Its myriad legs beat a staccato on the concrete and the automaton clacked and whirred as it scuttled forward. She tried to flee, but it was in vain because a tall chain link fence bisected the alley.

The black cloud enveloped him; the smoke and ash burned his eyes and lungs.

“The field's holding. Twenty-five seconds now.”

He nodded. “Excellent, begin ignition sequence.”

Rain began to fall through the branches and thunder threatened from a distance. He scanned the earth for similar prints and picked up the pace.

Mac tapped on the car window. Sam awoke with a start and his head jerked up from the wheel. “So much for the steak out, huh?”

The ship spiraled languidly in the black void. A fine mist of particles vented from a long dark gash in the hull, while the engines sputtered a feeble red-orange radiance.

The building thrummed and the air crackled from the power the machine emanated. “Is it working?” he asked and whirled to look at his assistants. “Tell me its working!”