fast times at fairmont high

7/30/2019 Fast Times at Fairmont High

1/31

FAST TIMES AT FAIRMONT HIGH

by VERNOR VINGE

[VERSION 1.1 (Feb 18 03). If you find and correct error in t!e te"t# $%eae u$date t!e &erion nu'ber by

0.1 and reditribute.

Firt $ub%i!ed in The Collected Stories of Vernor Vinge# 001.

*uan +e$t t!e %itt%e b%ue $i%% in an uneen corner of !i bedroo'. ,!ey rea%%y -ere tiny# t!e cuto'

creation of a %ab t!at a- no need for inert fi%%er# or !ando'e $ac+ain. /nd *uan -a $retty ure t!ey

-ere b%ue# e"ce$t t!at a a 'atter of $rinci$%e !e tried not to %oo+ at t!e'# e&en -!en !e -a off%ine. *ut

one $i%% a -ee+ a&e !i' t!e ede !e needed....

Fina% e"a' -ee+ -a a%-ay c!ao at Fair'ont *unior i!. ,!e c!oo%2 'otto -a ,ryin !ard not tobeco'e obo%ete and t!e +id fiured t!at a$$%ied to t!e facu%ty 'ore t!an anyone e%e. ,!i e'eter

t!ey ot t!rou! t!e firt 'ornin 4. 5i%on2 'at! e"a' -it!out a !itc!# but a%ready in t!e

afternoon t!e taff -a t-ea+in t!in around6 7rinci$a% /%ca%de c!edu%ed a $!yica% ae'b%y durin

-!at !ou%d !a&e been tudent $re$ ti'e.

/%'ot a%% t!e ei!t! rade -a $i%ed into t!e crea+y -ooden 'eetin !a%%. Once t!i $%ace !ad been

ued for !ore !o-. *uan t!ou!t !e cou%d ti%% 'e%% o'et!in of t!at. ,iny -indo- %oo+ed out on t!e

!i%% urroundin t!e ca'$u. Sun%i!t $i+ed do-n t!rou! &ent and +y%i!t. In o'e -ay# t!e roo'-a -eird e&en -it!out en!ance'ent.

7rinci$a% /%ca%de 'arc!ed in# %oo+in a dire and dri&en a e&er. e etured to !i audience# reuetin

&iua% conenu. In *uan2 eye# t!e roo' %i!tin 'e%%o-ed and t!e dee$et !ado- dia$$eared.

9etc!a t!e /%ca%de i onna ca%% off t!e na+edne e"a'. 9ertie ,odd -a rinnin t!e -ay !e did

-!en o'eone e%e !ad a $rob%e'. I !ear t!ere are $arent -it! 9i Ob:ection.

;ou ot a bet# aid *uan. ;ou +no- !o- 4r. /%ca%de i about na+edne.

e!. ,rue. 9ertie2 i'ae %ouc!ed bac+ in t!e c!air ne"t to *uan.

7rinci$a% /%ca%de -a into a %on $eec!# about t!e fatc!anin -or%d and t!e need for Fair'ont tore&o%utioni


2/31

e"a'. ;ou2%% !a&e t!e ret of fina% -ee+ to -or+ on t!e'. I2%% 'a+e t!e detai% $ub%ic %ater in t!i

ae'b%y. In enera% ter'6 ,!ere -i%% be an un%i'ited e"a'# -!ere you 'ay ue any %ea%%y a&ai%ab%e

reource

/%% right? 9ertie2 &oice ca'e oft%y in *uan2 ear. /%% acro t!e !a%% i'i%ar enti'ent -ere

e"$reed# a +ind of co''una% i!. 4r. /%ca%de2 dar+ feature creaed in a rare 'i%e. ,!at :ut 'ean -e e"$ect o'et!in

e"traordinari%y ood fro' you. ,o $a t!e e"a'# a tea' !ad to brin in t!ree ti'e tuition $er tea''e'ber. So e&en t!ou! t!ey cou%d ue any !e%$ t!ey cou%d recruit# 'ot tudent didn2t !a&e t!e 'oney to

buy t!eir -ay to a $ain rade.

,!e t-o concurrent e"a' -i%% o&er%a$ t!e uua% tetin in &iua% co''unication# %anuae# and

unaided +i%%. So'e of your $arent !a&e a+ed for 'ore concurrency# but a%% t!e teac!er fee% t!at -!en

you2re t!irteen year o%d# it2 better to concentrate on doin a fe- t!in -e%%. ;ou2%% !a&e $%enty of ti'e for

:u'b%e %ore in t!e future. ;our ot!er concurrent e"a' -i%% be 4i 5a!inton@ 7aty 5a!inton ca'e to !er feet# and *uan rea%i


3/31

9ertie %oo+ed faint%y 'iffed# t!ou! *uan doubted t!i !ad anyt!in to do -it! y'$at!y for 7aty.

/fter a 'o'ent# 4r. /%ca%de continued# 7er!a$ t!i i a ood ti'e to brin u$ t!e ub:ect of body

$iercin and dru. e a&e a %on %oo+ a%% around. It ee'ed to *uan t!at !i a!icao. o- can -e !and%e 'y ituation@ I2d rea%%y !ate to be e"cued fro' t!i i'$ortant $art of

t!e fina% :ut becaue I %ac+ a $!yica% $reence !ere in San Aieo. I2d be !a$$y to acce$t a %i'ited %in+#and do 'y bet e&en -it! t!at !andica$.

4r. /%ca%de nodded. ,!ere -i%% be no need# 4r. ,odd. ;ou are at a diad&antae# and -e2%% ta+e t!atinto account. 5e2&e neotiated a co%%aboration -it! t!e /nderen /cade'y at Saint >!ar%e. ,!ey -i%%

ndersen cademy at Saint CharlesO!# in I%%inoi# a !ort auto'obi%e dri&e for 9ertie. ,!e /nderen

$eo$%e !ad %on e"$erience -it! tea' $ro:ect... bac+ into $re!itory in fact# t!e t-entiet! century. In

$rinci$%e t!ey -ere far u$erior to Fair'ont# but t!eir acade'y -a rea%%y 'ore %i+e a enior !i! c!oo%.

,!eir tudent -ere e&enteen# ei!teen year o%d. 7oor 9ertie.

*uan $ic+ed u$ t!e t!read of 4r. /%ca%de2 $eec!6 ,!ey -i%% be !a$$y to acco'odate you. G%i''er

of a 'i%e. In fact# I t!in+ t!ey are &ery intereted in %earnin -!at our better tudent can do.

9ertie2 face t-ited into a taut 'i%e# and !i i'ae dro$$ed bac+ onto t!e c!air beide *uan. e 'adeno additiona% co''ent# not e&en $ri&ate%y to *uan....

,!e ret of t!e ae'b%y -a 'ot%y about c!ane in e"a' content# 'ain%y caued by t!e current tate

of outide reource e"$ert and tec!no%oie t!at t!e c!oo% -a i'$ortin for t!e nonconcurrente"a'. /%% of it cou%d !a&e been done -it!out t!i ae'b%y= t!e /%ca%de :ut !ad t!i t!in about faceto

face 'eetin. *uan fi%ed a-ay a%% t!e announce'ent and c!ane# and concentrated on t!e un!a$$y

$oibi%ity t!at no- %oo'ed o&er !i -ee+6 9ertie ,odd !ad been !i bet friend for a%'ot t-o e'eter

no-. 4ot%y !e -a u$er fun and an a'a


4/31

for t!e un%i'ited. *uan 'i%ed -ea+%y# and tried to ee' +no-in and ecreti&e.

9ertie to$$ed at t!e corner of t!e %a-n# -!ere t!e :unior !i! abutted t!e dri&e-ay and t!e e%e'entary

c!oo%. ,!e ei!t! rader carefu%%y +e$t off t!e %itt%e +id2 territory= you don2t 'e -it! fift! rader.

/%on t!e dri&e-ay# car -ere $u%%in u$ for tudent. Ao-n by t!e bi+etand# ot!er -ere de$artin on

bi+e and unicyc%e. E&eryone ee'ed to be %au!in and ta%+in and $%annin. /t t!e corner of t!e %a-n# *uan and 9ertie -ere a%% a%one for a 'o'ent. In fact# it -a *uan a%% a%one. For

an intant# !e conidered turnin off t!e conenu t!at 'ade 9ertie ee' o &iib%y !ere. Caray,-!y notturn it a%% off6 ,!ere. ,!e un -a ti%% bri!t and -ar'# t!e day ti%% fu%% of $rinti'e. 9ertie -a one# but

t!ere -a ti%% t!e ot!er +id# 'ain%y do-n by t!e bi+etand. Of coure# no- t!e fancy to-er of Fair'ont

Sc!oo% -ere t!e ordinary -ood bui%din of t!e o%d !ore yard and t!e $%acrete of t!e ne- c!oo%# a%%

bro-n and ray aaint t!e tan and reen of t!e !i%% around.

9ut !e !adn2t bot!ered to do-n t!e audio %in+# and out of t!e t!in air# t!ere -a 9ertie2 &oice# fina%%y

ac+no-%edin *uan2 e"itence. So# !a&e you decided -!o you2re onna tea' -it! for t!e %oca% $ro:ect@ ,!e uetion !oc+ed *uan into brinin bac+ fu%% i'aery. 9ertie !ad turned bac+ to face !i'# and -a

rinnin -it! ood !u'or a a


5/31

y caray!Gu@ 4i Stuc+u$ 7erfection.

;e# c2'on. See# !e2 a%ready noticed you.

9ut In fact# Gu and !er friend -ere %oo+in in t!eir direction.

