The aircraft shuddered.
The cockpit speaker crackled.
“Controls restored!”
Keller’s voice.
Everyone exhaled.
I ran forward.
“Can we climb?”
“Yes.”
“Then do it.”
The pilot pulled back.
The aircraft rose above the black coastline.
Below us, Rourke grew smaller.
Then my wrist unit vibrated again.
A message appeared.
**IF YOU LEAVE NOW, NIGHTGLASS FAILS.**
Another line followed.
**AND VALE D/I/ES BEFORE SUNRISE.**
I stared at the words.
“Chief?” Keller asked.
“Circle.”
He looked at me.
“You just told us to climb.”
“I changed my mind.”
Briggs stepped into the cockpit doorway.
“This is a mistake.”
“Possibly.”
“Then why take it?”
I looked down at Caleb.
“Because whoever controlled this aircraft wanted us frightened enough to leave.”
The pilot circled.
Rain streaked across the windshield.
“Take us down manually.”
“You sure?”
“No.”
He nodded.
“That’s reassuring.”
We landed three minutes later.
The wheels struck hard.
The aircraft rolled.
Nobody spoke.
When we stopped, the side door opened.
Cold rain swept inside.
Cole stepped beside me.
“You want me first?”
“No.”
“Chief—”
“If someone intends to k/i/ll me, sending you out first doesn’t improve my morning.”
He stared.
Then laughed once.
Fair enough.
I stepped onto the runway.
