Chapter 17My first thought was the sky wasincredibly blue and the oceans of the planet a sparkling brightgreen. But it was the lines of fire across the northern continentthat commanded my attention. I don’t know how our MITTs did it, butred flaming canals crisscrossed the land. In a half-dozenlocations,yellow flames roared skyward. I guessed the locales had beenmilitaryinstallations that had just been blown up.
“No, Mr. Picone, they did not betrayus. They saved us,” I said.
“Yes, sir.” The voice came frombehind me. “I’m sorry I doubted them.”
“I had one or two doubts for a whilemyself. Astrid never did. That’s one reason why I usually listen toher and go with her opinions. She’s rarely wrong.”
“Major, sensors are telling us ofexplosions on the other side of the planet. The general must