Boo+# *uan# I2&e co%%aborated -it! a%% ort fro' Inte% enineer in eriatric !o'e to fu%%ti'e

'e'ber of 7ratc!ett be%ief circ%e. If I can do t!at# you 9ut t!at2 a%% &irtua%. I can2t -or+ed face to face -it!

9ertie -a a%ready urin !i' acro t!e %a-n. Vie- it a a tet of -!et!er you be%on on 'y un%i'itedtea'. 4iri Gu doen2t !a&e your# a!# uic+ne -it! interface# !e %oo+ed inificant%y at *uan. 9ut I2&e

been -atc!in !er. S!e 'a"2d 4. 5i%on2 e"a' and I don2t t!in+ !e c!eated to do it. S!e2 a -!i< at

%anuae. ;e# !e2 :ut a 'uc! of a nob a you t!in+. e!# e&en !er friend don2t rea%%y %i+e !er. 9ut

!e !a no $ecia% reaon to be !oti%e# *uan. /fter a%%# you2re no boyo. ;ou2re a 2-e%%ocia%ia%ifornia# t!e 'u%e ran t!e !o-.

4iria' turned to %are at !er friend# no- a bro-n!aired %itt%e En%i! -itc!. 5i%% you !ut do#n#

/nnette? ,!en bac+ to *uan6 9ut !e2 ri!t# Oro


6/31

;ea!# o+ay t!en. I2%% co'e o&er. There must be some #ay out of this.5!at -a 9ertie u$ to@

S!e too+ a te$ for-ard and !e%d out !er !and. S!a+e.

e reac!ed out and !oo+ it. ,!e %itt%e e%ectric !oc+ -a ure%y !i i'aination# but t!e udden burt of

infor'ation -a not6 t-o e'$!atic entence $ar+%in acro !i &iion.

4iria' Gu and !er friend turned a-ay# and -a%+ed bac+ a%on t!e dri&e-ay. ,!ere -a t!e ound of'uff%ed i%in. e -atc!ed t!e' for a 'o'ent. ,!e &ideoee+ -a oin fu%%ti%t# $icture and ound

fro' a 'i%%ion o%d 'o&ie and ne- torie. /nnette cou%d retrie&e and arrane &ideo arc!i&e o eai%y t!ati'ain ca'e a natura%%y to !er a $eec!. /nnette -a a ty$e of eniu. *r maybe there are other fla+ors

of little blue pills.

umboso.*uan turned a-ay fro' t!e' and tarted to-ard t!e bi+etand.

So -!at did 4iri Gu te%% you@ #hen she shook hands.9ertie2 tone -a caua%.

o- cou%d !e an-er t!at uetion -it!out ettin 9ertie di$$ed a%% o&er aain@ It2 trane. S!e aid if

!e and I tea'# !e doen2t -ant anyone re'ote $artici$atin. Sure# it isa %oca% e"a'. *ut !o- 'e t!e 'eae.

,!at2 t!e trane $art. S!e ueed t!at you -ere ti%% !anin around. S!e aid# in $articu%ar# if I !o-

you t!e 'eae or %et you $artici$ate# !e2%% find out and !e2%% dro$ t!e e"a'# e&en if it 'ean ettin an

F. /nd in fact# t!at -a t!e entire content of t!e 'eae. It !ad a +ind of nonneotiab%e f%a&or t!at *uan

en&ied.

,!ey -a%+ed in i%ence t!e ret of t!e -ay to *uan2 bicyc%e. 9ertie2 face -a dra-n do-n

dia$$ro&in%y. Not a ood in. *uan !o$$ed on !i bi+e and $eda%ed off on Ne- 7a%a# u$ o&er t!e ride#

and onto t!e %on do-n%o$e to-ard !o'e. 9ertie2 i'ae con:ured u$ a f%yin car$et# c%a'bered aboardand !oted a%on beide !i'. It -a nice%y done# t!e !ado- fo%%o-in $erfect%y a%on o&er t!e ra&e% of

t!e road !ou%der. Of coure# 9ertie2 faerie o&er%ay b%oc+ed a ood bit of *uan2 &iua% fie%d# inc%udin t!e'ot natura% %ine of i!t to ee rea% traffic. 5!y cou%dn2t !e f%oat a%on on *uan2 ot!er !ou%der# or :ut be

a &oice@ *uan !ifted t!e i'ae to-ard tran$arency and !o$ed 9ertie -ou%d not ue at t!e c!ane.

>2'on# 9ertie. I did -!at you a+ed. Bet2 ta%+ about t!e un%i'ited e"a'. I2' ure I can be a !e%$ -it!

t!at.$f you)ll %ust let me on the team.

9ertie -a i%ent a econd %oner# coniderin. ,!en !e nodded and a&e an eay %au!. Sure# *uan. 5e

can ue you on t!e un%i'ited tea'. ;ou2%% be a bi !e%$.

Sudden%y t!e afternoon -a a !a$$y $%ace.

,!ey coated do-n t!e tee$enin road-ay. ,!e -ind t!at b%e- t!rou! *uan2 !air and o&er !i ar'-a o'et!in t!at -a i'$oib%e to do artificia%%y# at %eat -it!out a'in tri$e. ,!e -!o%e of t!e

&a%%ey -a $read out before !i' no-# !a


7/31

*uan %au!ed. >%eanin u$ t!e net-or+ tra!# of coure? ,!e adet bro+e# or -ore out# or t!ey didn2t

et enou! %i!t to +ee$ t!eir batterie oin. ,!ey -ere c!ea$= ettin out ne- one -a eay. 9ut if t!at2

a%% you did# after a fe- 'ont! you2d !a&e 'eta%%ic arbae !ard# u%y# and enera%%y to"ic a%% o&er t!e

$%ace.

*uan abru$t%y to$$ed %au!in 5o-# 9ertie. ,!at2 t!e $ro:ect@ 9ioderadab%e net-or+ node@ ,!at2offca%e?

;u$? /ny $rore to-ard oranic node -ou%d be -ort! an /. /nd -e 'i!t %uc+ out. I2' $%uedinto a%% t!e ri!t rou$. it%er at 4I,# !e doen2t +no- it# but one of !i raduate tudent i actua%%y a

co''ittee and I2' on t!e co''ittee. ,!e it%er $eo$%e -ere cuttin ede in oranic ubtitution

reearc!# but :ut no- t!ey -ere ta%%ed. ,!e ot!er re%e&ant $iece in&o%&ed idea 'ar+et in India# and o'e

Siberian uy -!o !ard%y ta%+ed to anyone.

*uan t!ou!t a 'o'ent. ey# 9ertie# I bet t!at %iterature ur&ey I did for you %at 'ont! 'i!t rea%%y

!e%$ on t!i? 9ertie %oo+ed b%an+. ;ou re'e'ber# a%% 'y ana%yi on e%ectron tranfer durin oranicdecay. It !ad been :ut a i%%y $u


8/31

&aue -a&e a t!e boy ca'e in t!e roo'. ,!e !oue !ad a ood interna% net-or+# fed fro' a fi"ed tation

in t!e roof. *uan inored t!e fantay i'ae a%'ot auto'atica%%y. e !ad no $ecia% interet in +no-in

-!at 7a -a eein# or -!ere !e t!ou!t !e -a.

*uan ee%ed $at !i fat!er# into t!e %i&in roo'. 7a -a o+ay. Bui Oroounty# but in t!e cardboard !ac+ and dirt tunne%t!at !ad !id a'id t!e canyon in t!oe day. ,!e Oro


9/31

$at or on anot!er -or%d. So 4a -a afraid t!at *uan -ou%d end u$ t!e a'e -ay.'ut $ #on)t. hate+er

the best is, $)ll learn it, and learn it in days not years. nd #hen that best is suddenly obsolete, $)ll learn

#hate+er ne# thing gets thro#n at me.

4a -or+ed !ard and !e -a a -onderfu% $eron# but !er D11 buine -a... uc! a dead end.4aybe

God -a +ind to !er t!at !e ne&er rea%iertain%y *uan cou%d ne&er brea+ !er !eart by te%%in !eruc! a t!in. 9ut t!e %oca% -or%d uc+ed. San Aieo >ounty# de$ite a%% it !itory and indutry and

uni&eritie# -a :ut a 'icroco$ic $ec+ co'$ared to t!e -or%d of $eo$%e and idea t!at -ir%ed aroundt!e' e&ery 'inute. Once u$on a ti'e# *uan2 fat!er !ad -anted to be $art of t!at -ider -or%d# but !e !adn2t

been fat enou! or ada$tab%e enou!.$t #ill be different for me.,!e %itt%e b%ue $i%% -ou%d t!e difference.

,!e $rice 'i!t be !i!= o'eti'e *uan2 'ind -ent o b%an+ !e cou%dn2t re'e'ber !i o-n na'e. It -a

a +ind of eianada or

Euro$e. 4ot of t!e ot!er :ut -ent bac+ to t!eir %i&e e&en to o&ern'ent :ob but -it! &aryin

deree of bitterne. /nd o'e !ad !e%$ed fini! t!e -ar# and 'ade t!e o&ern'ent %oo+ &ery foo%i! in

t!e $roce.

e -a%+ed u$ t!e Gu2 dri&e-ay# at t!e a'e ti'e noo$in one %at ti'e for infor'ation on 4iri2

fa'i%y.... So# if 5i%%ia' t!e Goofu -an2t rea%%y 4iri2 brot!er# -!o -a !e@ 5i%%ia' !ad ne&er attracted

t!at 'uc! attention= t!ere -ere no ready'ade ru'or. /nd Fair'ont2 ecurity on tudent record -a

$retty tron. *uan $o+ed around# found o'e ood $ub%ic ca'era data. Gi&en a fe- 'inute !e2d !a&e5i%%ia' a%% fiured out

9ut no- !e -a tandin at t!e Gu2 front door.

