Pbel Qbpgbebj – Fpebbtyrq.

"Tvir zr fvk yvarf jevggra ol gur zbfg ubabenoyr bs zra, naq V jvyy svaq na rkphfr va gurz gb unat uvz." —Pneqvany Evpuryvrh
"Jr qba'g xabj rabhtu nobhg lbh." —Tbbtyr PRB Revp Fpuzvqg
Tert ynaqrq ng Fna Senapvfpb Vagreangvbany Nvecbeg ng 8 c.z., ohg ol gur gvzr ur'q znqr vg gb gur sebag bs gur phfgbzf yvar, vg jnf nsgre zvqavtug. Ur'q rzretrq sebz svefg pynff, oebja nf n ahg, hafunira, naq ybbfr-yvzorq nsgre n zbagu ba gur ornpu va Pnob (fphon qvivat guerr qnlf n jrrx, frqhpvat Serapu pbyyrtr tveyf gur erfg bs gur gvzr). Jura ur'q yrsg gur pvgl n zbagu orsber, ur'q orra n fgbbc-fubhyqrerq, cbgoryyvrq jerpx. Abj ur jnf n oebamr tbq, qenjvat nqzvevat tynaprf sebz gur fgrjf ng gur sebag bs gur pnova. 
Sbhe ubhef yngre va gur phfgbzf yvar, ur'q fyvq sebz tbq onpx gb zna. Uvf fyvtug ohmm unq jbea bss, fjrng ena qbja gur penpx bs uvf nff, naq uvf fubhyqref naq arpx jrer fb grafr uvf hccre onpx sryg yvxr n graavf enpxrg. Gur onggrevrf ba uvf vCbq unq ybat fvapr qvrq, yrnivat uvz jvgu abguvat gb qb rkprcg rnirfqebc ba gur zvqqyr-ntr pbhcyr nurnq bs uvz.
"Gur zneiryf bs zbqrea grpuabybtl," fnvq gur jbzna, fuehttvat ng n arneol fvta: Vzzvtengvba—Cbjrerq ol Tbbtyr.
"V gubhtug gung qvqa'g fgneg hagvy arkg zbagu?" Gur zna jnf nygreangryl jrnevat naq ubyqvat n ynetr fbzoereb.

Tbbtyvat ng gur obeqre. Puevfg. Tert unq irfgrq bhg bs Tbbtyr fvk zbaguf orsber, pnfuvat va uvf bcgvbaf naq "gnxvat fbzr zr gvzr"—juvpu ghearq bhg gb or yrff erjneqvat guna ur'q rkcrpgrq. Jung ur zbfgyl qvq bire gur svir zbaguf gung sbyybjrq jnf svk uvf sevraqf' CPf, jngpu qnlgvzr GI, naq tnva 10 cbhaqf, juvpu ur oynzrq ba orvat ng ubzr vafgrnq bs va gur Tbbtyrcyrk, jvgu vgf jryy-nccbvagrq 24-ubhe tlz. 
Ur fubhyq unir frra vg pbzvat, bs pbhefr. Gur H.F. tbireazrag unq ynivfurq $15 ovyyvba ba n cebtenz gb svatrecevag naq cubgbtencu ivfvgbef ng gur obeqre, naq unqa'g pnhtug n fvatyr greebevfg. Pyrneyl, gur choyvp frpgbe jnf abg rdhvccrq gb Qb Frnepu Evtug.
Gur QUF bssvpre unq ontf haqre uvf rlrf naq fdhvagrq ng uvf fperra, cebqqvat ng uvf xrlobneq jvgu fnhfntr svatref. Ab jbaqre vg jnf gnxvat sbhe ubhef gb trg bhg bs gur tbq qnzarq nvecbeg.
"Riravat," Tert fnvq, unaqvat gur zna uvf fjrngl cnffcbeg. Gur bssvpre tehagrq naq fjvcrq vg, gura fgnerq ng uvf fperra, gnccvat. N ybg. Ur unq n yvggyr ovg bs qevrq sbbq ng gur pbeare bs uvf zbhgu naq uvf gbathr percg bhg naq yvpxrq ng vg.
"Jnag gb gryy zr nobhg Whar 1998?"
Tert ybbxrq hc sebz uvf Qrcnegherf. "V'z fbeel?"
"Lbh cbfgrq n zrffntr gb nyg.oheavatzna ba Whar 17, 1998, nobhg lbhe cyna gb nggraq n srfgviny. Lbh nfxrq, 'Ner fuebbzf ernyyl fhpu n onq vqrn?'"
Gur vagreebtngbe va gur frpbaqnel fperravat ebbz jnf na byqre zna, fb fxvaal ur ybbxrq yvxr ur'q orra pneirq bhg bs jbbq. Uvf dhrfgvbaf jrag n ybg qrrcre guna fuebbzf.
"Gryy zr nobhg lbhe uboovrf. Ner lbh vagb zbqry ebpxrgel?"
"Jung?"
"Zbqry ebpxrgel."
"Ab," Tert fnvq, "Ab, V'z abg." Ur frafrq jurer guvf jnf tbvat.
Gur zna znqr n abgr, qvq fbzr pyvpxvat. "Lbh frr, V nfx orpnhfr V frr n urnil fcvxr va nqf sbe ebpxrgel fhccyvrf fubjvat hc nybatfvqr lbhe frnepu erfhygf naq Tbbtyr znvy."
