Reyes and Henson had come to Mother’s aid too late. “Who was she defending?” Henson wondered.

Reyes pulled debris aside, revealing the helmet of a powerful, four-armed power armor suit. “Reckall,” he read the man’s nameplate. “A USNE lieutenant. Wait a minute, I’ve seen this guy. He was killed by a cave-in under the city.”

“Is he a clone?”

“He’s something strange,” Reyes mused. Screens and instruments flashed inside the helmet. “I think he’s still fighting—somewhere.” The man inside glanced up and gave him a penetrating look before resuming work.

Reyes called Ishikawa. “I think we have something better than a shuttle. Maybe we could parley.”

“Or does he have us?” Henson wondered.