4iria' Gu -a at t!e entrance. For a 'o'ent *uan t!ou!t !e -a oin to co'$%ain t!at !e -a %ate#

but !e :ut -a&ed !i' in-ard.

7at t!e door-ay# t!e treet i'aery cut off abru$t%y. ,!ey -ere tandin in a narro- !a%%-ay -it!

c%oed door at bot! end. 4iri $aued at t!e inner door# -atc!in !i'.

,!ere -ere %itt%e $o$$in noie# and *uan fe%t o'et!in burn !i an+%e. ey# don2t fry 'y ear? e

!ad ot!er c%ot!e# but t!e Oro


10/31

,!at2 notyoureui$'ent I tra!ed= I -a &ery carefu%. ;ou -ere carryin !itc!!i+er. S!e o$ened t!e

inner door and !er eture -ere udden%y $o%ite and raciou. ,!ere 'ut be ro-nu$ -atc!in.

/ !e fo%%o-ed !er do-n t!e !a%%# *uan rebooted !i -earab%e. ,!e -a%% beca'e $rettier# co&ered -it!

i%+ !anin. e a- !e !ad &iitor $ri&i%ee in t!e Gu2 !oue yte'# but !e cou%dn2t find any ot!er

co''unication $at! out of t!e bui%din. /%% !i eui$'ent -a -or+in fine# inc%udin t!e %itt%e e"tra%i+e 30 $eri$!era% &iion and ood !earin. So -!at about t!oe $o$$in ound# t!e !eat@ ,!at -a

o'ebody else)seui$'ent. *uan !ad been -a%+in round %i+e a foo% -it! a I> 4E in on !i bac+. Infact# it -a -ore t!an t!at. e re'e'bered aurin !i 'ot!er t!at !e -ou%d ee any friend !e brou!t

to t!e !oue. So'ebody !ad 'ade t!at a %ie. Fair'ont !ad it !are of unfunny :o+eter# but t!i -a ro.

5!o -ou%d do uc! a t!in... yea!# -!o indeed.

*uan te$$ed fro' t!e !a%%-ay into a !i!cei%ined %i&in roo'. Standin by a rea% fire$%ace -a a

c!un+y /ian -it! buo%one% in t!e Lnited State 4arine. / 4iri 'adet!e introduction# *uan noticed 4r. Gu2 finer ta$$in on !i be%t.

Oo$. Sorry? /%ice Gu2 4arine >or$ unifor' -a abru$t%y re$%aced by a buine uit. O!# dear.

/nd t!e buine uit 'or$!ed into t!e 'atron%y dre t!at *uan re'e'bered fro' t!e $!oto. 5!en !e

!oo+ !i !and# !e %oo+ed entire%y innocent and 'ot!er%y. I !ear t!at you and 4iria' !a&e a &ery

interetin %oca% $ro:ect.

I !o$e o.&ainly $ hope &iriam #ill get around to telling me #hat it is.9ut !e no %oner doubted t!at

4iria' Gu !ad traction.

5e2d rea%%y %i+e to +no- 'ore about it. 4iri $u%%ed a face. 9i%%? ;ou +no- -e2re not u$$oed to ta%+ about it. 9eide# if it oe ri!t -e2%% be

a%% done -it! it toni!t.

Huh 9ut 4r. Gu -a %oo+in at *uan. I +no- t!e c!oo% ru%e. I -ou%dn2t drea' of brea+in t!e'. /%'ot a

'i%e. 9ut I t!in+ a $arent -e !ou%d at %eat +no- -!ere you $%an to be $!yica%%y. If I undertand t!e

%oca% e"a'# you can2t do it re'ote%y.

;e# ir# aid *uan. ,!at i true. 5e

4iria' $ic+ed u$ 'oot!%y -!ere *uan !ad run out of -ord. 5e2re :ut oin do-n to ,orrey 7ine7ar+.

>o%. Gu ta$$ed at !er be%t# and -a uiet for a 'o'ent6 5e%%# t!at %oo+ afe.

4r. Gu nodded. 9ut you2re u$$oed to do t!e %oca% $ro:ect -it!out outide connecti&ity

E"ce$t if an e'erency co'e u$.

4r. Gu :ut ta$$ed !i finer t!ou!tfu%%y. *uan turned off a%% t!e !oue i'aery# and o'e to t!in+ of it# t!e ede of !i !and !ad fe%t ca%%oued# :ut %i+e in t!e 'o&ie. >o%. Gu %anced at !er !uband# nodded %i!t%y at !i'. S!e turned bac+ to *uan and 4iri. I t!in+ it

-i%% be o+ay# !e aid. 9ut -e do a+ a cou$%e t!in of you. Not!in aaint t!e e"a' ru%e# aid 4iri.

I don2t t!in+ o. Firt# ince t!e $ar+ !a no infratructure and doen2t a%%o- &iitor to $ut u$ ca'$in

net-or+# $%eae ta+e o'e of t!e o%d tanda%one ear -e !a&e in t!e bae'ent.

ey# t!at2 reat# /%ice? I -a oin to a+ you about t!at.

*uan cou%d !ear o'eone co'in do-n t!e tair be!ind !i'. e %oo+ed -it!out turnin# but t!ere -a

no one &iib%e yet# and !i &iitor2 $ri&i%ee did not a%%o- !i' to ee t!rou! -a%%.

/nd econd# >o%. Gu continued# -e t!in+ 5i%%ia' !ou%d o a%on -it! you.


11/31

&iri)s father 0o... the Goofus. 1g.

,!i ti'e# 4iri Gu did not debate. S!e nodded# and aid oft%y. 5e%%... if you t!in+ t!at i bet.

*uan $o+e -it!out t!in+in# 9ut... t!en 'ore diffident%y6 9ut -ou%dn2t t!at &io%ate t!e e"a' ru%e@

,!e &oice ca'e fro' be!ind !i'. No. Read t!e ru%e# Oro


12/31

t!ere# I ue you2d !a&e an ede.

S!e 'i%ed in a -ay t!at ee'ed 'ore $%eaed t!an 'u. ,!at2 -!at I fiure# too. 9y t!e -ay# it2

o+ay to ta%+ out %oud# *uan# e&en to arue. / %on a -e +ee$ our &oice do-n# 9i%% and /%ice are not oin

to !ear. Sort of a fa'i%y !onor t!in. S!e a- !i +e$tica% %oo+# and !er &oice !ar$ened a %itt%e bit. ey#

if t!ey -anted to noo$# your $ointto$oint co'' -ou%dn2t be any $rotection at a%%. ,!ey2&e ne&er aid o#but I bet t!at inide t!e !oue# 'y $arent cou%d e&en ea&edro$ on a !and!a+e.

O+ay# *uan reu'ed $ea+in out %oud. I :ut -ant o'e trai!t an-er. 5!at i it t!at you2&enoticed at ,orrey 7ine@

Bitt%e t!in# but t!ey add u$. ere2 t!e day t!e $ar+ raner +e$t it c%oed t!i $rin. ere2 t!e

-eat!er for t!e a'e $eriod. ,!ey2&e ot no con&incin e"$%anation for a%% t!oe c%oure. /nd ee !o-

durin t!e c%oure in *anuary# t!ey ti%% ad'itted certain tourit fro' >o%d S$rin arbor.

*uan -atc!ed t!e tat and $icture $%ay acro t!e $ace bet-een t!e'. ;e# ye... ye. 9ut t!e tourit

-ere 'ain%y &i$ attendin a $!yica%ity conference at L>SA. 9ut t!e conference ite%f -a c!edu%ed -it! %e t!an ei!teen !our %ead ti'e.

So@ 2Scientit 'ut be ada$tab%e in t!ee 'odern ti'e2.

Not %i+e t!i. I2&e read t!e 'eetin $roceedin. It2 &ery -ea+ tuff. In fact# t!at2 -!at ot 'e

intereted. S!e %eaned for-ard. Aiin around# I dico&ered t!at t!e 'eetin -a :ut a $ro$ $aid for

by Fo"-arner and a'ea$$enin.

*uan %oo+ed at t!e abtract. It -ou%d be rea%%y nice to ta%+ to 9ertie about t!i= !e a%-ay !ad o$inion

or +ne- -!o to a+. *uan !ad to u$$re t!e ure to ca%%out to !i'. 5e%%# I ue. I# u'# I t!ou!t t!e

L>SA $eo$%e -ere 'ore $rofeiona% t!an t!i. e -a :ut $uffin &a$or. ;ou fiure t!i i a%% a$ub%icity con$iracy@

;u$. /nd :ut in ti'e for t!e u''er 'o&ie eaon. ,!in+ !o- uiet t!e 'a:or tudio !a&e been t!i$rin. No 'yterie. No canda%. Not!in ob&iou tarted on /$ri% Firt. ,!ey2&e fu%%y fa+ed out t!e

econdtier tudio# but t!ey2re a%o dri&in t!e 'a%% $%ayer nut# becaue -e kno#t!at Fo"-arner#

S$ie%berCRo-%in# Sony a%% t!e 'a:or 'ut be oin after eac! ot!er e&en !arder t!an %at year.

/bout a -ee+ ao# I fiured out t!at Fo"-arner !a cine'a fe%%o-!i$ aree'ent -it! 4arco Feretti and

>!ar%e Vo. ho *h. orld2class biotech guys at Cold Spring Harbor.9ot! !ad been at t!e L>SA

conference. I2&e been trac+in t!e' !ard e&er ince. Once you ue -!at to %oo+ for# it2 !ard for a ecret

to !ide.

