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“And yet the evidence suggests …” Holden said

“You want to talk to ’eht for the obvious thing?”

The questionmore than Prax understood; he could tell that , hesitated, and then nodded toward the doorway

“Let’s get this done,” he said

Holden and Aateway, Prax and Wendell close behind So orders in the room beyond Prax ht Evac They couldn’t let anyone leave until they found Mei

“I counted seven,” one of the Pinkwater soldiers said “Could be more”

“Any kids?” Aain,” Aht his breath, expecting to see the man’s head dissolve in a rain of bullets, but A back when the first shots started

“What are orking with?” Holden asked

“More’n seven,” A this as a choke point, but the fella’s right Either they don’t knohat they’re doing, or there’s so in there they can’t pull back fro critical to defend,” Holden said

A ateway, clanking Ah the doorway The detonation lit the roo Prax had ever heard before The ringing in his ears redoubled

“Could be both,” Amos shouted conversationally fro shattered People were screained technicians like the ones frorenade One of the Pinkwater soldiers leaned out, peering into the haze of s his belly Blood poured between his fingers Wendell pushed past Prax, kneeling by his fallen soldier

“Sorry, sir,” the Pinkwater uard the rear as long as I can”

“Captain Holden,” Wendell said “If we’re going to do so in the other roo inhumanly Prax wondered if they’d had livestock in there The bellowing sounded ale to put his hands over his ears So loud happened Holden nodded

“Amos Soften them up, then let’s head in”