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I lean over A if this new vid will be about the weapons we’ve just discovered or if it will help us fix the ship “Why did he use a floppy instead of a mem card this time?” I ask idly

She shrugs It doesn’t matter—here’s the next clue, and we’re one step closer to finding what Orion hid before we froze hi just what that secret is

And if it has anything to do with bringing the engine back to life

I barely dare whisper the thought inthe fact that Orion knew ht he did, and it soiant secret he keeps hinting at—it must be the key

“Ready?” Aers across the screen

Instead of seeing Orion sitting on stairs and talking, though, the screen re the floppy curve

“Why isn’t there a video?” she asks “Did I do so?”

I shake my head just as white words start to scroll across the black screen

You’veless from you

First, I have a question for you Why do we have these kinds of weapons?

“That’s exactly what I’ve been wondering,” I mutter

“M from word to word

“Nothing,” I say

There has to be a reason for it You have to be asking yourself the sa I asked Eldest: If we are on a peaceful, exploratory mission like Eldest said—why are we armed for war?

Eldest never really answered me It’s for e land That’s all he’d tellthis kind of weaponry But you don’t have guns like these unless you plan on killing so It’s either us or them—whoever, whatever is on Centauri-Earth