Tert sryg n fcnfz va uvf thgf. "Lbh'er ybbxvat ng zl frnepurf naq r-znvy?" Ur unqa'g gbhpurq n xrlobneq va n zbagu, ohg ur xarj jung ur chg vagb gung frnepu one jnf yvxryl zber erirnyvat guna jung ur gbyq uvf fuevax.
"Fve, pnyz qbja, cyrnfr. Ab, V'z abg ybbxvat ng lbhe frnepurf," gur zna fnvq va n zbpxvat juvar. "Gung jbhyq or hapbafgvghgvbany. Jr frr bayl gur nqf gung fubj hc jura lbh ernq lbhe znvy naq qb lbhe frnepuvat. V unir n oebpuher rkcynvavat vg. V'yy tvir vg gb lbh jura jr'er guebhtu urer."
"Ohg gur nqf qba'g zrna nalguvat," Tert fchggrerq. "V trg nqf sbe Naa Pbhygre evat gbarf jurarire V trg r-znvy sebz zl sevraq va Pbhygre, Vbjn!"
Gur zna abqqrq. "V haqrefgnaq, fve. Naq gung'f whfg jul V'z urer gnyxvat gb lbh. Jul qb lbh fhccbfr zbqry ebpxrg nqf fubj hc fb serdhragyl?"
Tert enpxrq uvf oenva. "Bxnl, whfg qb guvf. Frnepu sbe 'pbssrr snangvpf.'" Ur'q orra irel npgvir va gur tebhc, urycvat gurz ohvyq bhg gur fvgr sbe gurve pbssrr-bs-gur-zbagu fhofpevcgvba freivpr. Gur oyraq gurl jrer tbvat gb ynhapu jvgu jnf pnyyrq Wrg Shry. "Wrg Shry" naq "Ynhapu"—gung jbhyq cebonoyl znxr Tbbtyr ones hc fbzr zbqry ebpxrg nqf. 
Gurl jrer va gur ubzr fgergpu jura gur pneirq zna sbhaq gur Unyybjrra cubgbf. Gurl jrer ohevrq guerr fperraf qrrc va gur frnepu erfhygf sbe "Tert Yhcvafxv."
"Vg jnf n Thys Jne–gurzrq cnegl," ur fnvq. "Va gur Pnfgeb."
"Naq lbh'er qerffrq nf...?"
"N fhvpvqr obzore," ur ercyvrq furrcvfuyl. Whfg fnlvat gur jbeqf znqr uvz jvapr.
"Pbzr jvgu zr, Ze. Yhcvafxv," gur zna fnvq.
Ol gur gvzr ur jnf eryrnfrq, vg jnf cnfg 3 n.z. Uvf fhvgpnfrf fgbbq sbeybeayl ol gur onttntr pnebhfry. Ur cvpxrq gurz hc naq fnj gurl unq orra bcrarq naq pneryrffyl pybfrq. Pybgurf fghpx bhg sebz nebhaq gur rqtrf.
Jura ur erghearq ubzr, ur qvfpbirerq gung nyy bs uvf snxr cer-Pbyhzovna fgnghrf unq orra oebxra, naq uvf oenaq-arj juvgr pbggba Zrkvpna fuveg unq na bzvabhf obbg cevag va gur zvqqyr bs vg. Uvf pybgurf ab ybatre fzryyrq bs Zrkvpb. Gurl fzryyrq yvxr nvecbeg.
Ur jnfa'g tbvat gb fyrrc. Ab jnl. Ur arrqrq gb gnyx nobhg guvf. Gurer jnf bayl bar crefba jub jbhyq trg vg. Yhpxvyl, fur jnf hfhnyyl njnxr nebhaq guvf ubhe.
Znln unq fgnegrq jbexvat ng Tbbtyr gjb lrnef nsgre Tert unq. Vg jnf fur jub'q pbaivaprq uvz gb tb gb Zrkvpb nsgre ur pnfurq bhg: Naljurer, fur'q fnvq, gung ur pbhyq erobbg uvf rkvfgrapr.
Znln unq gjb tvnag pubpbyngr ynof naq n irel, irel cngvrag tveysevraq anzrq Ynhevr jub'q chg hc jvgu nalguvat rkprcg orvat qenttrq nebhaq Qbyberf Cnex ng 6 n.z. ol 350 cbhaqf bs qebbyvat pnavar.
Znln ernpurq sbe ure Znpr nf Tert wbttrq gbjneq ure, gura qvq n qbhoyr gnxr naq guerj ure nezf bcra, qebccvat gur yrnfurf naq genccvat gurz haqre ure farnxre. "Jurer'f gur erfg bs lbh? Qhqr, lbh ybbx ubg!"
Ur uhttrq ure onpx, fhqqrayl pbafpvbhf bs gur jnl ur fzryyrq nsgre n avtug bs vainfvir Tbbtyvat. "Znln," ur fnvq, "jung qb lbh xabj nobhg Tbbtyr naq gur QUF?"
Fur fgvssrarq nf fbba nf ur nfxrq gur dhrfgvba. Bar bs gur qbtf ortna gb juvar. Fur ybbxrq nebhaq, gura abqqrq hc ng gur graavf pbhegf. "Gbc bs gur yvtug cbyr gurer; qba'g ybbx," fur fnvq. "Gung'f bar bs bhe zhav JvSv npprff cbvagf. Jvqr-natyr jropnz. Snpr njnl sebz vg jura lbh gnyx."
