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Four

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—-

I DECIDED TO MAKE AN appearance just before the scout crew was due to depart for Vandor, and personally verify the preparations. I spotted movement inside the communication center of the hangar, a full two hours before anyone was supposed to be here. Very odd, I thought.

I strode to where I suspected the individual may have entered, found the door locks broken and heard rapid whispering.

“These are the coordinates they have given us. Take them and use the virus to wipe them from the memory banks. Do it tonight!”

The reply: “We will have it wiped out before you are even to leave, Peter. Be careful. Tell Vandor to hurry!”

I leaned against the door and crossed my arms as Stevins closed the link and turned to escape. “I never would have suspected that His almighty wisdom would overlook a traitor in my midst.” I said.

Stevins grinned at me. “Just yet another proving fact that God doesn’t exist.”

I felt like he’d shot me. Not just a traitor, but an atheist in my midst! “What did you say?” I demanded, stepping forward and withdrawing my baton. We were not allowed to carry weapons, knives or anything that was not blessed and sanctioned by the high priests.

Stevins just grinned wider. He reached into his waistband and withdrew a sidearm and aimed it at my chest. “I’m leaving,” He said. “And you’ll never be able to find Vandor now.”

“Infidel!” I snarled, raising my baton and lurching towards him. I heard a sharp report and felt a sharp pain in my chest and was dumbfounded to discover that Stevins had shot me. He leaned over me and grabbed my shirt. “Your reign of terror is over, you sick fuck.” He whispered, then his fist crashed across the bridge of my nose and I felt bones break, then blackness stole over me.

—-

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