/nd 'o&ie teaer -ere ecret t!at #antedto be found out. /ny-ay# 4iri continued# I t!in+ Fo"-arner i $innin t!eir u''er eaon on o'e biocience

fantay. /nd %at year# a'ea$$enin turned 'ot of 9ra


13/31

4y 'ot!er# !e2 doin D11 -or+ for t!e'. *ops.>o'e to t!in+ of it# -!at !e !ad een of 4a2 -or+

t!i afternoon -a $robab%y $ri&i%eed.

4iri -a -atc!in !i' -it! enuine interet. S!e2 -or+in -it! t!e'@ ,!at2 reat? no-in t!e

connection -ou%d $ut u -ay a!ead. If you cou%d a+ your 'ot!er...@

I dunno. *uan %eaned bac+ and %oo+ed at t!e c!edu%e !i 'ot!er !ad $oted at !o'e. /%% !er deert-or+ -a under a tenday e'baro. E&en t!at 'uc! infor'ation -ou%d not !a&e been &iib%e to outider.

e c!ec+ed out t!e $ri&i%ee certificate. *uan +ne- !i 'ot!er $retty -e%%. e cou%d $robab%y ue !o-!e !ad encry$ted t!e detai%.nd maybe get some solid corroboration.e rea%%y -anted to $a t!i e"a'#

but... *uan !unc!ed for-ard a %itt%e. I2' orry. It2 under ea%.

O!. 4iri -atc!ed !i' $ecu%ati&e%y. 9ein t!e firt to dico&er a Fo"-arner 'o&ie etu$# a Su''er

4o&ie# -ou%d i&e Fair'ont t!e inide trac+ on tory $artici$ation. It -ou%d be a urefire / in t!e e"a'=

t!e i


14/31

S!e $ic+ed u$ t!e botto' !a%f of t!e e'reb# and dre- out a fine -ire. ,!i i a -ea+ $oint in 'y

$%annin. ,!ee batterie are -ay ta%e.

,!e o%e 'ay be dead any-ay. *uan2 o-n c%ot!e often -ore out before !e outre- t!e'.

So'eti'e a fe- %aunderin -a enou! to o%. Gu2 &oice -afted do-n t!e tair-e%%. ey? 5!at are you +id doin do-n t!ere@

4iri tood u$ and i%ed be!ind !er !and. Sudden%y !e %oo+ed about ten year o%d. It2 o+ay# /%ice?

S!e !outed bac+. I :ut# u'# dro$$ed o'et!in.

On t!e cei%in@ Sorry? I2%% be 'ore carefu%.

S!e -a%+ed bac+ to *uan and !anded !i' t!e o%e. See# !e aid. ard%y a cratc!. No- -e

u$$%y $o-er# S!e $%ued t!e -ire fro' t!e battery into t!e o%e2 !eadband. and you try t!e'

aain.

e %id t!e o%e o&er !i eye and $reed on. 4onoc!ro'e red -a&ered for a 'o'ent# and t!en

!e -a %oo+in at a trane# rainy cene. ,!e &ie- -a not -ra$around# :ut %i!t%y fi!eye. In it# 4iri2

face %oo'ed %are# $eerin in at !i'. er +in -a t!e co%or of a !ot o&en# and !er eye and 'out! %o-ed

b%ui!-!ite. ,!i %oo+ %i+e t!er'a% infrared# e"ce$t t!at t!e co%or c!e'e -an2t tandard.

;u$. ,!at2 t!e defau%t tartu$. Notice !o- t!e o$tic are bui%t ri!t into t!e ear@ It2 +ind of %i+eca'$in c%ot!e6 you don2t !a&e to de$end on a %oca% net-or+. ,!at2 oin to be a -in -!en -e et to

,orrey 7ine. ,ry o'e ot!er enor= you can et !e%$ by %idin t!e 2on2 button.

ey# ye?

M9/,6BO5 SENSORS 9/,6BO5

7/SSIVE />,IVE

VIS /47 O G7R N/

NIR O SONO N/

,IR O E>O N/ SNIFF N/ G/,EA VIS N/

/LAIO N/ G/,EA NIR N/

SIG N/M ,!e tiny 'enu f%oated in t!e corner of !i ri!t eye2 &ie-. ,!e battery -arnin -a b%in+in. e fidd%ed

-it! !i !ead band and found a $ointin de&ice. O+ay# no- I2' eein in fu%% co%or# nor'a% %i!t. 9ooer

reo%ution# t!ou!. *uan turned around and t!en bac+ to 4iri. e %au!ed. ,!e 'enu -indo- i fu%%y

bi


15/31

9e!ind t!e' -a one %at bo"# bier t!an t!e ot!er. 4iri o$ened it... and tood bac+ -it! e"aerated

atifaction. h so.I -a !o$in 9i%% !adn2t t!ro-n t!ee out. S!e $u%%ed out o'et!in -it! a tubby

barre% and a $ito% ri$.

/ un? 9ut it didn2t 'atc! anyt!in in6ane)s Small rms.

Na!# %oo+ under 2enor yte'2. S!e rabbed a %ooe battery and nued it under t!e barre%. E&en$oint b%an+# I bet t!i cou%dn2t !urt a f%y. It2 an a%%$ur$oe acti&e $robe. Ground $enetratin radar and

onora$!y. Surface ref%ection "ray. Gated %aer. 5e cou%dn2t et thisat a $ortin ood tore. It2 :ut too$erfect for offeni&e noo$in.

...It2 ot attac!'ent# too.

4iri $eered into t!e bo" and retrie&ed a 'eta% rod -it! a f%ared end. ;ea!# t!at2 for t!e radar= it fit on

ri!t !ere. Su$$oed%y it2 reat for co$in out tunne%. S!e noticed *uan2 eyein t!i %atet find and

'i%ed teain%y. 9oy...? ,!ere2 anot!er one in t!e bo". e%$ youre%f. *ut don2t try it out !ere. It -ou%d

et off a%ar' bi ti'e. In a fe- 'inute t!ey -ere bot! %oaded do-n -it! batterie# $%ued into t!e $robe eui$'ent# and

tarin at eac! ot!er t!rou! t!eir o%e. ,!ey bot! tarted %au!in. ;ou %oo+ %i+e a 'onter inect?

!e aid. In t!e infrared# t!e o%e -ere bi# b%ac+ bueye# and t!e eui$'ent &et %oo+ed %i+e

c!itinou ar'or# %o-in bri!t%y -!ere t!ere -a an acti&e battery.

*uan -a&ed !i $robe un in t!e air. ;ea!.8illerinect.Hmm.;ou +no-# -e %oo+ o bi


16/31

Syndrome:.O%2 5i%%ia' 'ut !a&e been a reu%ar &eetab%e before !i treat'ent +ic+ed in. No- !i -!o%e

ner&ou yte' -a rero-in. ,!e reu%t -ou%d be a $retty !ea%t!y $eron e&en if t!e $erona%ity -a

rando'%y different fro' before. ,!e t-itc!in -a t!e fina% reconnect -it! t!e $eri$!era% ner&ou yte'.

,!ere -ere about fifty t!ouand reco&erin /%

a !ardco$y 'edia nonraded tatu= at %eat t!at +e$t !i' out of $eo$%e2 -ay. 4iri !ad been tarin out t!e -indo-# t!ou! *uan !ad no idea -!at !e -a eein. Sudden%y !e aid#

;ou +no-# t!i i your friend 9ertie ,oad Vo'it. S!e $u%%ed an incredib%e face# a funubedec+ed toad

t!at droo%ed nice%y rea%itic %i'e a%% t!e -ay to t!e eat bet-een t!e'.

O!# yea!@ 5!y i t!at@

e2 been on 'y cae a%% e'eter# :er+in 'e around# $readin ru'or about 'e. e tric+ed t!at idiot

/nnette# o !e2d $u! 'e into tea'in -it! you not t!at I2' co'$%ainin aboutyou# *uan. ,!i i-or+in out $retty -e%%. S!e %oo+ed a %itt%e e'barraed. It2 :ut t!at 9ertie i $u!y a a%% et out.

*uan certain%y cou%dn2t arue aaint t!at. 9ut t!en !e udden%y rea%i


17/31

Or 'aybe 9ertie -a a ubconciou creation of *uan2 i'aination# and6uan-a a%% un+no-in

t!e 'onter. ,!i one -a 4iri2 idea. In a -ay it -a t!e funniet a%%# t!ou! t!ere -a o'et!in a %itt%e

unett%in about it# at %eat for *uan.

,!e car !ad turned onto i!-ay K# and t!ey -ere oin bac+ to-ard t!e coat. ,!ere -a 'ore rea%

o$en $ace !ere# and t!e !i%% -ere reen -it! a o%dedin of $rin f%o-er. ,!e ubdi&iion -ereone# re$%aced by 'i%e after 'i%e of indutria% $ar+6 t!e auto'ated eno'ic and $roteo'ic %ab $read

%i+e rayreen %it!o$# oa+in u$ t!e %at of t!e un%i!t.


18/31

;e# ye. e indicated a $ot on t!e round nearby.

/%% t!i ti'e# 5i%%ia' !ad been tarin into t!e +y. No- !e a&e a %itt%e tart and *uan ueed t!e uy

!ad fina%%y een *uan2 $ointer. / econd after t!at# t!e $ac+ae -a &iib%e to t!e na+ed eye6 a dar+ $ec+

!o-in an occaiona% b%ui! f%are# fa%%in i%ent%y to-ard t!e'.

It %o-ed aain at ten feet# and t!ey !ad a %i'$e of t!e caue of t!e %i!t6 do


19/31

t!e' into t!e $ar+# and i&e t!e' a rea% fie%d tet@ ;ou2%% be er&in your un%i'ited tea' at t!e a'e ti'e

you2re -or+in on your %oca% $ro:ect. No-# that)sconcurrency.

