‘Right. There’s another group out there who may attack. We stay here and they can come in at their leisure. I know their leader, Arian Pelter, and am certain that any plans he’s formulating revolve around an attack on us on the ground. Especially as those plans will be dependent on the broken Golem he has with him, one Mr. Crane.’ He shot a look at Aiden and Cento, but could discern no reaction. ‘I’m not prepared to wait for that attack. I came here to do a job, and I’m going to do it. Sergeant, I want you and your men up as spotters and as a first line. I want you, with another man on the turret guns, to take up the carrier and circle the perimeter of the ruins. The rest of your men will operate outside that perimeter, as before. If it looks like anyone is coming in, you inform me immediately and then we form our response to the nature of the attack. This is where Pelter falls down: he can’t do that. He’s ruthless, but stubborn to the point of idiocy. He’ll stick with a plan to the end. We—’ Cormac gestured to Cento, Aiden and Thorn, ‘—will be going in on sky-bikes. If we come out in a hurry you get to the ground and under cover. Your main concern then will be self-preservation. Any questions?’

The sergeant shook his head.

‘Very well, get going.’

‘You want me out of the way,’ said Mika.

Cormac nodded and turned his attention to the dracomen. ‘Dragon wanted you here. You have been useful, but I cannot see what purpose you might serve now. Do you have any suggestions?’

The dracomen stared at him in silence.

‘Very well, Mika, take them with you and stay with that AGC. If we run, be ready to come with us back to the runcible. Let’s go.’

The men broke and headed off into the surrounding trees. Cormac stooped down and picked up the two boxes at his feet. By then the sergeant was already in the carrier. There was a low thrum of AG and a backwash of dust as he took it into the sky. Five sky-bikes followed him up. Cormac gestured to the three with him and walked over to the two remaining sky-bikes.

‘There been any movement in the ruins?’ he asked.

Aiden replied, ‘No movement, but the Maker is certainly in one of the underground silos. Viridian reported a change in energy levels last night during the attack, but that was all.’

‘OK, we’ll land as close as we can get and go in on foot. I want some idea of what we’re dealing with. That at least.’

‘We’re dealing with the thing that killed Gant,’ said Thorn.