I tried the door, it was locked. “Where’s the key?” I said.
“There’s no key. It will open automatically at the base.”
I went to one of the other doors, the one the man with the box had entered through. I pulled it open and glanced out. The humming sound was louder and down a short and narrow corridor I saw what appeared to be a pilot’s compartment. A man’s back was visible.
“Come on, Winter,” I said. “Go ahead of me.”
“Don’t be a complete ass, old boy,” Winter said, looking irritated. He turned toward his desk. I raised the pistol. The shot boomed inside the walls of the room, and Winter leaped back from the desk holding a ripped hand. He whirled on me, for the first time looking really scared. “You’re insane,” he shouted. “I’ve told you we’re in the midst of the Blight.”
I was keepin
