The 1st Earth appeared faster than expected.
Mei didn't bother with a gentle descent. The Salty Nut hit the atmosphere hard enough to make the hull groan. Heat rippled across the windows.
Pip grabbed an overhead rail.
Shen stayed strapped into his seat, staring at his black arm like it might eventually explain itself.
Earlier, Pip had asked the obvious question.
"Why are we bringing him?"
Yara's answer had come immediately.
"Because he understands Forge architecture better than anyone alive. And because leaving him unsupervised would be irresponsible."
Nobody had argued after that.
The ship burst through the clouds.
Below them stretched endless forests of pale trees.
At the center stood the original Needle.
White.
Ancient.
Large enough to dominate the horizon.
Mei whistled s