S!o&e off# 9ertie# aid 4iri.

e a&e !er a %itt%e bo-. 4y t-o 'inute are a%'ot u$# any-ay. I2' one. i i'ae &ani!ed.

4iri fro-ned at t!e e'$ty $ace -!ere 9ertie !ad been. Ao -!at you -ant -it! 9ertie2 dunba%%#*uan. 9ut e&en if t!ey2re tota%%y oranic# I2%% bet t!ey2re ti%% banned by $ar+ ru%e.

;e# but t!at -ou%d :ut be a tec!nica%ity# -ou%dn2t it@ ,!ee t!in -on2t %ea&e tra!. S!e :ut a&e an anry !ru.

5i%%ia' !ad $ic+ed u$ t!e !a%fcru!ed 'ai%in carton. 5!at are -e oin to do -it! t!i@

*uan 'otioned !i' to et it do-n. *ut %ea&e it. ,!ere2 a FedE" 'ini!ub in *a'u%. ,!e carton !ou%d

!a&e enou! fue% to f%y o&er t!ere. ,!en !e noticed t!e da'ae ta f%oatin beide t!e bo". Caray.It ay

it2 not air-ort!y. ,!ere -ere a%o -arnin about f%a''ab%e fue% daner and a re'inder t!at !e# *uan

Oroor$ ear# a f%a!%i!t -ou%d !a&e been e&en 'ore -e%co'e t!an t!e :ac+et. In o'e -ay#

5i%%ia' -a not a co'$%ete foo%. In ot!er...

*uan -a :ut %ad t!at 5i%%ia' !adn2t $u!ed t!e FedE" 'ai%er bac+ at !i'. *uan -ou%d !a&e beentuc+ -it! carryin it around a%% ni!t= t!e carton counted a to"ic -ate# and it -ou%d ure%y rat on !i' if

!e %eft it in an ordinary tra! can. O%2 5i%%ia' !ad been on%y 'i%d%y intereted in t!e breadcru'b but t!e

$ac+ae t!ey ca'e in# e&en buted# thatfacinated t!e uy.

,!e $ar+2 entrance area ti%% !ad fair%y ood connecti&ity# but t!e raner tation -a !idden by t!e

!i%%ide and *uan cou%dn2t et a &ie- on it. Lnfortunate%y# t!e State 7ar+ -eb ite -a under contruction.

*uan bro-ed around# but a%% !e cou%d find -ere 'ore outofdate $icture. ,!e tation 'i!t be uncre-ed.

On an offeaon 4onday ni!t %i+e t!i# a in%e D11 o$erator 'i!t be enou! to co&er a%% t!e tate $ar+

in Sout!ern >a%ifornia.

/ t!ey ca'e off t!e $at!# into direct i!t of t!e tation# t!ey a- t!at it -an2t i'$%y a ret $oint or

e&en a +io+. In fact# it -a an enc%oed office -it! bri!t# rea% %i!tin and a $!yica%%y$reent raner a

'idd%eaed uy# 'aybe t!irtyfi&e year o%d.

,!e raner tood and te$$ed out into t!e $udd%e of %i!t. E&enin# !e aid to 5i%%ia'= t!en !e noticedt!e !ea&i%y bund%ed for' of 4iria' and *uan. i# +id. 5!at can I do for you a%%@

4iri %anced inificant%y at 5i%%ia'. So'et!in a%'ot %i+e $anic ca'e into 5i%%ia'2 eye. e

'u'b%ed# Sorry# 4unc!+in# I don2t re'e'ber -!at you do at $%ace %i+e t!i. S2o+ay. 4iri turned to t!e raner. 5e :ut -ant to buy a ni!t $a# no ca'$in. For t!ree.

;ou ot it. / recei$t a$$eared in t!e air bet-een t!e'# a%on -it! a docu'ent6 a %it of $ar+

reu%ation.

5ait one. ,!e raner duc+ed bac+ into !i office and ca'e out -it! o'e +ind of earc! -and= t!i

etu$ -a rea%%y o%dfa!ioned. I !ou%da done t!i firt. e -a%+ed o&er to 5i%%ia'# but -a ta%+in to a%%t!ree of t!e'# eentia%%y !ittin t!e !i! $oint of t!e $ar+ re. Fo%%o- t!e in. No c%iff c%i'bin i

a%%o-ed. If you o out on t!e eaide c%iff face# -e #ill+no- and you #illbe fined. /re you &iion

eui$$ed@


20/31

;e# ir. 4iria' raied !er o%e into t!e %i!t. *uan o$ened !i :ac+et o !i eui$'ent &et -a

&iib%e.

,!e raner %au!ed. 5o-. I !a&en2t een t!oe in a -!i%e. *ut don2t %ea&e t!e batterie %yin around in

t!e $ar+. ,!at2 !e turned a-ay fro' 5i%%ia' and -e$t !i -and around 4iria' and *uan ,!at2 &ery

i'$ortant !ere# fo%+. Bea&e t!e $ar+ a you found it. No %itterin# and no net-or+in. Booe :un+ :ut $i%eu$# and -e can2t c%ean it out %i+e you can ot!er $%ace.

,!e -and 'ade a faint -!inin ound a it $aed o&er *uan2 :ac+et $oc+et.'oogers. $t must ha+egotten a ping back.4ot %i+e%y 9ertie2 $rototy$e didn2t !a&e a !ard offtate.

,!e raner !eard t!e noie# too. e !e%d t!e -and f%at aaint *uan2 :ac+et and bent to %iten. Aa'n

fa%e a%ar'# I bet. 5!at do you !a&e in t!ere# Son@

*uan !anded !i' t!e ba of dar+# bro-ni! ba%%. ,!e raner !e%d it u$ to t!e %i!t. 5!at are t!ee

t!in@

,rai% 'i". 5i%%ia' $o+e before *uan cou%d e&en %oo+ tonuetied. ey# rea%%y@ >an I try one@ e $o$$ed t!e ba o$en a *uan -atc!ed in -ideeyed i%ence. ,!ey %oo+

nice and c!oco%aty. e $ic+ed one out of t!e ba# and uee


21/31

on !i -earab%e. e b%ated t!e breadcru'b -it! one tartu$ ca%% after anot!er. 7art-ay t!rou! t!e

euence# t!ere -a a burt of &irtua% %i!t in !i contact. a!. ,!i one2 %i&e? e turned and cau!t u$

-it! 4iri and 5i%%ia'.

Good oin# *uan. For once# 4iri Gu ounded $%eaed -it! !i'.

,!e $at! -a ti%% -ide and andy# t!e nar%ed $ine !anin fit of %on need%e ri!t abo&e !i !ead and ri!t in t!e Goofu2 face. /'id t!e $ar+ tri&ia t!at *uan !ad do-n%oaded -a t!e c%ai' t!at t!i -a

t!e %at $%ace on eart! t!ee $ine e"ited. ,!ey rooted in t!e tee$ !i%%ide and !un on for year andyear aaint eroion and drau!t and co%d ocean bree2'on# aid 4iri. I -ant to et do-n near t!e botto' of t!e canyon. ,!e tair -ere tee$# -it! a !ea&y -ood rai%in on t!e dro$off ide. ,!e fo -a ti%% a $rob%e'# but

-it! ,IR# you cou%d ee out at %eat ten yard. Ai' reddi! %i!t f%oated u$ t!rou! t!e dar+# b%ob of

%i!t%y -ar'er air. ,!e botto' -a -ay do-n# fart!er t!an you2d e&er ue. e t!re- out a fe- 'ore

breadcru'b and %oo+ed bac+ u$ t!e $at!# at t!e beacon of t!e ot!er node. 5!at a bi


22/31

fe%%# unti% !e -a eein it &irtua% %ea' t!rou! o%id roc+.

e tudied t!e dianotic a 'o'ent 'ore. ;ou +no-# I t!in+ t!ey areendin %o- data rate &ideo

,!at2 fine. I2%% ett%e for -ire%e rate. 4iri -a %eanin out $at t!e rai%in# tarin do-n-ard.

but it2 not a for'at I +no-. e !o-ed !er -!at !e !ad. 9ertie2 Siberian $a% 'ut be uin

o'et!in rea%%y obcure. Ordinari%y# *uan cou%d !a&e $ut out o'e uerie and !ad t!e for'at definition ina fe- econd= but do-n !ere in t!e dar+# !e -a :ut tuc+.

4iri 'ade an anry eture. So 9ertie a&e you o'et!in t!at cou%d be uefu%# but on%y if -e $unc!out a %oud ca%% for !e%$@ No -ay. 9ertie i not ettin !i -arty !and on my$ro:ect?