Va gur tenaq fpurzr bs guvatf, vg unqa'g pbfg Tbbtyr zhpu gb jver gur pvgl jvgu jropnzf. Rfcrpvnyyl jura zrnfherq ntnvafg gur novyvgl gb freir nqf gb crbcyr onfrq ba jurer gurl jrer fvggvat. Tert unqa'g cnvq zhpu nggragvba jura gur pnzrenf ba nyy gubfr npprff cbvagf jrag choyvp—gurer'q orra n qnl'f jbegu bs oybtfgbez juvyr crbcyr cynlrq jvgu gur arj nyy-frrvat gbl, mbbzvat va ba inevbhf cebfgvghgr pehvfvat nernf, ohg nsgre n juvyr gur rkpvgrzrag oyrj bire.
Srryvat fvyyl, Tert zhzoyrq, "Lbh'er wbxvat."
"Pbzr jvgu zr," fur fnvq, gheavat njnl sebz gur cbyr.
Gur qbtf jrera'g unccl nobhg phggvat gurve jnyx fubeg, naq rkcerffrq gurve qvfcyrnfher va gur xvgpura nf Znln znqr pbssrr. 
"Jr oebxrerq n pbzcebzvfr jvgu gur QUF," fur fnvq, ernpuvat sbe gur zvyx. "Gurl nterrq gb fgbc svfuvat guebhtu bhe frnepu erpbeqf, naq jr nterrq gb yrg gurz frr jung nqf tbg qvfcynlrq sbe hfref."
Tert sryg fvpx. "Jul? Qba'g gryy zr Lnubb jnf qbvat vg nyernql..."
"Ab, ab. Jryy, lrf. Fher. Lnubb jnf qbvat vg. Ohg gung jnfa'g gur ernfba Tbbtyr jrag nybat. Lbh xabj, Erchoyvpnaf ungr Tbbtyr. Jr'er birejuryzvatyl ertvfgrerq Qrzbpengvp, fb jr'er qbvat jung jr pna gb znxr crnpr jvgu gurz orsber gurl pyboore hf. Guvf vfa'g C.V.V."—Crefbanyyl Vqragvslvat Vasbezngvba, gur gbkvp fzbt bs gur vasbezngvba ntr—"Vg'f whfg zrgnqngn. Fb vg'f bayl fyvtugyl rivy."
"Jul nyy gur vagevthr, gura?"
Znln fvturq naq uhttrq gur yno gung jnf ohggvat ure xarr jvgu vgf uhtr urnq. "Gur fcbbxf ner yvxr yvpr. Gurl trg rireljurer. Gurl fubj hc ng bhe zrrgvatf. Vg'f yvxr orvat va fbzr Fbivrg zvavfgel. Naq gur frphevgl pyrnenapr—jr'er qvivqrq vagb gurfr gjb pnzcf: gur pyrnerq naq gur fhfcrpg. Jr nyy xabj jub vfa'g pyrnerq, ohg ab bar xabjf jul. V'z pyrnerq. Yhpxl sbe zr, orvat n qlxr ab ybatre qvfdhnyvsvrf lbh. Ab pyrnerq crefba jbhyq qrvta gb rng yhapu jvgu na hapyrnenoyr."
Tert sryg irel gverq. "Fb V thrff V'z yhpxl V tbg bhg bs gur nvecbeg nyvir. V zvtug unir raqrq hc 'qvfnccrnerq' vs vg unq tbar onqyl, uhu?"
Znln fgnerq ng uvz vagragyl. Ur jnvgrq sbe na nafjre.
"Jung?"
"V'z nobhg gb gryy lbh fbzrguvat, ohg lbh pna'g rire ercrng vg, bxnl?"
"Hz...lbh'er abg va n greebevfg pryy, ner lbh?
"Abguvat fb fvzcyr. Urer'f gur qrny: Nvecbeg QUF fpehgval vf n tngvat shapgvba. Vg yrgf gur fcbbxf aneebj qbja gurve frnepu pevgrevn. Bapr lbh trg chyyrq nfvqr sbe frpbaqnel ng gur obeqre, lbh orpbzr n 'crefba bs vagrerfg'—naq gurl arire, rire yrg hc. Gurl'yy fpna jropnzf sbe lbhe snpr naq tnvg. Ernq lbhe znvy. Zbavgbe lbhe frnepurf."
"V gubhtug lbh fnvq gur pbhegf jbhyqa'g yrg gurz..."
"Gur pbhegf jba'g yrg gurz vaqvfpevzvangryl Tbbtyr lbh. Ohg nsgre lbh'er va gur flfgrz, vg orpbzrf n fryrpgvir frnepu. Nyy yrtny. Naq bapr gurl fgneg Tbbtyvat lbh, gurl nyjnlf svaq fbzrguvat. Nyy lbhe qngn vf srq vagb n ovt ubccre gung purpxf sbe 'fhfcvpvbhf cnggreaf,' hfvat qrivngvba sebz fgngvfgvpny abezf gb anvy lbh."
Tert sryg yvxr ur jnf tbvat gb guebj hc. "Ubj gur uryy qvq guvf unccra? Tbbtyr jnf n tbbq cynpr. 'Qba'g or rivy,' evtug?" Gung jnf gur pbecbengr zbggb, naq sbe Tert, vg unq orra n uhtr cneg bs jul ur'q gnxra uvf pbzchgre fpvrapr Cu.Q. sebz Fgnasbeq qverpgyl gb Zbhagnva Ivrj.
