Chapter Two: The One-Euro Squad

【Dormant gift: second reaction. After an unsuccessful first save, neural response improves nineteen percent. Fatal flaw: knee collapses inward upon landing. Peak window: two years, four months.】 “Doctors say my knee can't survive professional football,” Vaughan said. “They say it can't survive your present landing.” Gu filmed him diving for three padded balls. In slow motion, the knee buckled inward. “We can't afford miracles. We can change mechanics. Short contract, appearance pay, rehabilitation covered.” Vaughan watched the video. For once, he looked at his toes instead of his injured knee. “And if you're wrong?” “You return to the freezer. If I'm right, you play Saturday.”