[ Close and familiar inspection will also reveal the lack of certain tiny movements. The absence of living flesh means the absence of painfully deteriorating cells means the absence of minute trembling in those gloved hands. ]

"Supporting role" is a lovely way to say that I would have let you die in nuclear hellfire, [ he says, still pleasant, a little wry, and totally devoid of remorse. That death was never the goal, but it was a perfectly acceptable price to walk the path to the end, to guide humanity to its final wish. Would totes attempt mutual annihilation again. ] You would have seen me much sooner, that way.

[ He nudges one of the fallen chess pieces--a white pawn--with a boot toe. ]

But you wouldn't have liked dying before you could try.