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Ascension: Xanadu

10 meters below the elevator terminal, the platform crashed to a stop, flinging men and equipment into the air. Beyond, its vertical rails had been twisted by the collapse of the ceiling. Feverishly the attackers scaled the ruined structure, dropping ropes to pull equipment after them.

As they gathered in the terminal, Ishikawa asked, “Is Booker still on the air?”

“Yes,” Reyes said. “Extolling the wonders of Xanadu, with footnotes for cardholders. The city dome makes a good antenna. They’ll be listening and checking their watches for a few more minutes, with luck. Here’s Mother. Who’s that?” A suited figure lay on the pavement in front of her, crushed by a boulder.

“A friend,” Mother said sadly. Reyes was startled to see the triple-circle insignia on the suit.

“… A little cooperation …” Muttered a voice in their headphones.

Ishikawa laughed. “Now they want to talk.”

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