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crazy, boss. Trust issues? The exoself is not a person.” She shook her head. “What do you need me to do?”
    “I’m attaching a code to the names of the detainees. I know Molly, but not the rest of them. Tell me their names and I’ll pull their histories. Then go to the first S —sympathizers. We’ll feed in some phony backstories.”
    “Haven’t the Feds already seen their profiles?” Mel asked. “Why doctor the information now?”
    “They’re just getting started. Orientation stuff. The Feds haven’t reviewed them individually. But we have to hurry.”
    “Got it,” Mel said. “We’ll start with Molly. Last name Bedél.”
    “Native of the area. Raised by Christians.” Chase studied the same profile the officials would soon read. Then he added something. “She got kicked out of the local church before it shut down. Supported government sanctions forbidding distribution of literature. After that, she became an agent of the WR.”
    “Oh my,” Amos said. “We’re going to lie our way through this?”
    “You’re not lying, I am,” Chase answered. “And I’m allowed to lie. Right? I’m a sinner.”
    “Son, we’re all sinners. We just don’t feel good about it.”
    “I feel good about getting these people free, so I’m going feed to lies to the bad guys,” Chase said. “I’ll deal with the consequences later.”
    “Second name, Finley Moreau,” Mel said. “She’s eighteen. Also a native. Her parents are not believers. Molly’s influence brought her in.”
    “Perfect,” Chase said. “Molly recruited her to work for the WR.” Chase instructed the exoself to add the false information.
    Mel continued the list. “Kirel Previtt. Twenty-nine. Native of the Northeast Territory—Maine. Moved to Herouxville after getting into some trouble with smugglers. Snuck Bibles into illegal shipments to the EU. Fled to avoid prison, but he still lives up top like the rest of the five.”
    “OK, there were drugs in the Bibles. He fled to keep his business going. The Feds caught up and offered him a deal—report on the church or go to prison for the drug dealing.”
    “You’re feeding in the information so fast, Chase,” Amos said. “I’m afraid you’re going to make a mistake.”
    Others had gathered around, whispering behind Chase. Breathing. Couldn’t they back up a little? Despite the pressure, the beat of his lab-grown heart never altered. His blood pressure remained perfect. He could do this.
    “Next name,” he said to Mel.
    “Do these together. They’re brothers. Twins, in fact. Simon and Silas Devereux. Orphans. Their parents were killed when their church fought against its closing. The building was burned to the ground. Twenty-four people died. That was twelve years ago. The boys were four. Now they’re sixteen. They live with unchurched grandparents but sneak off to meet with believers.”
    “They blame the church for their parents’ deaths,” Chase said. “They want revenge.”
    “That’s not true,” a girl cried from the group at Chase’s back.
    He peered into the crowd and spotted the girl “Of course, it’s not true. I’m making this up as I go along.” She couldn’t have been more than sixteen. Poor kid—this was a tough way to live. “I’m trying to get them out. Remember?”
    “I’m sorry, you just sounded so sure of yourself.” She almost smiled. “You sure know how to tell a…You’re good at making up stuff.”
    “I’ve been pretending for years. I guess it was good for something.”
    “What now, boss?” Mel asked.
    “Now we watch and wait.”

5
    Chase, Amos, Mel, and Switchblade moved to the 3D display. Others followed, eager to see what would happen when the Feds in charge of the round-up noted the orders to release the detainees. The orders Chase had wriggled into the system.
    The near compliment of a teenager was the only appreciation shown by the good people of the underground. They’d step off their moral high ground and thank him when