"Strip markings," Adari said. "They're usually located to orient folks coming in from the outside. My guess is we're close to a strip or an air lock." "Any idea which one?" Brad asked. "Not from appearances," Adari replied, "but I kept track of our twists and turns to this point, and the way I figure, we're in the western quadrant of the city. The sector has more air locks than the others because it's on the main route to landing pads for the maintenance shops. We've lucked out -- maybe." "What do you mean by 'maybe'? Don't hold back." "The traffic. More people about." The silence was heavy. "If we can make it to an air lock without being challenged," Brad said, "we'll get Ram to a taxi. Hodak, can you rig a taxi to manual control and leave it with enough power for a one-time flight through the depot's cocoon?" Hodak, Zolan and Adari put their heads together. Ram shoved his head in among them, and vigorous hand motions cut the air. Ram nodded as Hodak turned back to Brad. "Can do," he said. "Next item," Brad said. "Ram, can you get your long frame into a standard suit?" "Once we get into the air lock I'll look for the biggest suit on the rack. Then I'll just have to push, pull and squeeze. Won't be the first time." Brad looked up at Kumiko, holding the scope in place. "Got it?" He called up. "Yep." "Comments?" "As long as I'm up here, how about me taking point?" "OK. Now, all of you. Set weapons at max. If we're seen and tied to Ram, the whole operation is compromised. So we'll have no witnesses. Act accordingly." Kumiko pushed the manhole lid aside, climbed out and darted forward to where she could see along the street. She took in the scene quickly. Several people passed on a nearby strip. They did not notice Kumiko. She waited until they passed where they could have seen into the cul-de-sac, then signaled the others up. As Zolan came abreast of Kumiko he drew a pencil-thin tube from a pocket in his tunic. Holding it in one hand he twisted the knurled knob that formed one end, and returned it to his pocket. He winked at Brad who had come up beside him. Brad saw the question in Ram's eyes. "One of Zolan's home-grown gadgets," he said. "Sets up an omni-interference field for a couple of hundred meters. We'll be moving through comm-override chatter until he switches it off." Then to Kumiko, "Which way?" "Left. Air lock. Hundred meters." She crouched and darted away. "Ram, stoop, bend, whatever it takes to shrink. Stay close to the wall for as long as you can. Everyone keep a few meters apart. Hodak, you stay close to Ram and watch the rear. OK, let's do it." Two burly men came around the end of a nearby structure, stopped, stared at Ram as he rose through the manhole, and then at each other. Zolan caught both in a conical burst as they backed away. They fell in silence. Hodak and Zolan dashed forward. Each grasped a set of ankles, hauled the bodies into the cul-de-sac and dumped them down the utility hole.