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"So will need to be done about that," John interjects His voice is cool and authoritative

"Agreed Although huovernments will have to be back-burnered," Lawson replies "Frankly, we should consider ourselves lucky that only the Russians have koed to the hostiles We’ve been able to communicate withthem to evacuate the cities threatened by warships while covertly organizing counterstrike forces in the event we can crack the Mogadorian shields However, if Setrákus Ra executes his pro--I’m not sure if these other countries will have the ability to stay the course I think we can all agree that we’re up against a ticking clock It’s not if Setrákus Ra ood on his threats, but when"

At the lances at her, then looks back at Lawson

"What’s the situation in New York?" he asks

"Saround troops hold Manhattan, with our forces working triage and evacuation in the outer boroughs Also not a priority at the moment, unless the warship returns"

Daniela doesn’t react much to the news At Lawson’s assessers on the table in front of her, like she needs to get soression out I wonder if she lost family back in the city I wonder if they’re still trapped there

"Are you tracking the Anubis?" John asks

"We are After attacking your people in Mexico, the Mogadorian flagship did not return to New York Our recon shows it holding in West Virginia over a ents e’ve interrogated indicate this place is--"

"Yeah, yeah," interrupts Nine, clearly bored "Most of us have had the shit luck to be stuck in the place once or twice It’s their big base"

When Nine is done speaking, Lawson lets the ensuing silence linger Behind him, the twins bristle at this breach of decoruht an out-of-line cadet, but Nine doesn’t even notice He’s right back to doodling explosions on a piece of US Army stationery

"We’re aware of the base," John says diplomatically Or maybe just without any emotion "We infiltrated it once before, but we’ve never had the resources to properly attack it until now"

Lawson nods at that and seems about to respond Before he can, I lean forward to look at Ella Maybe she knohy he’s parked hiood on any of his threats

"Ella, why has Setrákus Ra stopped the Anubis there? What iswhat is he waiting for?"