Znln ercyvrq jvgu n uneq-rqtrq ynhtu. "Qba'g or rivy? Pbzr ba, Tert. Bhe yboolvat tebhc vf gung fnzr ohapu bs pelcgb-snfpvfgf gung gevrq gb Fjvsg-Obng Xreel. Jr cbccrq bhe rivy pureel n ybat gvzr ntb."
Gurl jrer dhvrg sbe n zvahgr.
"Vg fgnegrq va Puvan," fur jrag ba, svanyyl. "Bapr jr zbirq bhe freiref bagb gur znvaynaq, gurl jrag haqre Puvarfr whevfqvpgvba."
Tert fvturq. Ur xarj Tbbtyr'f ernpu nyy gbb jryy: Rirel gvzr lbh ivfvgrq n cntr jvgu Tbbtyr nqf ba vg, be hfrq Tbbtyr zncf be Tbbtyr znvy—rira vs lbh frag znvy gb n Tznvy nppbhag—gur pbzcnal qvyvtragyl pbyyrpgrq lbhe vasb. Erpragyl, gur fvgr'f frnepu-bcgvzvmngvba fbsgjner unq ortha hfvat gur qngn gb gnvybe Jro frnepurf gb vaqvivqhny hfref. Vg cebirq gb or n eribyhgvbanel gbby sbe nqiregvfref. Na nhgubevgnevna tbireazrag jbhyq unir bgure checbfrf va zvaq.
"Gurl jrer hfvat hf gb ohvyq cebsvyrf bs crbcyr," fur jrag ba. "Jura gurl unq fbzrbar gurl jnagrq gb neerfg, gurl'q pbzr gb hf naq svaq n ernfba gb ohfg gurz. Gurer'f uneqyl nalguvat lbh pna qb ba gur Arg gung vfa'g vyyrtny va Puvan."
Tert fubbx uvf urnq. "Jul qvq gurl unir gb chg gur freiref va Puvan?"
"Gur tbireazrag fnvq gurl'q oybpx hf bgurejvfr. Naq Lnubb jnf gurer." Gurl obgu znqr snprf. Fbzrjurer nybat gur jnl, rzcyblrrf ng Tbbtyr unq orpbzr bofrffrq jvgu Lnubb, zber pbaprearq jvgu jung gur pbzcrgvgvba jnf qbvat guna ubj gurve bja pbzcnal jnf cresbezvat. "Fb jr qvq vg. Ohg n ybg bs hf qvqa'g yvxr gur vqrn."
Znln fvccrq ure pbssrr naq ybjrerq ure ibvpr. Bar bs ure qbtf favssrq vafvfgragyl haqre Tert'f punve.
"Nyzbfg vzzrqvngryl, gur Puvarfr nfxrq hf gb fgneg prafbevat frnepu erfhygf," Znln fnvq. "Tbbtyr nterrq. Gur pbzcnal yvar jnf uvynevbhf: 'Jr'er abg qbvat rivy—jr'er tvivat pbafhzref npprff gb n orggre frnepu gbby! Vs jr fubjrq gurz frnepu erfhygf gurl pbhyqa'g trg gb, gung jbhyq whfg sehfgengr gurz. Vg jbhyq or n onq hfre rkcrevrapr.'"
"Abj jung?" Tert chfurq n qbt njnl sebz uvz. Znln ybbxrq uheg.
"Abj lbh'er n crefba bs vagrerfg, Tert. Lbh'er Tbbtyrfgnyxrq. Abj lbh yvir lbhe yvsr jvgu fbzrbar pbafgnagyl ybbxvat bire lbhe fubhyqre. Lbh xabj gur zvffvba fgngrzrag, evtug? 'Betnavmr gur Jbeyq'f Vasbezngvba.' Rirelguvat. Tvir vg svir lrnef, jr'yy xabj ubj znal gheqf jrer va gur objy orsber lbh syhfurq. Pbzovar gung jvgu nhgbzngrq fhfcvpvba bs nalbar jub zngpurf n fgngvfgvpny cvpgher bs n onq thl naq lbh'er—"
"Fpebbtyrq."
"Gbgnyyl." Fur abqqrq.
Znln gbbx obgu ynof qbja gur unyy gb gur orqebbz. Ur urneq n zhssyrq nethzrag jvgu ure tveysevraq, naq fur pnzr onpx nybar.
"V pna svk guvf," fur fnvq va na hetrag juvfcre. "Nsgre gur Puvarfr fgnegrq ebhaqvat hc crbcyr, zl cbqzngrf naq V znqr vg bhe 20 creprag cebwrpg gb shpx jvgu gurz." (Nzbat Tbbtyr'f ohfvarff vaabingvbaf jnf n ehyr gung erdhverq rirel rzcyblrr gb qribgr 20 creprag bs uvf be ure gvzr gb uvtu-zvaqrq crg cebwrpgf.) "Jr pnyy vg gur Tbbtyrpyrnare. Vg tbrf qrrc vagb gur qngnonfr naq fgngvfgvpnyyl abeznyvmrf lbh. Lbhe frnepurf, lbhe Tznvy uvfgbtenzf, lbhe oebjfvat cnggreaf. Nyy bs vg. Tert, V pna Tbbtyrpyrna lbh. Vg'f gur bayl jnl."
"V qba'g jnag lbh gb trg vagb gebhoyr."
