The Transaero dips through the concealing, dome-like field that hides Balladeer from sight, making it appear as if it were merely more dunes and inhospitable landscape. The remarkable buildings, climbing into the sky like giant blades of illuminated grass, and the streets appear to be abandoned (as reported weeks ago). Exaere circles the sector and eventually lands in front of the steps leading up to the Presidential House.Enoch and a small handful of able Custodians exit the aircraft and make their way down the ramp. On the ground, the sector is far more dismal than they had expected. Rubble litters the street. Vehicles sit abandoned and a number of bodies lie rotten in the morning sun, which already begins to bake what little is left of their fleshy remains. Flies still swarm the carcass
