The old ranger looks around the desolate New California countryside, seemingly taking measure of it all.

If Murphy and I both run, we split the vote and Aaron wins. He wants the job more than I do, so we came to an agreement. An agreement that requires one missing piece, you.

[There’s the other shoe. Let me guess, you will drop out and endorse Allgood. Assuming he wins, he’ll nominate you as Commander in Chief of all Republic Armed Forces and bestow upon you authority Kimball would never have. I’m going to act as the whip in Congress to pass the emergency powers for Allgood. Is that the play?]

Hanlon looks shocked before anger takes over and he closes the distance too quickly for a man his age.

Now I might kill you, Armstrong. Who the hell squealed?

You find yourself involuntarily taking steps back. You may be 30 years younger, but there’s no doubt he could kill and bury you out here.

[N-No one did! It’s just obvious!]

The anger leaves his face and you literally see the violence leaving his body.

To you, it is. That’s why you’re being offered a way out. Congratulations Senator, your illustrious career will live on. All you need to do right now is feed Allgood any information he can use for his campaign. Leave the rest to us.

He turns to head to where he parked his transport before shouting over his shoulder.

And before you say anything, I know you’re going to take this deal. You wouldn’t have come out otherwise!

You slump down onto the ground, resting against a rusted out coolant pump. For the first time in your life, you feel completely helpless.