Chapter 18

           `Getwhatyouwentfor?’theconstructasked.

           KuangGradeMarkElevenwasfillingthegridbetweenitselfandtheT-Aicewithhypnoticallyintricatetraceriesofrainbow,latticesfineassnowcrystalonawinterwindow.

           `WintermutekilledArmitage.Blewhimoutinalifeboatwithahatchopen.’

           `Toughshit,’theFlatlinesaid.`Weren’texactlyassholebuddies,wereyou?’

           `Heknewhowtounbondthetoxinsacs.’

           `SoWintermuteknowstoo.Countonit.’

           `Idon’texactlytrustWintermutetogiveittome.’

           Theconstruct’shideousapproximationoflaughterscrapedCase’snerveslikeadullblade.`Maybethatmeansyou’regettin’smart.’

           Hehitthesimstimswitch.

           06:27:52bythechipinheropticnerve;CasehadbeenfollowingherprogressthroughVillaStraylightforoveranhour,lettingtheendorphinanalogshe’dtakenblotouthishangover.Thepaininherlegwasgone;sheseemedtomovethroughawarmbath.TheBraundronewasperchedonhershoulder,itstinymanipulators,likepaddedsurgicalclips,secureinthepolycarbonoftheModernsuit.

           Thewallsherewererawsteel,stripedwithroughbrownribbonsofepoxywheresomekindofcoveringhadbeenrippedaway.She’dhiddenfromaworkcrew,crouching,thefletchercradledinherhands,hersuitsteel-gray,whilethetwoslenderAfricansandtheirballoon-tiredworkcartpassed.