“Assemble the gun!” he yelled over the voice-com as he planted his energy cannon firmly into the sand beside him.

Soldiers scrambled around him, some raising shields to protect their workspace. They affixed five additional energy cannons to the first in a shape reminiscent of a revolver’s chambers, and connected other pieces of machinery and stabilizing structures. They quickly built a huge rapid-fire cannon.

Two dozen more helicopter gunships descended from the clouds. They encircled Mishi-pizhiw and opened fire, concentrating their barrage on the horned serpent’s head. He banked from side to side, trying to dodge their guns, but with the ships raining bullets down from every direction, he could do nothing but plunge back into the waters.

Bugz used the momentary distraction to duck back behind the boulders. She closed her eyes and summoned backup. Soon, the lake rippled with waves as a phalanx of diamondback sturgeon sped quickly to the shore. The first three of these humongous bottom-feeders plowed into the closest Clan:LESS soldiers. Shield or not, the impact was deadly. Gamertags rose to the heavens.

Another wave of sturgeon attacked, but this time the massive mega–Gatling gun was operational. It whirred to life and pitched a rapid, repeating stream of energy bolts directly at the sturgeon bearing down on the Clan:LESS warriors, destroying the gigantic fish.

The skies opened, revealing a new moon and starry night. From this hole in the sky, a fleet of twenty Thunderbirds descended. They screamed as they dive-bombed the helicopter gunships. With the element of surprise on her side, the lead Thunderbird sent one chopper spiraling down to the earth with several well-timed thunderbolts. The aircraft exploded on impact. The gamertags of all those aboard escaped the wreckage. The remaining helicopters regrouped and launched a counteroffensive against the birds. They succeeded in knocking two birds from the sky, evening the odds slightly. Another Thunderbird broke from the pack and swooped down to retrieve Bugz from her hiding place.

With shoulders slumped, Bugz slunk away from the fighting. She knew the horde had found the nest under Lake of the Torches without her noticing. Bugz could feel the balance of power across the ’Verse shifting away from her.

CHAPTER 41

The Thunderbird carried Bugz in a long looping arc over the lake waters before swinging back toward the battle. As she did, the immense carnage of the scene below came into view.

Dozens of sturgeon floated in the water, each white belly turned to the sky announcing the defeat of an underwater dinosaur. Bugz thought of each one, the time she’d spent creating them; now they’d died without attention or ceremony.