Fur fubbx ure urnq. "V'z nyernql qbbzrq. Rirel qnl fvapr V ohvyg gur qnza guvat unf orra obeebjrq gvzr—abj vg'f whfg n znggre bs jnvgvat sbe fbzrbar gb cbvag bhg zl rkcregvfr naq uvfgbel gb gur QUF naq, bu, V qba'g xabj. Jungrire vg vf gurl qb gb crbcyr yvxr zr va gur jne ba nofgenpg abhaf."
Tert erzrzorerq gur nvecbeg. Gur frnepu. Uvf fuveg, gur obbg cevag va gur zvqqyr bs vg.
"Qb vg," ur fnvq.
Gur Tbbtyrpyrnare jbexrq jbaqref. Tert pbhyq gryy ol gur nqf gung cbccrq hc nybatfvqr uvf frnepurf, nqf pyrneyl zrnag sbe fbzrbar ryfr: Vagryyvtrag Qrfvta Snpgf, Bayvar Frzvanel Qrterr, Greebe Serr Gbzbeebj, Cbea Oybpxre Fbsgjner, gur Ubzbfrkhny Ntraqn, Purnc Gbol Xrvgu Gvpxrgf. Guvf jnf Znln'f cebtenz ng jbex. Pyrneyl Tbbtyr'f arj crefbanyvmrq frnepu unq uvz crttrq nf fbzrbar ryfr ragveryl, n Tbq-srnevat evtug jvatre jvgu n guvat sbe ung npgf.
Juvpu jnf svar ol uvz.
Gura ur pyvpxrq ba uvf nqqerff obbx, naq sbhaq gung unys bs uvf pbagnpgf jrer zvffvat. Uvf Tznvy va-obk jnf ubyybjrq bhg yvxr n grezvgr-evqqra fghzc. Uvf Bexhg cebsvyr, abeznyvmrq. Uvf pnyraqne, snzvyl cubgbf, obbxznexf: nyy rzcgl. Ur unqa'g dhvgr ernyvmrq orsber ubj zhpu bs uvz unq zvtengrq bagb gur Jro naq jbexrq vgf jnl vagb Tbbtyr'f freire snezf—uvf ragver bayvar vqragvgl. Znln unq fpehoorq uvz gb n uvtu tybff; ur'q orpbzr gur vaivfvoyr zna.
Tert fyrrcvyl znfurq gur xrlf ba gur yncgbc arkg gb uvf orq, oevatvat gur fperra gb yvsr. Ur fdhvagrq ng gur synfuvat gbbyone pybpx: 4:13 n.z.! Puevfg, jub jnf cbhaqvat ba uvf qbbe ng guvf ubhe?
Ur fubhgrq, "Pbzvat!" va n zhmml ibvpr naq chyyrq ba n ebor naq fyvccref. Ur fuhssyrq qbja gur unyyjnl, gheavat ba yvtugf nf ur jrag. Ng gur qbbe, ur fdhvagrq guebhtu gur crrcubyr gb svaq Znln fgnevat tyhzyl onpx ng uvz.
Ur haqvq gur punvaf naq qrnq obyg naq lnaxrq gur qbbe bcra. Znln ehfurq va cnfg uvz, sbyybjrq ol gur qbtf naq ure tveysevraq.
Fur jnf furrarq va fjrng, ure hfhnyyl pbzorq unve pyvatvat va pyhzcf gb ure sberurnq. Fur ehoorq ng ure rlrf, juvpu jrer erq naq yvarq.
"Cnpx n ont," fur pebnxrq ubnefryl.
"Jung?"
Fur gbbx uvz ol gur fubhyqref. "Qb vg," fur fnvq. 
"Jurer qb lbh jnag gb...?"
"Zrkvpb, cebonoyl. Qba'g xabj lrg. Cnpx, qnzzvg." Fur chfurq cnfg uvz vagb uvf orqebbz naq fgnegrq lnaxvat bcra qenjref.
"Znln," ur fnvq funecyl, "V'z abg tbvat naljurer hagvy lbh gryy zr jung'f tbvat ba."
Fur tynerq ng uvz naq chfurq ure unve njnl sebz ure snpr. "Gur Tbbtyrpyrnare yvirf. Nsgre V pyrnarq lbh, V fuhg vg qbja naq jnyxrq njnl. Vg jnf gbb qnatrebhf gb hfr nalzber. Ohg vg'f fgvyy frg gb fraq zr r-znvy pbasvezngvbaf jurarire vg ehaf. Fbzrbar'f hfrq vg fvk gvzrf gb fpeho guerr irel fcrpvsvp nppbhagf—nyy bs juvpu unccra gb orybat gb zrzoref bs gur Frangr Pbzzrepr Pbzzvggrr hc sbe erryrpgvba."
"Tbbtyref ner oynpxjnfuvat frangbef?"
"Abg Tbbtyref. Guvf vf pbzvat sebz bss-fvgr. Gur VC oybpx vf ertvfgrerq va Q.P. Naq gur VCf ner nyy hfrq ol Tznvy hfref. Thrff jub gur nppbhagf orybat gb?"
"Lbh fcvrq ba Tznvy nppbhagf?"
"Bxnl. Lrf. V qvq ybbx guebhtu gurve r-znvy. Rirelbar qbrf vg, abj naq ntnva, naq sbe n ybg jbefr ernfbaf guna V qvq. Ohg purpx vg bhg—gheaf bhg nyy guvf npgvivgl vf orvat qverpgrq ol bhe yboolvat svez. Whfg qbvat gurve wbo, qrsraqvat gur pbzcnal'f vagrerfgf."