Hey, &iri, you and $ are supposed to be a team here.It -ou%d be nice if !e -ou%d to$ treatin !i' %i+e

dirt. 9ut !e -a ri!t about 9ertie2 tactic. 9ertie !ad i&en t!e' o'et!in -onderfu% and -a

!o%din bac+ a%% t!e %itt%e t!in t!at -ou%d 'a+e it ueab%e. Firt it -a t!e enab%e$rotoco%# no- it -a t!i

cre-ba%% &ideo for'at. Sooner or %ater# 9ertie fiured t!ey2d co'e cra-%in to !i'# bein !i' to be a

!ado- 'e'ber of t!e tea'.$ could call out to him.i c%ot!e !ad enou! $o-er t!at !e cou%d eai%y$unc! -ire%e a far a net-or+ node in Ae% 4ar ei!t# at %eat for a fe- 'inute. Gettin cau!t -a a

rea% ri+= Fair'ont ued a ood $roctor er&ice but it -a i'$oib%e for t!e' to co&er a%% t!e $at! a%%

t!e ti'e. ,!i afternoon# 9ertie !ad a 'uc! a braed t!ey -ou%d c!eat t!at -ay.

amn you, 'ertie, $)m not going to break isolation.*uan re&ie-ed t!e 'ytery data fro' t!e

breadcru'b. ,!ere ee'ed to be rea% content= o i&en t!e dar+ne# t!e $icture -ere $robab%y t!er'a%

infrared.nd $ ha+e lots of kno#n +ideo $ can compare them to, e+erything that has been seen through my

goggles during the last fe# minutes!4aybe it -a ti'e for o'e 'e'ory 'aic# t!e ede !e ot fro' !i

%itt%e b%ue $i%%6 If !e cou%d re'e'ber -!ic! b%oc+ of i'aery 'i!t 'atc! -!at t!e breadcru'b cou%dee# and $a t!at to !i -earab%e# t!en con&entiona% re&ere enineerin -ou%d be $oib%e.... *uan2 'ind

-ent b%an+ for a fe- econd# and t!ere -a a 'o'ent of a-eo'e $anic... but t!en !e re'e'bered!i'e%f. e fed t!e $icture $ointer bac+ to !i -earab%e. It bean crunc!in out o%ution a%'ot

i''ediate%y. ,ry t!i# 4iri. e !o-ed !er !i bet uei'ae# and !ar$ened it o&er t!e ne"t fi&e

econd a !i -earab%e found 'ore corre%ation $i+e.

;e? ,!e $icture !o-ed t!e root of t!e bi $ine a do


23/31

bac+ to %oo+ o&er t!e dro$ off. Bet2 et oin.

,!e te$ ot e&en tee$er= e&entua%%y t!ey reac!ed a turn and -a%+ed on a%'ot %e&e% round for about

i"ty feet. ,!e ot!er ide of t!e ore -a %e t!an fifteen feet a-ay.

5e 'ut be c%oe to t!e botto'# aid 5i%%ia'.

No# 5i%%ia'. ,!ee canyon o a-fu%%y dee$ and narro-. 4iri 'otioned t!e' to to$. 4y darn

battery !a died. S!e fu'b%ed around beneat! !er :ac+et# re$%acin a dead battery -it! one t!at -a on%y!a%f dead. S!e ad:uted !er o%e and %oo+ed o&er t!e rai%in. u!. 5e !a&e a ood &ie- fro' !ere. S!e

-a&ed at t!e de$t!. ;ou +no-# Oro o%e !o-ed t!e $u%e2 bac+catter a %a&ender !adin on to$ of t!e t!er'a% IR. In

t!e day%i!t $icture t!at *uan !ad do-n%oaded# t!ee roc+ -ere -!ite andtone# f%uted and ca%%o$ed into!a$e t!at -ater or -ind cou%d not car&e a%one. ,!e 'icro-a&e re&ea%ed -!at cou%d on%y be ueed at

fro' t!e &iib%e %i!t6 'oiture t!at etc!ed and -ea+ened t!e roc+ fro' t!e inide.

/i' %o-er.

O+ay. e fired aain.

See# -ay do-n@ It %oo+ %i+e %itt%e tunne% cut in t!e roc+.

*uan tared at t!e $attern of %a&ender trea+. ,!ey did %oo+ different t!an t!e one !i!er u$# but I

t!in+ t!at2 :ut -!ere t!e roc+ i oa+in -et.

4iri -a a%ready !urryin do-n t!e te$. ,o out 'ore dunba%%.

Ao-n and around anot!er t!irty feet# t!ey ca'e to a $%ace -!ere t!e $at! -a :ut a tu'b%e of %are

bou%der. ,!e oin ot &ery %o-. 5i%%ia' to$$ed and $ointed at t!e far -a%%. Boo+# a in.

,!ere -a a uare -ooden $%ate $i+ed into t!e andtone. 5i%%ia' %it !i f%a!%i!t and %eaned out

fro' t!e $at!. *uan raied !i o%e for a 'o'ent and ot t!e dubiou benefit of 5i%%ia'2 %i!t6e&eryt!in beyond ten feet -a !idden be!ind t!e $ear%y -!ite fo. 9ut t!e faded %etterin on t!e in -a

no- &iib%e6 F/, 4/N2S 4ISER;.

5i%%ia' c!uc+%ed and t!en a%'ot %ot !i footin. Aid you e&er t!in+@ O%dfa!ioned -ritin i t!e

u%ti'ate in conte"t tain. It2 $ai&e# infor'ati&e# and $reent e"act%y -!ere you need it.

;ea!# ure. 9ut can I $oint t!rou! it and find out -!at it t!in+ it 'ean@

5i%%ia' doued !i f%a!%i!t. I ue it 'ean t!e ore et e&en narro-er furt!er on.

hich #e already kne# from &iri)s maps./t t!e trai%!ead# t!i !ad %oo+ed %i+e a &a%%ey# one !undred

feet acro. It !ad narro-ed and narro-ed# ti%% no- t!e far -a%% -a about ten feet a-ay. /nd fro' !ere.... Scatter o'e 'ore dunba%%# aid 4iri. S!e -a $ointin trai!t do-n.

O+ay. ,!ey ti%% !ad $%enty of t!e'. e carefu%%y dro$$ed i" breadcru'b -!ere 4iri indicated.

,!ey tood i%ent%y for a 'o'ent# -atc!in t!e net-or+ dianotic6 t!e $oition ueti'ate on one cru'b

-a t-entyfi&e to t!irty feet furt!er do-n. ,!at -a darn near t!e true botto' of t!e ore. *uan too+ a

breat!. So# are you e&er oin to te%% u -!at $recie%y -e2re %oo+in for# 4iri@

I don2tprecisely+no-.

9ut t!i i -!ere you a- t!e L>SA $eo$%e $o+in around@

So'e# but t!ey -ere 'ain%y out! of t!i &a%%ey.


24/31

GeeSA uy %eft# t!ere -ere 'a%% c!ane in t!e &eetation# 'ot%y

o&er t!i &a%%ey. /t ni!t# t!e bat and o-% -ere at firt 'ore acti&e and t!en %e acti&e t!an before.... /nd

no- toni!t -e2&e $otted o'e +ind of tunne% in t!e roc+. 5i%%ia' ounded 'ytified. ,!at2 a%%# 4iria'@

,!e ir% didn2t b%o- u$ -!en it -a 5i%%ia' a+in. Intead !e ee'ed a%'ot aba!ed. 5e%%... t!ere2conte"t. Feretti and Vo -ere be!ind t!e tri$ to t!e $ar+ in *anuary. One i into ynt!etic et!o%oy= t!e

ot!er i a -or%dc%a $roteo'ic ee+. ,!ey bot! ot ca%%ed to San Aieo a%% at once# :ut %i+e you2d e"$ect

for a 'o&ie teaer. /nd I2' ure... a%'ot ure... t!ey2re bot! conu%tin for Fo"-arner.

*uan i!ed. ,!at -an2t 'uc! 'ore t!an !e2d aid in t!e beinnin. 4aybe 4iri2 biet $rob%e'

-an2t t!at !e -a boy it -a t!at !e -a too darn ood at $ro:ectin certainty. *uan 'ade a diuted

noie# /nd you fiure if -e :ut $o+e around carefu%%y enou!# o%id c%ue -i%% !o- u$@ hate+er theymay be.

;e? So'ebody !a to be t!e firt to catc! on. Lin our $robe ear and yea! 9ertie2 dunba%%#

-e2re not oin to 'i 'uc!. 4y t!eory i Fo"-arner i tryin to to$ -!at S$ie%berCRo-%in did %at year

-it! t!e 'a'a 'onter. ,!i -i%% be o'et!in t!at tart 'a%%# and i o&ert%y $%auib%e. 5it! Feretti

and Vo a ad&ior# I2%% bet t!ey2%% $%ay it a an eca$e fro' a biocience %ab. That #ould certainly fit the

San iego scene.

,!e ne- breadcru'b !ad %ocated t!eir nearet nei!bor. No- t!e e"tended net-or+ !o-ed a

dia'ond!ar$ &irtua% %ea' cattered t!rou! t!e $ace bot! abo&e and be%o-. In effect# t!ey !ad t-enty%itt%e 2eyeba%%2# -atc!in fro' a%% o&er t!e canyon. ,!e $icture -ere a%% %o-reo%ution tuff# but ta+en

toet!er t!at -a too 'uc! data to for-ard a%% at once acro t!e breadcru'b net to t!eir -earab%e. ,!ey-ou%d !a&e to $ic+ t!rou! t!e &ie-$oint carefu%%y.

O+ay t!en# aid *uan. Bet2 :ut it and -atc! for a bit.

,!e Goofu re'ained tandin. e ee'ed to be tarin u$-ard. *uan ueed t!at !e -a !a&in o'e

troub%e -it! t!e &ideo *uan -a for-ardin to !i'. ,!in -ere oin to et $retty du%% for !i'. /bru$t%y#

5i%%ia' aid# Ao eit!er of you 'e%% o'et!in burnin@

Fire@ *uan fe%t a f%a! of a%ar'. e niffed carefu%%y at t!e da'$ air. ...4aybe. Or it 'i!t :ut be

o'et!in f%o-erin in t!e ni!t. S'e%% -ere a !ard t!in to earc! on and %earn about.

I 'e%% it too# 5i%%ia'# 4iri aid. 9ut I t!in+ t!in are ti%% too -et for it to be a daner. 9eide# aid *uan# if t!ere -a fire any-!ere c%oe# -e2d ee t!e !ot air in our o%e. 4aybe

o'eone !ad a fire do-n on t!e beac!.

