">> "is this cup half empty or half full, Mr. Tighe?" << "It's completely full if you include the air" — James Tighe" - Daniel Suarez

Something was beyond wrong. Sebeck looked at the faces of the agents and police arrayed around him. There was abject hatred in their eyes. Burning anger. He knew that look. It was the look reserved for the vilest criminals. They were closing in from two directions — leaving a clear field of fire. Twenty or thirty heavily armed men. Sebeck glanced at Ross, who already had his hands on his head. “What the hell is going on, Jon?” “I don’t know. But the Daemon’s got something to do with it.” “This is your last warning! Put your hands on your head, or we will open fire!” Sebeck felt his blood rising. He put his hands on the back of his head but looked to Ross. “Why are they looking at me?” “I don’t know.” The Feds hit Sebeck like linebackers.

When the survival strategy of a civilization is invalidated, in all of human history none have ever turned back from the brink.

35°32’6.85”N, 117°33’31.94”W