I sniff the air. I mantle up the nearest tree and stare west. ‘Fffffuck…’ I scan the horizon. The whole horizon. ‘….me.’ I smack into the...forest floor and start up a mad dash as that sharp-dry smell of smoke rises to more than a hint. I’ll get out somehow. * * * * * * woke up this morning / all that love had gone / your papa never told you about right and wrong /but you’re // one in a million // ’cause you got that / shotgun shine / born under a bad sign / you got a blue moon in your eye *. Jean-Pierre told me that whomever could open the box should receive it.’ After dissuading Wally from having a peek inside, they watched him drain his glass of beer and leave, then returned to the room. Once the box had opened, controlling Wally had been child’s play, his mental shield peeled away as had Greta’s. Alan peeled off the felt liner, and placed both his rings into their allotted grooves on the inside hull of the case. He covered them with the parchment and sealed the box. Nothing. .. an ancient species that predates Terran history. They’re known as Progenitors...”“Progenitors?” Maria asked in a hushed whisper. “I’ve never even heard of them!”He let out a heavy sigh. “You deserve to know the truth ... about the man your daughter is with and what we’re facing...”With Calara’s help, John told Maria about everything they’d discovered about Progenitors, how they had shaped this part of the galaxy then nearly destroyed it. He told her about their ability to control and. Sharon tried to sit up in the bed, and ran straight into the padded ceiling. “Ow!” She dropped down onto her back, and clapped one hand to her forehead.“Watch your head, there’s not enough room to sit straight up,” I said neutrally.“It’s okay,” Sharon said after a moment. “I think I can skip the trip to the ER. I see why it’s padded here, too.” She rose, more carefully that time, and propped herself up on one elbow. “I need to go to the bathroom. Does the shower work?”“It does,” I nodded..