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This is a fact:

We are near the end.

In fact, we’re teetering at the edge.

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K: They diverted the mission. Phase One is a failure.

L: Clean up the loose ends or I clean you off the board.

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H:  Unraveling? No, it’s worse. His genes are unpredictable. They’re probably going to mutate, at least once. And if they mutate a certain way… this project could be kaput.

K: ‘Kaput.’ Do you know by when?

H: Looking at this strand here, and how close it is to… I’d give the mutation about twelve years to manifest. He’ll be sixteen.

K: Thank you, Holmes, for bringing this to my attention.

H: What are you telling Lindell?

K: Nothing. He’s not going to hear a word about this.

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K: Asmik was a liability. She was caught conspiring with the subjects. I removed her from the equation.

L: Were the subjects apprehended?

K: Not yet.

L: Phase One is still a go. Find the subjects.

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APEX Report:

Death of Maxine Asmik caused by bullet wound to head. 

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Interrogator

Can you describe how you came to Texas?

Pherris

After the earthquakes, me and two other people were trapped in a 7-Eleven. We eventually escaped, and ran into Orion’s group. They were headed east and we stayed with them. We drove from Logan to Ogden, and took the interstate-train from there. Albuquerque… was burning. We couldn’t get off the train. The next morning the train crashed in the middle of nowhere. Texas, I guess. And then everything else happened…

Interrogator

Your files say you have a twin brother? Where are he and your parents?

Pherris

They’re… gone. They didn’t survive the earthquakes.

Interrogator

I’m sorry to hear that.

Ms. Glazkoff, here, we’ll finish the interview for now. Thank you for your answers.

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K: Autopsy room cleared for Subjects One and Two

L: Salvage what you can. Project Genesis cannot fail now.

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01/09/2046; 10:42

Recipient: K, APEX

Sender: Maxine D. Asmik, Marchenko Bank

Body: Mercy on San Antonio

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Overheard at APEX Twentieth Annual Gala

How old was he when he broke Kryptos? Gar, four?

Is it true that Orion is bionically enhanced? Can you prove that he isn’t?

So this is the kid that short-circuited Deep Blue?

What technical advantages can he bring to the Army?

He’s a genius? He doesn’t look like one. Make him say something smart.

How do you explain his precociousness? Accelerated brain development or abnormal neurological structure?

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01/03/2047; 10:40

Recipient: Maxim D. Asmik, Marchenko Bank

Sender: K, APEX

Body: Lindell said no. Phase Two is a go. [(1) attachment]

(attachment irretrievable)

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