5i%%ia' !rued# and niffed at t!e air aain. Trust the Goofus to ha+e one superior sense 22 and thatone useless./fter a 'o'ent# !e at do-n beide t!e'# but a far a *uan cou%d te%%# !e ti%% -an2t $ayin

attention to t!e $icture *uan -a endin !i'. 5i%%ia' reac!ed into !i ba and $u%%ed out t!e FedE"

'ai%er= t!e uy -a ti%% facinated by t!e t!in. e f%e"ed t!e carton ent%y# t!en reted t!e bo" on !i

+nee. Ae$ite a%% 4iri2 -arnin# it %oo+ed %i+e t!e Goofu -anted to +noc+ it bac+ into !a$e. e2d

carefu%%y $oie one !and abo&e t!e 'idd%e of t!e carton# a if $re$arin a $recie $o+e... and t!en !i !and-ou%d tart !a+in and !e -ou%d !a&e to tart a%% o&er aain.

*uan %oo+ed a-ay fro' !i'. Geez the ground #as hard. nd cold.e -ri%ed bac+ aaint t!e roc+

-a%% and cyc%ed t!rou! t!e $icture !e -a ettin fro' t!e breadcru'b. ,!ey -ere $retty unin$irin....

9ut ittin !ere uiet%y# not ta%+in... t!ere -eresounds. ,!in t!at 'i!t !a&e been inect. /nd be!ind it

a%%# a faint# reu%ar t!robbin. /uto'obi%e traffic@ 4aybe. ,!en !e rea%i


25/31

%o-in nout and a b%urry %e.

I bet t!at -a a fo"# aid 4iri. 9ut t!e $icture -a fro' abo&e u. Route u 'ore $icture fro' t!e

botto' of t!e canyon.

Ri!t. ,!ere -a e&en %e action do-n t!ere. 4aybe !er 'o&ie t!eorie -ere &a$or# after a%%. e

didn2t $ay a 'uc! attention to t!e 'o&ie a 'ot $eo$%e did and :ut no-# !e cou%dn2t do anybac+round reearc!. Au'b. On t!e -ay to t!e $ar+# !e !ad cac!ed a%% ort of tuff# but a%'ot not!in

about 'o&ie ru'or. ey# a na+e# aid 4iri.

,!e %atet $icture -a fro' a breadcru'b t!at !ad %anded in a bu! :ut a fe- inc!e abo&e t!e true

botto' of t!e canyon. It -a a &ery ood &ie-$oint# but !e didn2t ee any na+e. ,!ere -a a $ine cone

and# beide it# a cur&ed $attern in t!e dar+ and. O!. / deadna+e. Vie-ed in t!er'a% IR# t!e body -a a

bare%y &iib%e a a c!ane in te"ture. Or 'aybe it2 :ut a !ed +in.

,!ere are trac+ a%% around it# aid 4iri. I t!in+ t!ey2re 'oue trac+. *uan ran t!e i'ae t!rou! o'e fi%ter# and $u%%ed u$ a !a%f do


26/31

/ detai%. S!e -a a%ready 'o&in do-n t!e trai%. ,!e ti'in -ou%d be $erfect. ,!e co$yri!t on t!e

econd re'a+e :ut %a$ed. /nd did you ee !o- realt!oe t!in %oo+ed@ L$ ti%% a fe- 'ont! ao# you

cou%dn2t 'a+e ani'atronic t!at ood.

4aybe t!ey arerea%@ aid 5i%%ia'.

;ou 'ean %i+e trained 'ice@ 4aybe. /t %eat for $art of t!e !o-. ,!e %atet $icture !o-ed co%d dar+ne. ,!e i'ain e%e'ent 'ut be $ointin into t!e dirt.

,!ey c%i'bed do-n and do-n# tryin t!eir bet not to 'a+e noie. 4aybe it didn2t 'atter= t!e urf ound-a 'uc! %ouder !ere. In any cae# t!e fa+e 'ice -ere ti%% ro%%in a%on t!eir to%en breadcru'b.

9ut -!i%e t!e t!ree !u'an -ere 'o&in 'ain%y do-n-ard# t!e breadcru'b !ad 'o&ed !ori to t!e recue.

,!ey tra&ered t!e c!a'ber fro' one narro-ne to t!e ot!er. 5!en t!ey $ut t!e G7R nout of t!e un

ri!t u$ to t!e roc+# t!e %a&ender ec!ora' -ere much'ore detai%ed t!an before. ,!ere rea%%y -eretunne%# 'ouei


27/31

9ut t!ey didn2t need a f%a!%i!t to ee -!at 5i%%ia' !ad dico&ered. ,!e ede of t!e $at!# -!ic! !ou%d

!a&e been b%ac+ and co%d# -a a di' red# a redne t!at $read acro t!e roc+ face %i+e -eird# u$-ard

dri$$in b%ood.

4iri dro$$ed f%at and $o+ed around -!ere t!e !eat red -a bri!tet. a. I ot 'y finer into

o'et!in? >an2t find an end to it. S!e $u%%ed bac+... and a $%u'e of orane fo%%o-ed !er !and and t!endrifted u$# it co%or coo%in to red a it -e%%ed and roe abo&e t!e'.

,!ere -a t!e faint 'e%% of burnin -ood. For a 'o'ent# t!ey :ut tared at eac! ot!er# t!e bi b%ac+ o%e eye a true ref%ection of t!eir inner

!oc+.

No 'ore -ar' air roe fro' t!e !o%e. 5e 'ut !a&e found an indraft# 5i%%ia' aid.

9ot! 4iri and *uan -ere on t!eir +nee no-. ,!ey %oo+ed carefu%%y# but t!e o%e didn2t !a&e t!e

reo%ution to %et t!e' ee t!e !o%e c%ear%y it -a i'$%y a $ot t!at %o-ed a bit redder t!an anyt!in e%e.

Le t!e un# *uan. e $robed t!e roc+ abo&e t!e !o%e and on eit!er ide. ,!e tiny $aae e"tended t-o feet do-n fro' t!e

entrance# branc!in e&era% ti'e before it reac!ed t!e 'ain net-or+ of tunne% and c!a'ber.

So -!at !a$$ened to t!e dunba%% t!ey rabbed@ It -ou%d be nice to et o'e $icture fro' in t!ere.

*uan !rued# and fed !i $robe un ti%% anot!er battery. ,!ey 'ut !a&e it in one of t!e fart!er

c!a'ber# be!ind e&era% feet of roc+. ,!e cru'b doen2t !a&e t!e $o-er to et t!rou! t!at.

*uan and 4iri %oo+ed at eac! ot!er# and %au!ed. 9ut -e !a&e %ot 'ore breadcru'b? *uan fe%t

around for t!e entrance !o%e and ro%%ed a cru'b into it. It %it u$ about i" inc!e do-n# :ut $at t!e firt

tunne% branc!. ,ry anot!er.

*uan tudied t!e tunne% %ayout for a 'o'ent. If I t!ro- one in :ut ri!t# I bet I can caro' it a cou$%e offeet. ,!e cru'b2 %i!t dia$$eared for a 'o'ent... and t!en a$$eared a data for-arded &ia t!e firt one.

(es!

Sti%% no -ord fro' t!e one t!ey to%e# aid 4iri. ,!ere -ere :ut t!e t-o %ocator %ea'# about i"

inc!e and t!irtyi" inc!e do-n t!eir re$ecti&e tunne%.

*uan touc!ed t!e un !ere and t!ere to t!e roc+ face. 5it! t!e G7R at !i! $o-er# !e cou%d $robe

t!rou! a %ot of andtone. o- 'uc! cou%d !e fiure out fro' -!at ca'e bac+@ I t!in+ I can refine t!i

e&en 'ore# !e aid. ,!ou! t!at -ou%d ure%y 'a+e 4iri u$iciou. ,!at t!ird for+ in t!e tunne%.

So'et!in... oft... i b%oc+in it. / bri!t%y ref%ectin $%otc!# co'in %o-%y to-ard t!e'. It %oo+ %i+e a 'oue.

;ea!. /nd it2 'o&in bet-een t-o breadcru'b# effecti&e%y a t-otation -ire%e to'ora$!.

&aybe $ can combine it all.For a 'o'ent# *uan2 -!o%e uni&ere -a t!e $rob%e' of 'e!in t!ebreadcru'b to'ora$!y -it! t!e G7R bac+catter. ,!e i'ae !o-ed 'ore and 'ore detai%. e b%an+ed

out for a :ut a econd# and for a 'o'ent after t!at forot to be cautiou.

It -a a 'oue a%% ri!t. It -a facin u$ t!e tunne%# to-ard t!e entrance t!e t!ree !u'an -ere

-atc!in. ,!ey cou%d e&en ee it ut# and t!e !arder area t!at -ere +u%% and rib and %i'b. ,!ere -a

o'et!in tuc+ in it fore$a-. ,!e -!o%e t!in %oo+ed %i+e o'e c!ea$ ra$!ic tric+. ,oo bad 4iri didn2t ta+e it t!at -ay. O+ay? I2&e

had it-it! you# *uan? One $eron cou%d ne&er -or+ t!at fat. ;ou doormat!;ou %et 9ertie and !i

co''ittee

onet# 4iri# I did t!i 'ye%f? aid *uan# defendin -!ere !e !ou%d not defend.

5e2re ettin an F on account of you# and 9ertie -i%% o-n a%% of t!i?

5i%%ia' !ad been -atc!in -it! t!e a'e detac!'ent a durin 4iri2 ear%ier accuation. 9ut t!i ti'e6

I ee t!e $icture# 4unc!+in# but... I don2t t!in+ !e2 %yin. I t!in+ !e did it !i'e%f.