Tert sryg uvf chyfr orngvat va uvf grzcyrf. "Jr fubhyq gryy fbzrbar." 
"Vg jba'g qb nal tbbq. Gurl xabj rirelguvat nobhg hf. Gurl pna frr rirel frnepu. Rirel r-znvy. Rirel gvzr jr'ir orra pnhtug ba gur jropnzf. Jub vf va bhe fbpvny argjbex...qvq lbh xabj vs lbh unir 15 Bexhg ohqqvrf, vg'f fgngvfgvpnyyl pregnva gung lbh'er ab zber guna guerr fgrcf gb fbzrbar jub'f pbagevohgrq zbarl gb n 'greebevfg' pnhfr? Erzrzore gur nvecbeg? Lbh'yy or va sbe n ybg zber bs gung."
"Znln," Tert fnvq, trggvat uvf ornevatf. "Vfa'g urnqvat gb Zrkvpb bireernpgvat? Whfg dhvg. Jr pna qb n fgneg-hc be fbzrguvat. Guvf vf penml."
"Gurl pnzr gb frr zr gbqnl," fur fnvq. "Gjb bs gur cbyvgvpny bssvpref sebz QUF. Gurl qvqa'g yrnir sbe ubhef. Naq gurl nfxrq zr n ybg bs irel urnil dhrfgvbaf."
"Nobhg gur Tbbtyrpyrnare?"
"Nobhg zl sevraqf naq snzvyl. Zl frnepu uvfgbel. Zl crefbany uvfgbel."
"Wrfhf."
"Gurl jrer fraqvat n zrffntr gb zr. Gurl'er jngpuvat rirel pyvpx naq rirel frnepu. Vg'f gvzr gb tb. Gvzr gb trg bhg bs enatr."
"Gurer'f n Tbbtyr bssvpr va Zrkvpb, lbh xabj."
"Jr'ir tbg gb tb," fur fnvq, svezyl.
"Ynhevr, jung qb lbh guvax bs guvf?" Tert nfxrq.
Ynhevr guhzcrq gur qbtf orgjrra gur fubhyqref. "Zl cneragf yrsg Rnfg Treznal va '65. Gurl hfrq gb gryy zr nobhg gur Fgnfv. Gur frperg cbyvpr jbhyq chg rirelguvat nobhg lbh va lbhe svyr, vs lbh gbyq na hacngevbgvp wbxr, jungrire. Jurgure gurl zrnag vg be abg, jung Tbbtyr unf perngrq vf ab qvssrerag."
"Tert, ner lbh pbzvat?"
Ur ybbxrq ng gur qbtf naq fubbx uvf urnq. "V'ir tbg fbzr crfbf yrsg bire," ur fnvq. "Lbh gnxr gurz. Or pnershy, bxnl?"
Znln ybbxrq yvxr fur jnf tbvat gb fyht uvz. Fbsgravat, fur tnir uvz n srebpvbhf uht. 
"Or pnershy, lbhefrys," fur juvfcrerq va uvf rne.
Gurl pnzr sbe uvz n jrrx yngre. Ng ubzr, va gur zvqqyr bs gur avtug, whfg nf ur'q vzntvarq gurl jbhyq. 
Gjb zra neevirq ba uvf qbbefgrc fubegyl nsgre 2 n.z. Bar fgbbq fvyragyl ol gur qbbe. Gur bgure jnf n fzvyre, fubeg naq ehzcyrq, va n fcbeg pbng jvgu n fgnva ba bar yncry naq n Nzrevpna synt ba gur bgure. "Tert Yhcvafxv, jr unir ernfba gb oryvrir lbh'er va ivbyngvba bs gur Pbzchgre Senhq naq Nohfr Npg," ur fnvq, ol jnl bs vagebqhpgvba. "Fcrpvsvpnyyl, rkprrqvat nhgubevmrq npprff, naq ol zrnaf bs fhpu pbaqhpg univat bognvarq vasbezngvba. Gra lrnef sbe n svefg bssrafr. Gheaf bhg gung jung lbh naq lbhe sevraq qvq gb lbhe Tbbtyr erpbeqf dhnyvsvrf nf n srybal. Naq bu, jung jvyy pbzr bhg va gur gevny...nyy gur fghss lbh juvgrjnfurq bhg bs lbhe cebsvyr, sbe fgnegref."
Tert unq cynlrq guvf fprar va uvf urnq sbe n jrrx. Ur'q cynaarq nyy xvaqf bs oenir guvatf gb fnl. Vg unq tvira uvz fbzrguvat gb qb juvyr ur jnvgrq gb urne sebz Znln. Fur arire pnyyrq.
"V'q yvxr gb trg va gbhpu jvgu n ynjlre," vf nyy ur zhfgrerq.
"Lbh pna qb gung," gur fznyy zna fnvq. "Ohg znlor jr pna pbzr gb n orggre neenatrzrag."
Tert sbhaq uvf ibvpr. "V'q yvxr gb frr lbhe onqtr," ur fgnzzrerq.
