As the soldiers move in, something runs at them, out of the tunnel, frighteningly fast. There's a burst of automatic fire. "Hold that!" yells Howe, as the revenant comes apart in a tumbling rain of dust and bones. "Batons!" A pair of troops step forward, holding heavily customized cattle prods before them—electrical shock-rods, customized with signal generators to loosen the grip of extradimensional horrors on their walking hosts. There's a snap and crackle of sparks as they test their tools.

"You think he's down there," Mo says quietly.

Major Barnes nods. "Cultists. They go to ground for their rituals."

Up ahead, Scary triggers his shock-stick, sparking the terminals: he grins at Howe. "I love the smell of—"

"Don't say it, son, unless you want a week on toilet duty."

"Aw, Sarge." He steps forward, bending to follow the lead team into the cellar. "That's harsh."

There are no living bodies in the tunnel. Some of the possessed are still stirring feebly, their luminous eyes guttering in the darkness, but the flying wedge of soldiers with shock-sticks shut them down in short order: it's easier than clubbing baby seals.

At the end of the tunnel they come to an open door. Now there's noise, and the troops take up position to either side of the entrance, ready for a forced entry. But while they're waiting, Dr. O'Brien and Major Barnes arrive. Mo holds her violin, ready for a killing chord. Barnes glances at her, then waves Howe back from the right-hand side of the door. "What do you think?" he asks quietly.

"It stinks, sir. You saw the sov kit back there?"

"I did. I reckon we've got company. More to the point, we haven't found our boy yet. Could be a hostage situation."

"Shit. I'll tell Moran to bring up the snoop kit—"

Mo's eyes are hollow shadows in the darkness. "Major?"

"What is it?"

She points at the entrance with a hand half-folded around something. "He's definitely in there." She unfolds her hand, palm upwards to reveal the cracked and battered screen of Bob's iPhone, icons glowing balefully in the darkness. "Got a soul tracker on this thing. He's alive, and he's not alone—"

Which is when the screaming starts.

ALEXEI IS BECOMING ANNOYED.