Flames and acrid smoke still lingered over White Town in the aftermath of Councilor Laurence Mann's desperate sabotage.
In that chaos, Luke and Lenora Quinn stood near the smoldering ruins, discussing what would come next.
Their conversation was cut short by phone calls and urgent messages—Tanya Reed phoned Luke, overcome with worry for the Totem Serpent.
Meanwhile, medical teams were on their way to treat soldiers and staff who had inhaled toxic fumes from the destroyed blood agent depot.
At last, Lenora Quinn prepared to leave, eyes still scanning the dark sky where a swirl of blackish haze testified to the devastation Mann had wrought. She turned to Luke, arms folded.