Xforce 2021 [hot] -

John finally turned. Tears streaked his dirt-smeared face. “I know.”

Sage ran the numbers. “We can’t shut down the factory without killing the Cuckoo-ghosts. And we can’t kill the Cuckoo-ghosts without erasing every John Proudheart simultaneously. His psychic fingerprint is nested inside their grief.”

When Quentin attacked—claws of solid psionic rage—Hank didn’t fight back. He pressed a button. xforce 2021

Before Quentin could deploy his diamond shroud, the clone detonated his own skull. The psychic feedback didn’t kill Quentin—but it scrambled his memories for 4.7 seconds. Long enough for another John to step from the shadows and plant a kiss on his forehead.

“John Proudheart’s backup remains active in one location: Quentin Quire’s dreamscape. Not a threat. A guest.” John finally turned

Domino put a hand on his shoulder. “Weren’t we all?”

John looked at the empty Eggs lining the greenhouse shelves. For a long moment, he said nothing. “We can’t shut down the factory without killing

“We just wanted to be real,” whispered the lead Cuckoo-ghost. “John Proudheart was the only ghost who said yes.”