The Jourmungandr was nearby now; that was evident in the frequent tremors and the blazing sky. Prof. Xi estimated that the atmosphere would become incapable of sustaining life in another twenty minutes or so, after which the reserve oxygen in the expedition’s tanks would be the only option.

“Biomechanics at this scale,” said deBlij, chucking ruefully as he uncorked his last bottle of wine. “I never would have guessed it, even after all we’ve seen.”

“Is now really the time for drinking?” said Lozowiak.

“Of course!” deBlij said, pouring the wine into a silver cup. “Xi’s device will either work or it won’t. Worrying about it at this point is pointless. We’ll either see the thing driven off, or we can toast the toothy horizon looming up to swallow us all whole.”

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