Roth nodded, and tried to ignore the memory of why. Ewan West had beaten him in that duel in the burning experiment chamber, shooting him four times in his invisible Kevlar and leaving him to burn. His enemies had every reason to believe he had died that night, especially since the only Underdog who had seen him after the duel had died before he could speak to his allies.

‘What do you want me to do?’ he asked.

‘That countryside hideout they have… Spitfire’s Rise, I think they call it.’

Surely he’s not asking…

‘Sir, there must be a million square miles of—’

‘I’m going to give you until the end of the day,’ Grant interrupted, ‘and then you’re leaving New London. Take as many soldiers as you see fit, and whatever resources you feel you need. And do not return to this Citadel until you have found Spitfire’s Rise and destroyed it.’

3

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