Prologue
Olee stared blankly around the silent, empty room. She remembered when it was filled with people, bustling chatter resonding in the air. Now they were gone, and she was alone. She remembered her friends' final moments here, hurried and anxious they had made desperate plans, but all in vain. And now only she was left.
This trip had not been what she expected. She never thought it would end like this.
As the pain gripped her once more she turned to face the device. They would be coming soon, as would the final end to her saga. But although fear mingled with pain in her heart, she almost looked forward to the relief her end would bring. At least she would be free of the burden she had carried so long, free of all her past mistakes.
She looked down at the bomb in her hand. This was her destiny, she knew, and yet she couldn't help wondering whether this last hope would work. There was one comforting thought though: through her death her friends, and their future, might survive. Might. And yet that was a chance she had to take. It was the least she could do.
Suddenly the harsh grating of the device screeched in her ears. This was it. They were coming. She shut her eyes, her fingers poised ready to activate the bomb. And with her final breath, she wished for peace at last...
