Everlife. Gena Showalter

Tenley Lockwood

      Fellow Generals,

      We have two orders of business to discuss. The first: animals. Because of the recent bombings inside our realm, our Secondking has issued a decree. Every citizen will be appointed a guardian, whether four-legged or winged. However, we all have the right to decline. I suggest you do so, and encourage your people to do the same. We haven’t trained with these animals. There’s a good chance they’ll be more of a hindrance than a help.

      The second order of business is the most important. For the first time in our realm’s history, the Prince of Doves has decided NOT to hold a vote for the Resurrection. I don’t know why, only that protests will not change his mind. Instead, Tenley Lockwood is tasked with selecting which of our fallen soldiers will leave the Rest.

      No doubt she plans to choose one of the following (in order of rank):

      General Levi Nanne, her trainer

      Leader Meredith Cordell, her grandmother

      Laborer Archer Prince, her friend

      Laborer Elizabeth Winchester, her teammate

      We have twenty-four hours to plead the case of our revered brother, General Orion Giovante. While I love and respect the others, Orion is the one we need. The war with Myriad is heating. We are outnumbered and outgunned, and Orion is a warrior among warriors, our greatest hope for victory. He has what Levi doesn’t: a killer instinct. Toward the end, Levi softened. He worked with Killian Flynn, known by our Laborers as the Butcher. Mr. Flynn is also Miss Lockwood’s biggest weakness. Their romantic relationship puts us all at terrible risk.

      Orion will deliver Mr. Flynn’s Second-death without pause or concern for Miss Lockwood’s feelings. He will help us focus on the only thing that matters: Myriad’s annihilation.

      First, we must find Miss Lockwood. Second, we must convince her to do what will help us but hurt her. For some reason, I’m unable to find her in the Grid.

      Jane, do you see her in the Eye?

      Light Brings Sight!

      General Alejandro Torres

       TROIKA

      From: J_A_3/19.37.30

      To: A_T_3/23.40.29, L_R_3/51.3.15, S_C_3/50.4.13, C_M_3/5.20.1, Y_L_3/59.1.2, A_S_3/42.6.31, T_B_3/19.30.2, B_S_3/51.3.13, M_V_3/54.5.8, J_B_3/19.23.4, S_J_3/62.5.5, M_P_3/45.10.9

      Subject: Foolish girl!

      Miss Lockwood has disabled her comm. Does she want Myriad to kill her?

      Worry not. I’ll find her. I just need time.

      General Shamus, gather your army and await further word at the Veil of Wings. The moment I’ve located Miss Lockwood, I’ll transport you to her side.

      Light Brings Sight!

      General Jane Adamson

      PS: I have rejected my guardian.

       TROIKA

      From: S_C_3/50.4.13

      To: J_A_3/19.37.30, A_T_3/23.40.29, L_R_3/51.3.15, C_M_3/5.20.1, Y_L_3/59.1.2, A_S_3/42.6.31, T_B_3/19.30.2, B_S_3/51.3.13, M_V_3/54.5.8, J_B_3/19.23.4, S_J_3/62.5.5, M_P_3/45.10.9

      Subject: I’ll be ready

      However, I doubt I’ll be gentle. But then, I have a feeling “gentle” isn’t necessary or even desired. Why else would you assign the Brute to retrieve her? You’d like someone to teach her the error of her ways, perhaps even scare her into doing what we desire.

      Consider it done.

      Light Brings Sight!

      General Shamus Campbell

      PS: I was appointed a guardian poodle. You did not misread. I said POODLE. If you want to be insulted on my behalf, feel free. I turned her down—of course.

       TROIKA

      From: L_R_3/51.3.15

      To: S_C_3/50.4.13, J_A_3/19.37.30, A_T_3/23.40.29, C_M_3/5.20.1, Y_L_3/59.1.2, A_S_3/42.6.31, T_B_3/19.30.2, B_S_3/51.3.13, M_V_3/54.5.8, J_B_3/19.23.4, S_J_3/62.5.5, M_P_3/45.10.9

      Subject: I’ll go with you, Shame-us

      And I’ll hear no protests on the matter. Anger has clouded your judgment; it is Myriad, not Troika, that deals in fear. Also, if we punish the girl, we risk alienating her. We cannot make her feel as though she has no allies, otherwise she’ll vote for someone other than the General she’s never had the privilege of meeting.

      Do us all a favor and think before you speak, General Campbell.

      Light Brings Sight!

      General Luciana Rossi

      PS: I was assigned a grizzly bear. Suck it.

       TROIKA

      From: S_C_3/50.4.13

      To: L_R_3/51.3.15

      Subject: Admit it

      Your concern isn’t for the girl or even our great realm. You’ve always lusted for Orion, and you’ll do anything to bring him back—even pander to a Conduit too ignorant to pick a good decision in a lineup.

      I’m sure Orion’s wife will thank you for your efforts, eh. Or not. Yeah, probably not.

      If ever YOU stop acting like a Myriadian and want to tup an unattached male, all you have to do is beg me. I’ll do the dishonors, you have my word.

      Light Brings Sight!

      General Shame-on-you

      PS: I guess Eron thinks you need a stronger guardian...because you are weaker.

       MYRIAD

      From: S_A_5/46.15.33

      To: K_F_5/23.53.6

      Subject: Penumbra

      I know you’re in hiding, Killian. I know you’re in trouble. But you have to come back to Myriad. After Dior’s court appearance, I overheard something I shouldn’t have. We knew the Penumbra had begun to spread but we didn’t know our realm had found a way to mass-produce the infection. Thousands of humans are going to be affected—and soon.

      Killian, please! You have to come back. I can’t fight this alone.

      Might Equals Right!

      ML-in-training,

      Sloan Aubuchon

       MYRIAD

      From: Mailer-Erratum

      To: S_A_5/46.15.33, K_F_5/23.53.6

      Subject: