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In Ireland, lifting the object had triggered the release of subhumans trapped within what could only be called time bubbles Near Belem, a localized earthquake had almost shook the cave down upon his head "Ana," he said Hewill happen when I lift this"

"I know," she said "I’ht then" Skyler heaved The object didn’t budge He adjusted his hands and tried again, e of a shout by the tiave up and relaxed

"Let me help," Ana said She stepped forward

"No, no Stay back, I ument in the way her eyes narrowed, but she pursed her lips into a thin line and took one step backward

Skyler adjusted his hands again, this tiers into the edge of the object until the tips turned white, then red

So popped and the artifact lifted from the floor so abruptly he almost fell Ana let out a little yelp of surprise from behind him as Skyler shoved one hand under the object and e The bottom of it must have formed a suction bond with the tile below, because now that the oval had lifted it weighed very little--less than half what the one in Ireland had weighed, he guessed Skyler slipped it into the bag easily, zipped it up, and turned around

Ana shrugged at hi at the corners of her ain surprised at the relatively light weight of the object

Skyler took the narrow bridge in one quick, long stride He turned to Ana again "Let’s--"

She had a finger pressed to her lips, her eyes cast upward at the ceiling

"What is it?"

After a second she shook her head "I don’t know … so’s different I’ It’s stopped"

Chapter Eighteen

Darwin, Australia

31MAR2285

In the end Arkin had offered to pilot the hauler hi the involvement of one of his pilots in the whole endeavor The short hop across the water, undertaken ely autoer had taken upon himself to learn over the years "Don’t have the luxury of hiring young pilots out of the air force anyue hit took off to join one of the scavenger crews, and that was a couple of years ago"

He’d , and neither had Skadz

Twinkles of fading orange sunlight glinted off the water below The flotilla of boats, barges, and improvised rafts that crowded Darwin’s aura-protected shore lifted and fell as a gentle surf pushed beneath the to either man in particular

Skadz looked at her withan op without a real plan

Pruh, see that held his custom-made environment suit "Hmm?" he asked

"All these boats, stuck here," Sam explained "I mean, the life of a sailor is all about the freedom to travel at will, to enjoy the open water, you know? It’s bad enough to have to live your life trapped in one city, but to do so while living on a perfectly "

Skadz rolled his eyes and went back to staring at the roof of the cabin No doubt he was playing out scenarios in his ame before it started

"There she is," Pruainst theHe was looking at the ocean below

"What did they decide?" Sam asked

"Take a look for yourself" He leaned back in his seat so she could see past hie of the flotilla Despite the fact that nearly half of the precious aura generated by the alien cord covered water, the ships that hadthe shore for the siet supplies just like any other dwelling Fish and rainwater would only go so far A few boats, though, anchored farther out So steeply and soon to be relics for the ocean floor Most were fisher in a haul of protein for the hungry city

Pruer pointed at a darkjust a few hundred meters from the flotilla’s border A white shirt tied to one of the antenna e indicated the crew had voted to go along with the plan Arkin and June, seated side by side in the cockpit, both turned and sh June looked decidedly more enthusiastic

She forced her attention back to the subantic"

"Alexander class," Prumble said, "incredible machine With minimal crew it can stay out at sea for aled to say "How often do they go out?"

"More than you’d think Her captain once showed h the periscope I think he was hoping I’d buy theers like you"

"Why didn’t you? They could have been useful"

Prues from too far out"

Skadz held his hand out near Pruers "Oy,to land soon in the belly of the beast"

The big er, lost in thought as the ocean slid past When he turned to face Skadz and Sam, his expression had hardened "Arkin drops us off and stays with the plane with June The three of us will e is, and how long it will take to get inside, we’ll enlist hiirl"

"If he can’t," Sam said, "I hn was another issue entirely, but she let that detail slide

Pruirl and deliver her to the aircraft Heany eyebrows We’ll ether"

"I don’t know," Skadz said, tapping his chin with one finger "I’d feel better if I ith him In case a little force needs to be applied I don’t think Kip is up to that"