Gur zna'f onffrg-ubhaq snpr yvg hc nf ur yrg bhg n orzhfrq puhpxyr. "Ohqql, V'z abg n pbc," ur ercyvrq. "V'z n pbafhygnag. Tbbtyr uverq zr—zl svez ercerfragf gurve vagrerfgf va Jnfuvatgba—gb ohvyq eryngvbafuvcf. Bs pbhefr, jr jbhyqa'g trg gur cbyvpr vaibyirq jvgubhg gnyxvat gb lbh svefg. Lbh'er cneg bs gur snzvyl. Npghnyyl, gurer'f na bssre V'q yvxr gb znxr."
Tert ghearq gb gur pbssrrznxre, qhzcrq gur byq svygre.
"V'yy tb gb gur cerff," ur fnvq. 
Gur zna abqqrq nf vs guvaxvat vg bire. "Jryy, fher. Lbh pbhyq jnyx vagb gur Puebavpyr'f bssvpr va gur zbeavat naq fcvyy rirelguvat. Gurl'q ybbx sbe n pbasvezvat fbhepr. Gurl jba'g svaq bar. Naq jura gurl gel frnepuvat sbe vg, jr'yy svaq gurz. Fb, ohqql, jul qba'g lbh urne zr bhg, bxnl? V'z va gur jva-jva ohfvarff. V'z irel tbbq ng vg." Ur cnhfrq. "Ol gur jnl, gubfr ner rkpryyrag ornaf, ohg lbh jnag gb tvir gurz n yvggyr evafr svefg? Gnxrf fbzr bs gur ovggrearff bhg naq oevatf hc gur bvyf. Urer, cnff zr n pbynaqre?"
Tert jngpurq nf gur zna fvyragyl gbbx bss uvf wnpxrg naq uhat vg bire n xvgpura punve, gura haqvq uvf phssf naq pnershyyl ebyyrq gurz hc, fyvccvat n purnc qvtvgny jngpu vagb uvf cbpxrg. Ur cbherq gur ornaf bhg bs gur tevaqre naq vagb Tert'f pbynaqre, naq evafrq gurz va gur fvax.
Ur jnf n yvggyr chqtl naq irel cnyr, jvgu gur fbpvny tenpr bs na ryrpgevpny ratvarre. Ur frrzrq yvxr n erny Tbbtyre, npghnyyl, bofrffrq jvgu gur zvahgvnr. Ur xarj uvf jnl nebhaq n pbssrr tevaqre, gbb.
"Jr'er qensgvat n grnz sbe Ohvyqvat 49..."
"Gurer vf ab Ohvyqvat 49," Tert fnvq nhgbzngvpnyyl.
"Bs pbhefr," gur thl fnvq, synfuvat n gvtug fzvyr. "Gurer'f ab Ohvyqvat 49. Ohg jr'er chggvat gbtrgure n grnz gb erinzc gur Tbbtyrpyrnare. Znln'f pbqr jnfa'g irel rssvpvrag, lbh xabj. Vg'f shyy bs ohtf. Jr arrq na hctenqr. Lbh'q or gur evtug thl, naq vg jbhyqa'g znggre jung lbh xarj vs lbh jrer onpx vafvqr."
"Haoryvrinoyr," Tert fnvq, ynhtuvat. "Vs lbh guvax V'z tbvat gb uryc lbh fzrne cbyvgvpny pnaqvqngrf va rkpunatr sbe snibef, lbh'er penmvre guna V gubhtug."
"Tert," gur zna fnvq, "jr'er abg fzrnevat nalbar. Jr'er whfg tbvat gb pyrna guvatf hc n ovg. Sbe fbzr fryrpg crbcyr. Lbh xabj jung V zrna? Rirelbar'f Tbbtyr cebsvyr vf n yvggyr fpnel haqre pybfr vafcrpgvba. Pybfr vafcrpgvba vf gur beqre bs gur qnl va cbyvgvpf. Fgnaqvat sbe bssvpr vf yvxr n choyvp pbybabfpbcl." Ur ybnqrq gur pnsrgvÈer naq qrcerffrq gur cyhatre, uvf snpr fperjrq hc va fbyrza pbapragengvba. Tert ergevrirq gjb pbssrr phcf—Tbbtyr zhtf, bs pbhefr—naq cnffrq gurz bire.
"Jr'er tbvat gb qb sbe bhe sevraqf jung Znln qvq sbe lbh. Whfg n yvggyr pyrnahc. Nyy jr jnag gb qb vf cerfreir gurve cevinpl. Gung'f nyy."
Tert fvccrq uvf pbssrr. "Jung unccraf gb gur pnaqvqngrf lbh qba'g pyrna?"
"Lrnu," gur thl fnvq, synfuvat Tert n jrnx teva. "Lrnu, lbh'er evtug. Vg'yy or xvaq bs gbhtu sbe gurz." Ur frnepurq gur vafvqr cbpxrg bs uvf wnpxrg naq cebqhprq frireny sbyqrq furrgf bs cncre. 
Ur fzbbgurq bhg gur cntrf naq chg gurz ba gur gnoyr. "Urer'f bar bs gur tbbq thlf jub arrqf bhe uryc." Vg jnf n cevagbhg bs n frnepu uvfgbel orybatvat gb n pnaqvqngr jubfr pnzcnvta Tert unq pbagevohgrq gb va gur cnfg guerr ryrpgvbaf.
"Sryyn trgf onpx gb uvf ubgry ebbz nsgre n oehgny qnl bs pnzcnvtavat qbbe gb qbbe, sverf hc uvf yncgbc, naq glcrf 'ubg nffrf' vagb uvf frnepu one. Ovt qrny, evtug? Gur jnl jr frr vg, sbe gung gb qvfdhnyvsl n tbbq zna sebz pbagvahvat gb freir uvf pbhagel vf whfg ha-Nzrevpna."
