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sanitization is required for Our Stowe.
    She is escorted through two sets of doors into an enormous room where hundreds of people peer through magnifying glasses, as they work with the most delicate of tools, intricately constructing what appear to be....
    â€œEnablers?” asks Stowe.
    â€œOur Stowe perceives the truth as always,” replies Fortin.
    â€œAnd your rate of production?”
    He smiles. “One hundred a day.”
    â€œHow extraordinary.”
    Stowe glances at Willum, but he seems in deep concentration, absorbing every detail in the factory. What does he see?
    â€œWe have an excellent success rate. Only five in every three thousand are faulty.”
    â€œSo last year...”
    â€œThirty-five thousand, seven hundred enablers successfully activated, the Keeper be blessed.”
    â€œYes,” Stowe says. “People are so wayward. Your enablers help to unite all of our citizens.”
    â€œA tremendous focusing tool,” Fortin says. “The clerics’ efficiency has tripled since they were enabled. The device has incredible potential. We’ve only just begun to explore its many possible uses. Terribly exciting, don’t you think?”
    â€œYes. Terribly,” Stowe agrees, now understanding Willum’s keen interest in this site—and in Fortin. This groveler puts on a show: what appears a lowly position—Manager of a factory—is, in fact, one of the most important in the Conurbation, one that’s in the process of expanding. How?
    The Manager leads her down countless aisles of technicians working with deep concentration and a smile of satisfaction on their faces, all encouraged by the bulges behind their ears. Not a worker in the building is without. In fact, all citizens in service positions for the Conurbation have enablers—except Gunthers: the electricity they work with interferes with the field the devices generate. Darius has been fascinated with the enablers ever since he invented them; constantly laboring to improve their function and increase their application. And judging by what Fortin’s said, the Eldest has even more developments in mind.
    As the whistle blows, Stowe is guided up a flight of metal stairs to a balcony overlooking the manufacturing area. The workers, gathering below, gaze up at her in adoration.
    Fortin booms out to the crowd. “Our Stowe has blessed us with the radiance of her presence. Her light illuminates our glorious future. Our Stowe.”
    Every worker cheers. Fortin offers his hand, guiding her onto steps of the amplification platform. How gullible she has been. All those blissful faces worship her, yes. Of course they do. Master Fortin enables them to. And she has been seduced by the adulation. How clear that’s becoming. The Masters seek to coddle her, to keep her trusting, vulnerable to their coercion. What would happen if they identified her as the enemy? What then? Would all the enabled be summoned to tear her to shreds? No doubt.
    â€œI’m so honored to be here, among such talented, committed people. I know that Darius and the Masters of the City value your work enormously. As I do.”
    More cheers and applause.
    â€œBeing here like this, so near to you, seeing you at your workplace, witnessing your brilliant accomplishments, fills me with great pride and excitement. I feel so close to all of you. Each and every one of you I carry in my heart because we form a family. And I am little sister to you all.”
    â€œStowe! Stowe! Stowe!”
    Stowe, poster-girl for the Masters, for the first time since her factory tours began, feels the ovation for what it is: the trigger response of a controlled population. A well of sadness rises to catch in her throat and she instantly dismisses it. Not allowed, you idiot. You cannot go weak. This is how Darius keeps you under his thumb. Needing, needing. No more. No.
    Taking Stowe’s arm in his, Willum guides her to the exit, but not before