around a shrouded object. On the pull down screen behind Lennox’s desk, a projector projected slides containing schematics of something I couldn’t quite make out. It looked like a shop vac or one of those new vacuum cleaners with the tubes that stand upright.The top of the schematic looked familiar though—a roundedness and swoop to the contour.

I was introduced to the others briefly, although no introduction was needed. In the midst of the group, projector light glinting off Lennox and Doyle’s glasses, someone removed the shroud. As the brown vinyl tarp slid off, Lennox stood up and turned on the light. We adjusted our eyes to the brightness.

The brightness caused my esophageal sphincter to tighten yet again. Not a fear so much this time as a frisson. A shock at how small we were. How i...

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