9ut 5i%%ia' turned to *uan# ;ou2re on dru# aren2t you# +id@ !e aid 'i%d%y.

*nce a secret is outed22 No?&ake the accusation look absurd.9ut *uan f%oundered# -ord%e.

For an intant# 4iri tared o$en'out!ed. /nd t!en !e did o'et!in t!at *uan t!ou!t about a %ot in

t!e ti'e t!at fo%%o-ed. S!e raied !er !and# $a%' out# tryin to i%ence t!e' bot!.

5i%%ia' 'i%ed ent%y. 4iria'# don2t -orry. I don2t t!in+ Fo"-arner i $atc!in u into t!eir u''er

re%eae. I don2t t!in+ anyone but u +no- -!at -e2re ayin !ere at t!e botto' of a canyon in t!ic+ fo.

S!e %o-%y %o-ered !er !and. 9ut... 5i%%ia'. S!e -a&ed at t!e -ar't! t!at $read u$ t!e roc+ face.

None of t!i cou%d be natura%.


28/31

9ut -!at +ind of unnatura% i it# 4unc!+in@ Boo+ at t!e $icture your friend *uan :ut 'ade. ;ou can

ee t!e inide of t!e 'oue. It2 not ani'atronic. 5i%%ia' ran a t-itc!y !and t!rou! !i !air. I t!in+

o'ebody in t!e biocience %ab !ereabout rea%%y did !a&e an accident. 4aybe t!ee creature aren2t a

'art a !u'an... but t!ey -ere 'art enou! to eca$e# and foo% -!o -a it t!at -a $o+in around

!ere in *anuary@ Feretti and Vo# 4iri aid in a 'a%% &oice.

;e. 4aybe :ut !idin do-n !ere -!en t!e botto' -a under -ater -a enou! to foo% t!e'. I2%% bett!ee creature !a&e :ut a %itt%e ede o&er ordinary %ab 'ice. 9ut a %itt%e ede can be enou! to c!ane t!e

-or%d.

/nd *uan rea%i


29/31

5e cou%d %oe t!e'# too.

*uan $u!ed $at 5i%%ia'# and toed t-o 'ore breadcru'b do-n t!e !o%e. One ro%%ed a ood t!ree

feet. ,!e ot!er to$$ed after i" inc!e and t!en bean 'o&in on it o-n.

,!e 'ice are trinin nodeforu? /%% but t!e fart!et %ocator beacon -ere %o-in !i!rate bri!t.

No- t!ere -ere %ot of $icture# but t!e ua%ity -a $oor. / t!e cru'b -ar'ed in t!e !ot air of t!etunne%# t!e i'ae !o-ed &ery %itt%e detai% e"ce$t for t!e 'ice t!e'e%&e6 $a- and nout and %o-in

eye. ey# did you ee t!e $%inter tic+in out of t!at $oor t!in2 $a-@ ;e# I t!in+ t!at2 t!e one I a- before. 5ait# -e2re ettin a $icture fro' t!e cru'b t!ey to%e to bein

-it!. /t firt# t!e data -a a :u'b%e. Still another picture formatNot e"act%y. ,!i $icture i nor'a%

&iion# 4iri? e fini!ed t!e tranfor'ation.

o- @ ,!en !e a&e a !ar$ %itt%e a$.

,!ere -a no ca%e 'ar+er# but t!e c!a'ber cou%dn2t !a&e been 'ore t!an a cou$%e of feet acro. ,o t!e

eye of t!e breadcru'b it -a a -ide# !i!cei%ined 'eetin roo'# cro-ded -it! do


30/31

t!e'# but t!ey !ad a%ready f%ed do-n t!e $at!# ocean-ard. S!e $ic+ed !ere%f u$ and %oo+ed at 5i%%ia'.

o- 'any did you et@

Four? ,!e %itt%e uy -ere in uc! a ru! t!ey :ut :u'$ed out at 'e. e !e%d t!e 'ai%er c%oe. *uan

cou%d !ear tiny t!u'$in noie fro' inide it.

,!at2 reat# aid 4iri. 7!yica% e&idence? 5i%%ia' didn2t re$%y. e :ut tood t!ere# tarin at t!e carton. /bru$t%y !e turned and -a%+ed a %itt%e

-ay u$ t!e trai%# to -!ere t!e $at! -idened out and t!e bru! and $ine didn2t co&er t!e +y. I2' orry#4iria'. e toed t!e 'ai%er !i! into t!e air.

,!e bo" -a a%'ot in&iib%e for a 'o'ent# and t!en it rin of :et %it u$. ,iny# -!ite!ot $i+e of %i!t

traced t!e 'ai%er2 $at! a it -obb%ed and -oo$ed -it!in a foot of t!e roc+ -a%%. It reco&ered# and %o-%y

c%i'bed# ti%% -obb%in. *uan cou%d i'aine four &ery %i&e caro ite' careenin around inide it. Si%ent to

!u'an ear# t!e 'ai%er roe and roe# :et di''in in t!e fo. ,!e %i!t -a a $a%e 'ude -!en it drifted

out of i!t be!ind t!e canyon -a%%. 4iri tood# !er ar' reac!in out a if $%eadin. Grandfat!er# #hy

For a 'o'ent# 5i%%ia' Gu2 !ou%der %u'$ed. ,!en !e %oo+ed acro at *uan. I bet you +no-# don2t

you# +id@

*uan tared in t!e direction t!e 'ai%er !ad ta+en. Four 'ice# ratt%in around in a !a%fbro+en 'ai%er. e

!ad no idea :ut no- -!at ecurity -a %i+e at t!e FedE" 'ini!ub# but it -a at t!e ede of t!e bac+

country# -!ere t!e 'ai% %aunc!er didn2t caue 'uc! co'$%aint. Out beyond *a'u%... t!e 'ice cou%d !a&e

t!eir c!ance in t!e -or%d. e %oo+ed bac+ at 5i%%ia' and :ut a&e a in%e uic+ nod.

,!ere -a &ery %itt%e ta%+ a t!ey c%i'bed bac+ out of t!e canyon. Near t!e to$# t!e $at! -a -ide and

ent%e. 4iri and 5i%%ia' -a%+ed !and in !and. ,!ere -ere $atter of co%dne on !er face t!at 'i!t !a&e

been tear# but t!ere -a no ua&er in !er &oice. If t!e 'ice are rea%# -e2&e done a terrib%e t!in# 5i%%ia'.

4aybe. I2' orry# 4iria'.

...9ut I don2t t!in+ t!ey are rea%# 5i%%ia'. 5i%%ia' 'ade no re$%y. /fter a 'o'ent# 4iri aid# ;ou +no- -!y@ Boo+ at t!at firt $icture -e ot

fro' t!e 'oue 'eetin !a%%. It2 :ut too $erfect%y dra'atic. ,!e c!a'ber doen2t !a&e furniture or -a%%

decoration# but it c%ear%y isa 'eetin !a%%. Boo+ !o- a%% t!e 'ice are $oitioned# %i+e !u'an at an o%d

to-n 'eetin. /nd t!en at t!e center

*uan2 eye roa'ed t!e $icture a !e $o+e. ;e. ,!ere in t!e center a%'ot at t!ou! t!ey -ere on

tae tood t!ree %are -!ite 'ice. ,!e biet one !ad reared u$ a it %oo+ed at t!e i'aer. It !ad one

$a- e"tended... and t!e $a- ra$ed o'et!in !ar$ and %on. ,!ey !ad een t!in %i+e t!at in ot!er

$icture and ne&er uite fiured t!e' out. In t!i natura%%i!t $icture# t!e too% a $ear@ -aun'ita+ab%e.

4iri continued on# See# t!at2 t!e ti$off# Fo"-arner2 %itt%e :o+e. / rea%# natura% brea+t!rou! in ani'a%

inte%%ience -ou%d ne&er be uc! a $erfect mo+ie poster. So. Bater toni!t# *uan and I -i%% turn in our %oca%

tea' re$ort# and Fo"-arner -i%% 2fe u$. 9y dinnerti'e at t!e %atet# -e2%% be fa'ou.

nd my o#n little secret #ill be outed.

4iri 'ut !a&e undertood *uan2 i%ence. S!e reac!ed out and too+ !i !and# drain t!e t!ree of t!e'

c%oe toet!er. Boo+# !e aid oft%y. 5e don2t +no- -!at if anyt!in Fo"-arner recorded of u.

E&en no-# -e2re in t!ic+ fo. E"ce$t for t!e 'ice t!e'e%&e# our ear a- no enor. So eit!er

Fo"-arner i i'$oib%y ood# or t!ey -eren2t c%oe noo$in u. S!e etured u$ t!e $at!. No- in a fe-

'ore 'inute -e2%% be bac+ in t!e -ide -or%d. 9ertie and 'aybe Fo"-arner -i%% be -i$in around. 9ut no'atter #hatyou t!in+ rea%%y !a$$ened toni!t !er &oice trai%ed off....

/nd *uan fini!ed# no 'atter -!at rea%%y !a$$ened# -e2re a%% bet to +ee$ our 'out! !ut about

certain t!in. S!e nodded.

9ertie fo%%o-ed *uan !o'e fro' 4iri2 !oue# aruin# -!eed%in# de'andin a%% t!e -ay. e -anted to

+no- -!at 4iri !ad been u$ to# -!at a%% t!ey !ad done and een. 5!en *uan -ou%dn2t i&e !i' 'ore t!an

t!e enineerin data fro' t!e dunba%%# 9ertie !ad ot fu%%y di$$ed# +ic+ed *uan off t!eir un%i'ited tea'#

and re:ected a%% connection. It -a a tota% Free


31/31

roo'. ,!en !e re'e'bered6 9ertie2 tota% Free

fast times at fairmont high

Documents