He had barely heard her; he was glaring up at the ship that emerged from the billowing mist and rain. His thoughts were filled with the screams of his own people -- memories of destruction unimaginable. But even now, as selfish as he was, it wasn't revenge for the dead that he wanted; it was the satisfaction of making the Mechanists hurt for what they had done to everything he had taken for granted.

A flash of yellow light flickered in the sky, then a booming explosion lit up the edge of the city. The screams began as the Mechanists displayed their brute power, to ensure the citizens all understood that the only choice was to bow down or to die.

Raln had no weapon, but he bolted down the street at a full run, splashing through the street toward the rumbling threat. He looked back at Solara, pausing only long enough to shout, "Fly!" He meant she should leave him, get out of the city before she could be spotted.