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Page 399
by the pillar of fire he could see roiling up into the sky from the airstrip. There could be no mistaking what it was. The incoming Starlifter had crashed and was burning, lighting the surrounding area. The underside of the low, wind-driven clouds was a brilliant crimson, streaked with black.
From the main compound and the flight line came the familiar shrill and desperate clangor of emergency vehicles demanding the right of way.
Anna, in boots, parka, and a blanket, was suddenly beside him. "It's the plane from Montreal," she said in horror. "The two observers from the CCND who missed the press plane were to come in on it."
"Yes," he said absently. "And the divers." Well, that's it, he thought. The only ones left are Karmannand me. A Hummer sped by, driven by an officer of the American medical staff, accompanied by three corpsmen. Morgan said, "I have to go find Karmann." He went back into the tent, reached for his weather gear, and finished dressing.
Anna followed and watched him, still clutching the blanket. "Does this mean" She fell silent. I know exactly what this means. What more could go wrong, she thought. Are the Inuit right, and has this become an accursed place?
"Worry about that later. Dress."
"Yes. I'll get my cameras and join you."
Morgan finished dressing and burst from the tent, only to turn around, come back, and hold Anna tightly for a moment. She clung to him. There were no words.
The fireball burned fiercely just beyond the fabric of the tent roof, but no heat reached them.
"Damn it all, Anna," Morgan said past clenched teeth. "I love you."

 
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