With their gas masks fastened to their faces and the EMP, secure in its sturdy metal casing, the hundred-plus make it back to the Transaero, the only functional vehicle in Balledeer (Lucile saw to it that leaving the sector would be impossible for any who survived the attack) and all strap in.Exaere takes his position in the flight deck and brings the craft to life; its thrusters turning up clouds of dust as they propel the company into the tainted air. The craft jets forward, the sun climbing steadily in the sky to the right. Soaring over Balladeer, like a bug zipping between robust blades of grass, Arel glances out the window and spies a faint black dot in the center of the sun. It grows steadily and then hastens until the warning lights blare on the screen. Exaere, being paranoid, thank
