He frowned for a moment before going back to the file cabinets, fanning through several manilla folders. "Let's see..."
He brought out two forms in page protectors, eyeing the two of them cautiously. "Now, you realize that these are copies. Not originals."
The text was small and hard to read. The initial paragraphs seemed to be general contract requirements, but there was a clause at the end that they had missed, just above their signatures. Francis would see that Poppy's signature, at least, had been done hastily. The undersigned agree to lay down their lives on behalf of their country, Averlin, for as long as they shall live or until the acting director, signed below, relieves them of their duties. The undersigned are required to fulfill all terms of their contract or else face punishment for their treason in the form of execution.
