We return just before sunrise. The station stands empty. Day's first light streams over (link-reveal: "deserted desks.")[(transition: "dissolve")[The others will return soon, for the light will have chased //them// away.]]
You head for the shower. I fill the [[kettle]].<script>$('body').removeClass().addClass('one')</script>
You poke mud out of the cleats of your boots.
I retreat to the shower, tease the grime and blood and ichor out of my hair. We sit amongst the detritus of the job. (live: 2.0s)[(replace: "job.")[(transition: "dissolve")[job: our satchels lie agape; our belts, laden with devices, droop from the table.]]]
(live: 3.5s)[The water comes to a (text-style: "shudder")[ [[boil]] ].]
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You titrate tea leaves into our cups, and fill them with boiling water. I slice the cake we baked (link: "many moons ago")[(link-reveal:"yesterday")[, taking time we could scarcely spare. Regardless: it is excellent cake, all the sweeter the night's work]].
Tonight, we will go out again, and we will [[continue|more]]. <script>$('body').removeClass().addClass('three')</script>
There will be more, tonight, now more than ever. (A small comfort: we know how to deal with them.)
But now, we are here. (live: 3.0s)[We are inside.] (live: 5.5s)[We are safe.]
(live: 6.0s)[(transition: "dissolve")[//fin//]]
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