Half-way there, a single harpoon shot blasted off from one of the batteries at the pole. All shining white metal, it rose into the clear, cold air upon a column of cloud to reach a height of four hundred metres. It was already angling back down to the ice as it flashed over them, soundless in its supersonic rush. It was clearly targeting the ruined lander. It struck a few seconds later. This time, there was an explosive payload; the detonation burst apart the air, the shock wave through the ice sending both of them stumbling to the ground.
She caught Ondo"s eye, and a look of understanding passed between them. Concordance did want them alive, and it was making sure they had no way off the planet. They could do nothing but continue to the pole.
The Void Walker stood motionless as they a
