'spon$s) Sh' stops in th' 'ntranc' o* th' ca(' an$ han$s "' "y )45) ,& gi*t

*or a gi*t+ 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*'+ I r'spon$ '*or' #' ta' o** r!nning *or th' 'scap' t!nn'l)

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Fo! "o!% abo# S/a$ 190 #h% ni2h#s an$ Tisaia0 ch%c' o# #h% n%& no3%l0 Th% Bio"ass

R%3ol#ion4An$ $on5# )o!2%# #o loo' )o! #h% o#h%! sho!# s#o!y0 A Royal ni2h#6

http://amzn.to/12U05ZShttp://amzn.to/12U05ZShttp://amzn.to/12U05ZShttp://amzn.to/14UP0F6http://amzn.to/12U05ZShttp://amzn.to/12U05ZShttp://amzn.to/14UP0F6

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Nicholas 'nt'r'$ th' #hirl#in$ o* s'l*-p!lishing in 2013 #ith th' gripping $ystopian thrill'r+

h' 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'$) #o pr'!'l stori's that $'tail oth si$'s o* th' r'(ol!tion,S!a$ 19 an$ ,&

?oyal Enight*ollo#'$ shortly a*t'r) Ais n'# s'ri's+ rs+ is a t'rri*ying an$ s!sp'ns'*!l sci-

*i acco!nt o* a sci'nc' t'a" #oring 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 anticipat'$ r'l'as' in cto'r 2013O) Boo II #ill ' o!t y th'ti"' yo! ring in th' N'# '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+ ,or'('r #riting so"'thing $i**'r'nt+ an$ h' stri('s to cr'at' !ni!' conc'pts)

.h'n Nicholas isnt #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$r'nalin' ;!ni' at h'art+ Nicholas '=plo$'$

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

al('ston+ '=as an$ !ll Iron"an in Co'!r &l'n'+ I$aho) In S'pt'"'r h' #ill co"p't' in

th' Ay-/'' 5150 National Cha"pionships in 's 6oin's+ Io#a) Ch'c o!t his log at

n(rstoptriing)t!"lr)co"*or *itn'ss an$ h'alth tips)

http://nvrstoptriing.tumblr.com/http://nvrstoptriing.tumblr.com/

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&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$#'st to rais' "on'y *or ani"al #'l*ar') oo *or hi" an$ his $og on th'

rac' sc'n' in 2014 an$ (isit th'" at2??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' $'gr''s *ro" th' Dni('rsity o* Io#a in olitical Sci'nc' an$ &"'rican In$ian

St!$i's+ an$ a gra$!at' $'gr'' *ro" ra' Dni('rsity in !lic olicy) &n a(i$ #rit'r an$ r'a$'r

his 'ntir' li*'+ Nicholas 'nhanc'$ his #riting sills y taing cr'ati(' #riting class's thro!gh th'

Dni('rsity o* Io#a .rit'rs .orshop as an !n$'rgra$!at')

A' li('s in th' 6i$$l's'= historic $istrict in his ho"'to#n o* 's 6oin's+ Io#a+ #ith his $og

B'lla)

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

h##78nicholassansb!y6co"

http://2rracing.org/http://nicholassansbury.com/http://2rracing.org/http://nicholassansbury.com/