Boone studies me quietly.
“You’re thinking about the system again.”
I sigh.
“Am I that obvious?”
“Yes.”
I stare out at the water.
“I spent years watching networks and infrastructure systems.”
“Every failure scenario.”
“Every possible cascade.”
“And now there’s one out there evolving on its own.”
Boone leans back in his chair.
“The city’s fine.”
“I know.”
“You saved it.”
“I know.”
“But the observer node is still running.”
He nods.
“And you’re monitoring it remotely.”
“Yes.”
“So for tonight…”
“…it can survive without you.”
I look over at him.
“You’re very good at this.”
“At what?”
“Convincing me to relax.”
He smiles slightly.
“I’ve had practice.”
“With other people?”
“With soldiers who forget the war ended.”
That answer quiets me.
