3
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Though it’s been a year, headquarters is unchanged. Never enough parking, too many dogs and tourists, even in November. Sunlight slants off the low tide. I do a sweep of the beachfront expanse through squinted eyes. My spine prickles as I note a woman with olive skin in a black business suit leaning against a red sedan, hair slicked into a ponytail. She gazes at her phone, then at the building, ignoring me. I breathe easier. If she were a Spectari, she’d meet my stare, smile, feign friendliness.
Really, Mars. Because how many Spectari have you seen IRL?
None. I’ve been reading too much today, prepping for my meeting with Garrett. I have no idea what she’ll grill me on after so long without regular lessons with her.
Soulless beings, Spectari are rare in developed cou
