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74.
Linsey sat in the shattered coffee shop with Jim Robertson when her cell phone chirped. It was her husband. "Hi, Jack. Are you okay?"
"I have the kids and we are safe for now. I just killed one of those gill men."
"Geez, be careful. I so wish I could help you. I'm stuck here in Mission Valley. Has Louise contacted you?"
"She did earlier. She said she'd fix something up."
"Don't run your battery down."
"We're barricaded in the bar on the 40th floor of the Manchester Hyatt Grand San Diego Hotel."
"I'll call Louise and see if she's able to send someone yet."
Linsey called Louise's office, but got only the executive assistant, who promised a call back as soon as Louise was free from yet another meeting.
Linsey called Shaun Nolan. "Are you feeling better?"
"Yes. Sorry for the uproar."
"Dr. Nolan, I understand you have gone on TV and radio to warn against a horrifying new version of the mushroom people."
"It's the real version, Lieutenant Simon. What I saw with my own eyes down in the harbor district resembles a cross between a man-sized cockroach and a bedsore walking around."
"My husband and some children are trapped there. I think I may know how to fight these monstrosities."
"I bet you do. Can we meet?"
"You'll need to extract me and a wounded man."
"I can do that. Just tell me you can save the world."
"Huh?" She laughed nervously.
"Louise has put a tool at my disposal to help with the research. I just need to justify the use—you know, the old paper trail and all."
"I'll show you how to kick ass, take names, and save Earth."
" I'll make a note of that for Bookkeeping. Where are you?"
"The Hazard Center in Mission Valley."
"Stay put. I'll come and get you."
"How?"
"You'll see."
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