I pointed at the ground. The slime had congealed more and was now glowing with a faint gray light. It was inching along, leaving moisture in its wake, but the actual substance was escaping. “We’ve got a very limited amount of time before all that stuff gets together and does something really nasty. Your new boss has a secret weapon to kill this thing and I’d like to use it. We can save the animosity toward each other for later when the big nightmare demon isn’t about to eat Las Vegas.”

Armstrong shook his head. “We have a principal to protect. I have to find him first—”

“I’ll save you the time.” I held up Abomination and pointed at the butt stock. “I had to cave Dr. Blish’s head in with this. Don’t worry. He was already dead. It’s a long story. But as I was saying, secret weapon?”

“Uh…” Armstrong was looking at Abomination. I realized there was still some blood and hair stuck to it. “One of his men had it. Hang on. Comms have been sporadic since the fog showed up.” Armstrong tried his radio. “This is Swift Fury Six. Anyone read me?”

“Swift Fury? You guys really do take yourselves way too seriously.”

But Armstrong had gotten someone. “Where is Command?” he looked over at me. “Because we’ve got something big coming.” I pointed at the floor. “I think from underground…Roger that. We’re on the way.”

“Where?”

“Right out front. There’s a plaza on the street by a bunch of fountains. Know it?”

The others had gathered around us. The Paranormal Tactical team looked exhausted. Every one of them was injured somehow. My people appeared even worse. “Ready? Let’s go,” Holly said.

“One thing first,” I said. This part sucked, and I knew that Holly wasn’t going to like it and Mosh would probably flip out. I turned to Armstrong. “I want to hire Paranormal Tactical for a job.”

“Wait. What?” The poor guy had been having a very confusing day. “Hire us?”

“What the hell are you doing?” Holly asked.

“Whatever your standard rate is, don’t worry. I’m good for it. I got one of the biggest PUFF bounties in history, remember? Two-part deal. First off, send a couple of your men to the top of this place’s parking garage. I’ve got a friend there who might be dead or injured. Get him.” And with these money-grubbing bastards, I felt the need to clarify. “Just to be clear: He’s an orc. But he’s not PUFF applicable, so if you mess with him, I’m not paying you.”

“You got some strange friends,” Armstrong said.

“Second part is more complicated, so listen close. Here’s the deal. The Nachtmar is going to come after me and try to beat me into submission.”

“You? Specifically? Why?” Ultimate Lawyer asked.