Page 217 of Reaper Said Mine

“It is extremely relevant.”

His expression wavers.

I step closer, keeping my voice quiet. “These files may help prevent fleets from firing on civilians. They may expose fabricated evidence being used to justify military escalation. They may prove that people with money and titles helped build a crisis they now expect everyone else to die inside.”

One of the security officers shifts uncomfortably.

The courier swallows.

“I’m just doing my job.”

“I know,” I say. “So am I.”

Milton rises with surprising grace for a man who has been drinking steadily since dawn. “As counsel of record for Ms. Ramone’s independent investigative consortium, a phrase I invented eight seconds ago and already adore, I accept service and advise you that any attempt to seize materials without proper judicial authorization will be met with immediate counterfilings, public disclosure, and personal embarrassment beyond your current imagination.”

Bellamy leans toward me. “We have a consortium?”

“Apparently.”

“I always wanted to be in something with a name.”

The courier hands Milton the receipt with visible relief and leaves quickly with the security officers.

When the door closes, nobody laughs.

The threats have crossed from noise into machinery.

I look at the evidence wall again.

More lines.

More names.

More factions.

More proof that every major power looked at the Badlands and saw opportunity before they saw people.

The Combine saw profit, vengeance, asset protection, and the chance to turn Gnash’s rage into public justification.

The Coalition saw an opening to fold Reaper territory into its influence through aid that no decent leader could refuse.

The Alliance saw a chance to contain a dangerous warlord, reassure frightened allies, and expand military discretion under language clean enough for speeches.

The media saw fear, ratings, and monster theater.

Gnash saw enemies.

I saw a story.

Too late, perhaps.

But not uselessly late.

My compad vibrates again.

Another message from Gnash.

Your story is moving numbers here. Some captains argue less loudly for retaliation. Theryki watches the feeds now before she speaks. Skahar says you are making cowards sweat through expensive cloth.