quisling

Unexpectedly, the Solars are notified that the Celestial Lions have lifted the restrictions on departure. The gates of Heaven are once again open, and eager Celestials flood forth in twos and threes, and often fives. Creation is waiting, and they are eager as ever to impose their own vision upon its chaos.

No word about the reason is given - nothing other than news that the Dark Star has been dealt with. And, curiously, there is no sign of Ramar.

In Yu-Shan, beyond boundaries meant to keep festival attendees and guests of heaven out, are neighborhoods long abandoned over the years. War, famine, pestilence, death... all of these things have worn away at the edges of Creation. When people stop believing, the bureaucracy folds in on itself, casting aside what is deemed unnecessary. Here, gods no longer employed dwell. Beings long lost to mortal minds watch as someone moves past them. Two someones in fact.

A few points are clarified by speaking with Havesh the Vanisher, as Davron studies the machine. First, that a working model was not present in Jerak's hidden cache, at least that Havesh remembers - the only things there were notes and parts, and those were destroyed in an explosion when he booby-trapped the cave.

And second, that he does not know who entered that cave, only when they did.

The black-clad figure at the Subway stalks forward, watching the lunch-hour patrons flee for their lives. Shattered glass lies all over the floor inside.

Floyd gets up from his seat, hand disappearing inside his jacket. "Why are you here?" he growls.

"Just wanted to show off my new toy," the figure answers insouciantly, flicking its fingers. It has no face; instead, it seems to be wearing a full-body suit of something black and textureless.

Colin scratches his head. Their wounds have been administered too in various ways. Both passengers of the unfortunate jet lay on the floor of the cargo hold, unconscious. "I say we find the nearest public hospital, and drop them off as quickly and quietly as possible..."