Cassian didn't stop Damian.
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That was the first sign something was wrong.
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Evelyn noticed it immediately.
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"You're letting him go."
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Cassian didn't look at her.
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"Yes."
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"Why?"
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A pause.
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Then—
"Because he's necessary."
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Silence.
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Evelyn's voice cooled.
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"For what?"
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Cassian finally turned.
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"For pressure."
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A beat.
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"Leon doesn't respond to structure."
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Another beat.
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"He responds to disruption."
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Evelyn understood.
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Damian—
Was no longer outside the system.
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He was becoming—
A variable.
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Dangerous.
Unpredictable.
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Useful.
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And expendable.
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Evelyn's eyes sharpened.
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"You're using him."
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Cassian didn't deny it.
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"Yes."
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The honesty hit harder than anything else.
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Because it meant—
He had already calculated the cost.
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And accepted it.