Ablaze Spring 2024

politics figured into the system – there was no dissociating it even when it was such a dangerous aspect of the power matrix. She could use the infor - mation to maneuver, sure, blackmail herself higher perhaps - yet that would make her no better than the louts she took an oath to hunt and prosecute. The weight of this case began to tear at her psyche, her OWN career could be impacted, perhaps massively – “Don’t ignore the danger,” she thought. An allegation of this nature would be like fire through an excelsior warehouse – uncontrollable. Pondering the gravity of her discovery, she reflected about her own career as a young officer and all the many stupid and regrettable moments that had come her way. She was present for the New Berlin campaign, much as Brandt, and she also knew weakness and error. Yet she did not seek high of - fice, which made Brandt a fair target for scrutiny. Now, without warning, she possessed a critical bit of evidence with far-reaching implications. She had to thoroughly consider her next move given the potential consequences – as she was likely risking her career, if not her life, perhaps even the Enclave’s future.

THE END

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