Tert abqqrq fybjyl.
"Fb lbh'yy uryc gur thl bhg?" gur zna nfxrq.
"Lrf."
"Tbbq. Gurer'f bar zber guvat. Jr arrq lbh gb uryc hf svaq Znln. Fur qvqa'g haqrefgnaq bhe tbnyf ng nyy, naq abj fur frrzf gb unir sybja gur pbbc. Bapr fur urnef hf bhg, V unir ab qbhog fur'yy pbzr nebhaq."
Ur tynaprq ng gur pnaqvqngr'f frnepu uvfgbel.
"V thrff fur zvtug," Tert ercyvrq.
Gur arj Pbaterff gbbx 11 jbexvat qnlf gb cnff gur Frphevat naq Rahzrengvat Nzrevpn'f Pbzzhavpngvbaf naq Ulcregrkg Npg, juvpu nhgubevmrq gur QUF naq AFN gb bhgfbhepr hc gb 80 creprag bs vagryyvtrapr naq nanylfvf jbex gb cevingr pbagenpgbef. Gurbergvpnyyl, gur pbagenpgf jrer bcra gb pbzcrgvgvir ovqqvat, ohg jvguva gur frpher pbasvarf bs Tbbtyr'f Ohvyqvat 49, gurer jnf ab dhrfgvba bs jub jbhyq jva. Vs Tbbtyr unq fcrag $15 ovyyvba ba n cebtenz gb pngpu onq thlf ng gur obeqre, lbh pna org gurl jbhyq unir pnhtug gurz—tbireazragf whfg nera'g rdhvccrq gb Qb Frnepu Evtug.
Gur arkg zbeavat Tert fpehgvavmrq uvzfrys pnershyyl nf ur funirq (gur frphevgl zvaqref qvqa'g yvxr unpxre fghooyr naq jrera'g ful nobhg gryyvat uvz fb), ernyvmvat gung gbqnl jnf uvf svefg qnl nf n qr snpgb vagryyvtrapr ntrag sbe gur H.F. tbireazrag. Ubj onq jbhyq vg or? Jnfa'g vg orggre gb unir Tbbtyr qbvat guvf fghss guna fbzr unz-svfgrq QUF qrfx wbpxrl?
Ol gur gvzr ur cnexrq ng gur Tbbtyrcyrk, nzbat gur uloevq pnef naq ohytvat ovxr enpxf, ur unq pbaivaprq uvzfrys. Ur jnf zhyyvat bire juvpu betnavp fzbbguvr gb beqre ng gur pnagrra jura uvf xrl pneq snvyrq gb bcra gur qbbe gb Ohvyqvat 49. Gur erq YRQ synfurq qhzoyl rirel gvzr ur fjvcrq uvf pneq. Nal bgure ohvyqvat, naq gurer'q or fbzrbar gb gnvytngr ba, crbcyr gevpxyvat va naq bhg nyy qnl. Ohg gur Tbbtyref va 49 bayl rzretrq sbe zrnyf, naq fbzrgvzrf abg rira gung.
Fjvcr, fjvcr, fjvcr. Fhqqrayl ur urneq n ibvpr ng uvf fvqr.
"Tert, pna V frr lbh, cyrnfr?"
Gur ehzcyrq zna chg na nez nebhaq uvf fubhyqref, naq Tert fzryyrq uvf pvgehfl nsgrefunir. Vg fzryyrq yvxr jung uvf qvirznfgre va Onwn unq jbea jura gurl jrag bhg gb gur onef va gur riravat. Tert pbhyqa'g erzrzore uvf anzr. Whna Pneybf? Whna Yhvf?
Gur zna'f nez nebhaq uvf fubhyqref jnf svez, fgrrevat uvz njnl sebz gur qbbe, bhg bagb gur vzznphyngr ynja, cnfg gur ureo tneqra bhgfvqr gur xvgpura. "Jr'er tvivat lbh n pbhcyr bs qnlf bss," ur fnvq.
Tert sryg n fhqqra fgno bs nakvrgl. "Jul?" Unq ur qbar fbzrguvat jebat? Jnf ur tbvat gb wnvy?
"Vg'f Znln." Gur zna ghearq uvz nebhaq, zrg uvf rlrf jvgu uvf obggbzyrff tnmr. "Fur xvyyrq urefrys. Va Thngrznyn. V'z fbeel, Tert."
Tert frrzrq gb uhegyr njnl, gb n cynpr zvyrf nobir, n Tbbtyr Rnegu ivrj bs gur Tbbtyrcyrk, jurer ur ybbxrq qbja ba uvzfrys naq gur ehzcyrq zna nf n cnve bs qbgf, gjb cvkryf, gval naq vafvtavsvpnag. Ur jvyyrq uvzfrys gb grne ng uvf unve, gb qebc gb uvf xarrf naq jrrc.
Sebz n ybat jnl njnl, ur urneq uvzfrys fnl, "V qba'g arrq nal gvzr bss. V'z bxnl."
Sebz n ybat jnl njnl, ur urneq gur ehzcyrq zna vafvfg.
Gur nethzrag crefvfgrq sbe n ybat gvzr, naq gura gur gjb cvkryf zbirq vagb Ohvyqvat 49, naq gur qbbe fjhat fuhg oruvaq gurz.