Chapter Three: Eighteen Catches and an Invoice from the Future

The base amplification remained, but Zero-Point Reaction was gray. A new line appeared beneath the skill. [NEXT ACTIVATION WILL DEDUCT A HIGHER-VALUE TALENT.] “I can,” Lin said. “But don’t call twenty-one.” “Coach wants—” “The safety bit on the double move. Now he’ll protect the middle at any cost. The tight end won’t get through.” Lin pointed toward Hall. “Give me one shot alone.” Hall heard him and laughed. “You think lightning strikes twice?” Lin ignored him. “Throw it high,” he told Eli. “Put it where only the boundary or I can touch it.” Eli hesitated for half a second, then turned toward the line. Grant roared in his headset. “Run twenty-one! Ward, do you hear me?” Eli touched the side of his helmet and cut the communication.