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“A controlled outward explosion,” Kurt said “Basically, a giant sucking sound that ends with us flying out through the shatteredand free-falling toward the ocean for approximately ten minutes Which will seem rather pleasant when compared to the sudden stop at the bottom”

“Don’t want to do that,” she said

“Neither do I,” he replied “If we’re going to take over the plane without a struggle, we need to upgrade our weapon status”

With Leilani trailing hi to find so more lethal

As he dug into the first pallet, the high-pitched whine of the engines slowed and dropped an octave or two The odd, slightly weightless feeling of an aircraft nosing over from cruise to descent cae airliner

“We’re descending,” Leilani said

“Must be getting close,” Kurt said “We’d better hurry”

CHAPTER 34

THE FLOATING ISLAND OF AQUA-TERRA WAS UNDER NEW e, even Otero and Matson were feeling the heat

Many decks below, Paul Trout walked the confines of Marchetti’s five-star brig, taking inventory of the surroundings It ca and coe chair and a juice dispenser

“A juice dispenser,” Paul said incredulously

“Good idea,” Marchetti said, calling to hiuava-pineapple while you’re up”

Paul looked over at their host He was arching his back like a cat rubbing on the furniture as the chair’s shiatsu tumblers moved up and down his spine

“Oh, that feels good,” he ht there”

On the one hand, it struck Paul as the height of absurdity; on the other hand, he couldn’t wait for Marchetti to get done so he could have a turn Fighting the fire had knotted up his back so fierce