In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful …

Prostrated before the fresh grave, a small figure drew a sobbing breath.

Praise be to Allah the Cherisher and Sustainer of the worlds. Most Gracious, Most Merciful, Master of the Day of Judgment, You alone do we worship and Your aid we seek …

• * * *

Ishikawa and Reyes viewed the scene in the valley beyond the spaceport. “Who is that guy?” Reyes wondered.

“He’s one of the marooned FOGgers. The one who shot me, I believe.”

“Well, once again the Fist of God has screwed us over. The USNE only put out three troopers. They started toward the spaceport, but that mourner distracted two of them. I don’t see the third one anywhere. There are probably still enough people in the first shuttle to make it impossible to capture. And they didn’t even crack the door on the second shuttle. “

Ishikawa sighed and crossed his arms. “Let’s go to Plan B.”

Reyes picked up the microphone. “Attention, all forces. Operation ‘Spit On Your Cookie’ starts in 10 minutes.”