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Tate thought about his proon’s final moments But he would And then he would chase down the Deepwater to avenge her

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Juan stood on the deck of the Oregon next to the HOB, short for Hoverbike It looked akin to one of Gomez’s small drones, only bulked up on steroids This one was more than twelve feet across, with six propellers, two bicycle-style seats with handlebars for both passengers, plus seat belts and stirrups Each of the props was encircled by a protective casing to keep riders’ hands fro sliced by the blades

Linc walked toward hi over his shoulder He had nothing ht, which was a relative teriven the former SEAL’s bulk

“For the record, I’er on this thing,” Linc said

The HOB had no pilot controls on it, another weight-savingthe tiny cauide it

“It’s very stable,” Murph said fro I know about how to fly this thing”

“Did he teach you everything he knows?” Juan asked, specifically using the present tense even though he didn’t know Gomez’s fate yet

“Probably not I’m sure I can work out the rest” He winked at Juan without Linc seeing him

“You better be kidding,” Linc said as he pointedly checked the e bullets for his rifle “This ae, you know”

Murph put up his hands in surrender “I will do my best”

Eddie was the last to join theh-powered binoculars He would be Linc’s spotter Both of thegles around their necks

“It’s going to be chilly up there,” Eddie said, pointing to the top of the glacier where they were headed “Wish I could bring a thermos of coffee”

“Don’t worry,” Murph said “I’ll bring you back down as soon as you give me the word”

Linc and Eddie were going to give Juan advanced warning of the Portland’s arrival The top of the glacier had an expansive view of the fjord below, but it would have taken the two of the to climb to the top over the icy terrain The HOB was the only way to get them up there in time